Nov 09

Tombstone Tuesday-Elizabeth (Boroff) Smith Schumm

Elizabeth (Boroff) Smith Schumm, Tomlinson Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Elizabeth (Boroff) Smith Schumm, located in Tomlinson Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Mother
Elizabeth Smith
Schumm
1886-1962

Hester “Elizabeth” Boroff was born in Dublin Township, Mercer County, Ohio, on 20 September 1886, the daughter of William I. and Mary Catherine (Coil) Boroff. [1] Her mother died in 1889 and her father married Effie Hale in 1891.

The William Boroff family in 1900: William, 43; Effie J, 41; Ida B, 16; Hester E, 13; Adam G, 12; and Basil Franklin, 4 months. William Boroff was a farmer. [2]  

Elizabeth Boroff married Edwin Augustus Smith in Van Wert County on 16 January 1907. Edwin was the son of W.L. and Elizabeth (Sprain) Smith. [3]

Elizabeth and Edwin had one daughter, Leone “Ida” Smith, born in York Township, Van Wert County 18 October 1907. [4]

Elizabeth’s husband Edwin Smith died of pneumonia in Liberty Township, Van Wert County, on 10 January 1909. [5] He is buried in Tomlinson Cemetery.

John Martin Schumm married widow Elizabeth (Boroff) Smith at the parsonage of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, on 9 February 1911.

In 1920 the John Martin Schumm family lived on Hogan Street in Willshire, where John Martin worked as a house carpenter. The John Martin Schumm family in 1920: John Schumm, 46; Elizabeth Schumm, 34; Dolores Schumm, 2; and Leone I Smith, 12. [6]

The John Martin Schumm family in 1930: John Schumm, 55, head; Elizabeth Schumm, 43, wife; Leone Smith, 23, stepdaughter; Dolores Schumm, 12, daughter; and Donald Schumm, 7, son. John Martin Schumm worked at a grain elevator in 1930. [7]

The John Martin Schumm family in 1940: John, 66; Elizabeth, 55; and Donald, 17. [8] No occupation is given here for John but at some point he was a marshal and constable in Willshire.

John Martin Schumm died at his home in Willshire on 28 April 1954 and he is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery at Schumm. His widow resided in Willshire after his death.

Hester (Boroff) Smith Schumm died of heart disease at the Van Wert County Hospital, on 31 March 1962, at the age of 76. She was buried on 1 April. [9]

Elizabeth’s obituary:

Willshire-Mrs. H. Elizabeth Schum [sic], 76, Willshire, died Saturday in Van Wert Hospital. She was a member of the Methodist Church and Pythian Sisters.

Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Leone Passwater [sic] Willshire, and Mrs. Delores Shady, Fort Wayne; a son Donald E., Fort Wayne; a sister, Mrs. Ida DeVere, Continental; nine grand-children, and two great grandchildren.

Services will be at :30 [sic] p.m. Monday in the Willshire Methodist Church. Burial will be in Tomlinson cemetery, Mercer County. The body is in the Cowan and Son funeral home. [9]

Elizabeth is buried next to her first husband Edwin Smith.

Edwin and Elizabeth (Boroff) Smith had one child:
Ida L Smith (1907-1999), married Thomas Passwaters

John Martin and Elizabeth (Boroff) Smith Schumm had two children:
Dolores Louise Schumm (1917-1976), married Doyle C. Shady
Donald Wayne Schumm (1922-2009), married Barbara Baker

Last week I wrote about Elizabeth’s second husband John Martin Schumm (1873-1954), who is buried in Zion Lutheran Cemetery at Schumm. A few years ago we walked through Tomlinson Cemetery and I noticed Elizabeth Schumm’s marker and photographed it at that time. I usually take note and photograph a Schumm marker when I see one in a cemetery where I am not expecting to see the Schumm name. This was the case for Elizabeth’s marker and we did not have to travel back to Tomkinson Cemetery to get the photo for this blog post.

[1] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” Vol. 2, p.41, Ester Elizabeth Boroff, 20 Sep 1886; database with images, FamiySearch.org  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RYW-S6DY?i=87&cc=1932106&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AVN7V-MXY : viewed 8 Nov 2021). [Elizabeth’s marriage and death certificate give her date of birth as 23 August 1886]

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Dublin, Mercer, Ohio, ED 77, p.3, dwelling & family 58, William Boroff; digital image, Ancestry.com (viewed 1 Nov 2021).

[3] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” Van Wert, Vol. 12, p.390, Edwin A Smith & Elizabeth Boroff, 1907; database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-S5Q4-59?i=227&cc=1614804 : viewed 8 Nov 2021). [This record indicates Elizabeth was born 23 Aug 1886.]

[4] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” York Twp, Van Wert, Leone Smith, 18 Oct 1907; database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RYH-SXK4?cc=1932106&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AVNW6-VF5 : viewed 8 Nov 2021).

[5] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” Liberty, Van Wert, Edwin Augustus Smith, 10 Jan 1909; database with images, FamilySearch.org  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9PKG-WNM?i=2444&cc=1307272&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AXZ2B-66P : viewed 8 Nov 2021).

[6] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.7A, dwelling & family 2, John M Schumm; digital image, Ancestry.com (viewed 1 Nov 2021).

[7] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 22, p.1A, dwelling & family 14, John Schumm; digital image, Ancestry.com (viewed 1 Nov 2021). 

[8] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 81-26, p.2A, house 34, John Schman; digital image, Ancestry.com (viewed 1 Nov 2021).

[9] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Pleasant Township, Van Wert, Hester Elizabeth Schumm, 31 Mar 1962; database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89ZY-T6WX?i=667&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6C6-K2T : viewed 8 Nov 2021). [This record indicates she was born 23 Aug 1885.]

[10] Elizabeth Boroff Smith Schumm Find a Grave memorial no. 49050058, Tomlinson Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio, viewed 1 Nov 2021.

Nov 05

Excavating C.L. Schumm Pond

Problem: a low-lying, wet, unfarmable area on a farm.

Solution: a pond.

A reasonable solution, especially when your son-in-law has earth-moving equipment.

Back in the 1960s my Grandpa Cornelius Schumm (1896-1986) had a low area on his farm, located a little northeast of his barn.

His son-in-law Alvin Krueckeberg had the excavation equipment and turned that low area into a nice farm pond.

Cornelius Schumm farm pond, 2017.

Here are couple photos of the Cornelius Schumm excavation. Although I do not have an exact year, I believe the Schumm farm was created in the early 1960s. 

Excavating Cornelius Schumm farm pond, early 1960s.

Excavating Cornelius Schumm farm pond, early 1960s.

Excavating Cornelius Schumm farm pond, early 1960s.

My Grandpa Schumm standing in his newly excavated pond.

Cornelius Schumm standing in his pond excavation, early 1960s.

Alvin Krueckeberg (1928-2019) excavated other ponds in the area. One of them was for Ned Alspaugh in 1974, across from Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm, which I wrote about a couple weeks ago.

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.