Oct 29

More Halloween Hauntings

Halloween is just a few days away.

A few years ago I wrote a blog post, Haunted Mercer County, which turned out to be a fairly popular post. People still write me about it. We had fun researching that post, visiting those local haunts, trying to verify the supernatural stories or debunk them.

I was looking though Haunted Ohio IV, one book in the series by Chris Woodyard, looking for information about other haunted places in our area.

The book mentions the Curse of Saint Michael, a curse connected to a white marble statue of the Archangel Michael, located in the Catholic cemetery in St. Marys. The Curse of Saint Michael will kill those who look into his eyes. A girl was reportedly paralyzed by just looking into its eyes.

Assuming this legend refers to the town of St. Marys in neighboring Auglaize County, Gethsemane Cemetery is the Catholic cemetery there.

We visited Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery to take a look and found a life-sized statue of an angel near the west entrance, the Mooney family plot. Although weathered and gray, it looks as though the angel was once a white statue.

Mooney memorial, Gethsamane Catholic Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio. (2021 photo by Karen)

The Archangel Michael is a defender in battle and usually holds a sword. This statue may have held a sword in its right hand at one time, but unfortunately, his right hand is missing.

I stared into the face of the statue through my camera lens and walked away unscathed.

Mooney monument, Gethsemane Catholic Cemetery, St. Marys, Ohio. (2021 photo by Karen)

A haunting tale has been spread about a couple in another local cemetery in Van Wert County. The impressive monument of Philip and Jane Kuhl is located in Woodlawn Cemetery, on the edge of Ohio City. Life-sized statues of both Philip and Jane stand at each end of a sarcophagus. Philip and Jane each hold an item in their hands.  

Kuhl monument, Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio. (2005 photo by Karen)

The legend tells that Philip used the rope he is holding to hang Jane. But before Jane died she used her sewing scissors to stab Philip in the heart. Supposedly they both died together, about the same time.

In actuality, they were a nice, happy, ordinary farm couple. When you look closely at the statues you will see that Philip is holding wheat stalks and Jane is holding her sheep-shearing scissors.

Philip Kuhl holding wheat stalks. (2005 photo by Karen)

Jane Kuhl holding sheep shears. (2005 photo by Karen)

Besides, the couple died years apart. Philip in 1908 and Jane in 1920.

Story debunked.     

In my Halloween blog post a few years ago I talked about Mercer County’s Cry-Baby Bridge, located on Palmer Road near Mendon. Mercer’s Cry-Baby Bridge is one of several bridges with that same name in the state of Ohio. Bridges that share that name are located all over the state, the nearest being northwest of Bellefontaine, one in Preble County, and another in Darke County. A name like Cry-Baby Bridge conjures up all sorts of images and is probably a good name for a bridge with a notorious story.  

Cry-Baby Bridge, Palmer Road, Mendon, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Finally, below is a ghostly photo given to me by an acquaintance some years ago. The family was visiting a cemetery in Kentucky where some of their ancestors are laid to rest. They said the day of their visit was very hot, clear, and still. No wind was blowing, but as they approached the cemetery a slight gust of wind from out of nowhere blew into their faces and moved some leaves on the trees. They felt a chill. They felt a presence. Later, when looking at the photos they took that day, the family was shocked to see strange white puffs floating in the air near the cemetery. The thing is, they never saw any white puffs near the cemetery when they were there on that clear day.

Did they have a supernatural encounter with their ancestors?     

Houck Cemetery, Kentucky.

Happy Halloween!

 

Oct 26

Tombstone Tuesday-Halloween Edition

Halloween is less than a week away and there is no better time to highlight some tombstone art that conjures up Halloween images.

King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston (2009 photo by Karen)

You will not usually see tombstone symbols like these around here. Most of these tombstone photos were taken in Boston cemeteries and the markers date back to the 1600s. Many are carved in slate.

The skull and crossbones symbolize mortal remains. Individuals died and their bones were all that remained. The Puritans had a lot of influence during this time.  

Granary Burying Ground, Boston, (2009 photo by Karen)

As time went on the skull image was depicted with a pair of wings and is known as the winged death head. It symbolizes physical death and spiritual regeneration. The winged death head shows the soul fleeing mortality and winging its way to the afterlife. Note the hourglass above the skull, symbolizing the passing of time, the shortness of life, and that time has run out.

Winged Death Head, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston (2009 photo by Karen)

This tombstone shows the Grim Reaper and the Death Angel snuffing out the flame of life. Note the angel figure is holding an hourglass.    

Grim Reaper & Death Angel, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston (2009 photo by Karen)

The soul effigy symbol, or winged cherub, appeared in the late 1600s and features a softer face with human features. The soul effigy image represents the soul winging its way to heaven.

Soul Effigy, King’s Chapel Burying Ground, Boston (2009 photo by Karen)

Tombstone art continued to evolve and one of the earliest gravestone carvings in our area was the weeping willow tree, which became popular in the early 1800s.  

 

Oct 22

Digging a Pond, 1974

Across the road from Zion Lutheran Church in Schumm is a nice home and farm buildings, owned by Ned Alspaugh in the 1970s and beyond. West of the barn is a pond, dug in 1974.  

Farm ponds are popular. They are pretty. They are a source of recreation, sustain wildlife, birds and fish, as well as a source of water in case of a house or barn fire. We even have a pond in our back yard.

Bennett pond

It seems the farm pond boom took off in the 1960s and 1970s, likely in part because pond-digging equipment became more readily available. It became trendy to have a farm pond, particularly in areas that were low or swampy.

My uncle Alvin Krueckeberg had earth-moving equipment and he dug many farm ponds in the area, including my Grandpa Schumm’s pond, our pond, and Ned Alspaugh’s farm pond.

My mom and dad took these photos of Alvin Krueckeberg excavating and digging Ned Alspaugh’s pond in 1974. You can see Zion Lutheran Church and cemetery in the background, their parsonage, and other farm buildings across the road.

Alvin Krueckeberg digging Ned Alspaugh pond, 1974.

Alvin Krueckeberg digging Ned Alspaugh pond, 1974.

Alvin Krueckeberg digging Ned Alspaugh pond, 1974.

Below is a 2020 aerial Google Earth photo of the former Alspaugh farm and Zion Lutheran Church. From above, the finished pond looks totally different from the photos taken during its construction.

Zion Lutheran, Schumm, former Alspaugh farm and pond, Google Earth image, dated 6 March 2020.

My uncle Alvin Krueckeberg (1928-2019) excavated many farm ponds in our Ohio-Indiana area. And we certainly appreciate our pond, along with the birds, waterfowl, and wildlife.

Unfortunately, we did not take any photos when he dug our pond.

 

Oct 19

Tombstone Tuesday-Johann Martin Geier

Johann “Martin” Geier, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Martin Geier, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Johann
Martin
Geier
Geb. Den 25
Sept. 1816
Gest den 22
Dec. 1902
Alter
86 J, 2 M, 27 T

Johann Martin Geier, born 25 Sept 1816, died 22 Dec 1902, age 86 years, 2 months, 27 days.

According to the death and burial records of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, “Martin” Johann Geier was born 25 September 1816 in Oberaspach, District Schwabisch Hall, Wuerttemberg. His surname was sometimes spelled Gaier in Zion’s records but for this post I am using the Geier spelling. [1]

Martin Geier married Margaretha Grund 8 February 1853 at Zion. [2] Margaretha was the step-daughter of H.G. [name unreadable]. Martin and Margaretha had several children and she died during childbirth on 15 October 1861.

Known children of Martin and Margaretha (Grund) Geier:
Rosina Elisabetha Geier (1854-1914), married John Weinmann
Johann Eberhardt Geier (1857-1857)
Catharine Rosine Geier (1857-1922), married Henry Roehm [3]
Johann Jakob Geier (1859-) 
Johann George Geier (1861-1861)

The Martin Geier family in 1860: Martin, 44; Margaret, 30; Rose Ann, 5; Catharine, 3; and John, 4 months. Martin was a farmer. Both Martin and his wife Margaret were born in Wuerttemberg and their children were born in Ohio. [4]

Martin Geier’s second marriage was to Susanna Fischer and they were married at Zion Schumm on 8 May 1862. Martin and Susanna had two children, George Christoph Jacob Geier (1863-1942) and George Geier, born 5 May 1865, died 31 August 1865. Martin’s second wife Susanna (Fischer) Geier was born 21 August 1842 and died 1 September 1865, the day after their second son died. She was 23 years old.

Martin Geier’s third marriage was to widow Eva Katharine (Windsheimer) Hoffmann, the widow of Johann Hoffmann (1824-1865). [5] Martin and Eva Katharine were married at Zion Schumm on 8 May 1866 and they had at least two children, Maria Geier, born 22 February 1867, married Michael Kuehm, died 14 April 1944; and Magdalena Geier, born 11 October 1869, married Willis Putman, died 21 June 1921. Martin’s third wife Eva Katharine (Windsheim) Geier died from a back injury on 1 January 1870, at the age of 39 years, 4 months, and 3 days.

In 1870 widower Martin Geier, five of his children, and John and Magdalena Bienz and their family all resided together: Martin Geier, 55; Rosina Geier, 15; Catharine Geier, 12; Jacob Geier, 7; Mary Geier, 3; Magdalena Geier, 3 months; John Bienz, 47; Magdalena Bienz, 35; John F Bienz, 17; George E Bienz, 15; Rosina C Bienz, 13; Anna BC Bienz, 11; John JC Bienz, 9; Henry W Bienz, 5; and Mary Bienz. [6]

Martin Geier’s fourth marriage was to Maria Ursula Rohr, married 13 November 1870. Maria Ursula Rohr was born 15 August 1815 in Ottenheim, Oberant Luhr, Wuerttemberg. She died of cholera on 23 July 1890, aged 74 years, 11 months, and 22 days.

In 1880 the Martin Geier family lived in Jefferson Township, Adams County, Indiana: Martin, 63; Mary, 64; Jacob, 17; Mary, 13; and Lena, 10. Martin was a farmer. [7]

By 1900 widower Martin Geier had moved back to Willshire Township and was living with the Henry Roehm family, which was his daughter Catharine’s husband and children: Henry Roehm, 47; Catherine Roehm, 42; Elmeda MR, 19; Bertha A, 18; Della G, 16; Nora E, 13; Hilda H, 11; Louisa H, 10; Alvina M, 8; Theodor H, 5; Edward AM, 2; and Martin Geier, 84. This enumeration indicates that Martin immigrated in 1852. [8]

Martin Geier died of old age on 22 December 1902, at the age or 86 years, 2 months, and 27 days. He was buried on the 24th.

Johann “Martin” Geier, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

The deaths Martin Geier’s four wives were recorded in Zion Schumm’s records and they were very likely buried in Zion’s cemetery. However, it appears that none of their tombstones have survived.

Additional research could certainly be done on these intertwined families.

[1] Most of the vital information about Martin Geier, his marriages, and his children are from Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm’s records.   

[2] Zion Lutheran Schumm marriage record gives her name as Eckert at the time of their marriage.

[3] Johann Eberhardt Geier and Catharine Rosine Geier were not twins. Johann was born in January 1857 and Catharine Rosine was born in December 1857.

[4] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.425, dwelling 1064, family 1058, Martin Gier; digital image by subscription Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ : viewed 18 Oct 2021).

[5] Eva Katharine had five children with her first husband Johann Hoffmann:
Christian Hoffmann/Hofmann (1854-1919), married Lena Schinnerer
Rosina “Elisabeth” Hoffmann (1857-1913), married Abraham Pflueger
Johann George Hoffmann (1859-1942), married Malinda Miller
Christian Adam Friedrich Hoffmann (1861-1864)
Hannah Rosine Magdalena Hoffmann (1863-?), married Fredrick Glessing

[6] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.439B, dwelling 135, family, Martin Gire; digital image by subscription Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : viewed 18 Oct 2021).  

[7] 1880 U.S. Census, Jefferson, Adams, Indiana, ED 133, p.54A, dwelling & family 122, Martin Guyer; digital image by subscription Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6742/ : viewed 18 Oct 2021).

[8] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.11, dwelling 27, family 222, Henry Roehm; digital image by subscription Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 18 Oct 2021).

 

Oct 15

Grandpa’s Golf Cart

Golf carts have always been popular with golfers but recently they have become even more popular with people, not for golfing, but just to get around in their community. Golf carts look to be a handy and fun way to get from place to place. Just hop in and ride around in the open air. They are fuel efficient, too.

We noticed their popularity a few years ago in Portland, Indiana. They were everywhere, in town as well as at their annual engine show. Then we noticed golf carts in Berne, in Rockford, and now in Celina. Yes, Golf carts are very popular and handy.

A family member recently purchased this nice, sporty-looking golf cart.

Not to brag, but my grandpa Cornelius Schumm was way ahead of today’s popular golf cart craze. Grandpa Schumm had a golf cart back in 1984. And he was not a golfer. He used it to drive around his farm. I doubt that he ever drove it to Willshire, though.

Cornelius Schumm in his golf cart, 1984.

While Grandma Schumm was taking care of the household chores grandpa’s favorite place to pass the time was in his garage. His garage was all the way across the barnyard, on the other side of the barn, and quite a walk for an elderly person. So having a little motorized vehicle to drive to and from his garage and around the farmyard worked great for grandpa, who was not getting around very well in his later years. It was a good way to help keep him mobile.

Cornelius Schumm, 1984.

These photos were taken in 1984 but I am not sure how long grandpa had his golf cart before this. I know he was proud of it and enjoyed riding it around the barnyard. Grandpa passed away a couple years later, in 1986.

Golf carts have certainly changed over the years. And don’t bother to ask about the car. I have no idea who owned that car, although it doesn’t look like a 1984 model. It looks like a very cool car, though. 

My parents drove a Gator around their lot and it suited their needs better than a golf cart.

Herb & Florence Miller on Gator, c2011

My dad really liked his Gator and usually had the bed loaded with gallons of dirt or water jugs to water plants.

Herb Miller with Gator, 2011.

Good times and good memories!