Sep 07

Tombstone Tuesday-Elisabeth (Herzog) Brenner

Elisabeth (Herzog) Brenner, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Elizabeth (Herzog) Brenner, located in row 8 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Elisabeth
Ehegattinn des
Herin G. J. Brenner
Geboren
Feb. 22, 1805
Gestorben
Mai. 7, 1875
Alter 70y, 2m, 15t

Elisabeth, wife of Mr. G.J. Brenner, born 22 February 1805, died 7 May 1875, aged 70 years, 2 months, 15 days.

According to the Zion Lutheran Schumm church records Elisabeth Herzog was born in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, on 22 February 1805. She married John George Brenner in 1840 and they had one son, Johann Gottfried, who was born in 1845. Elisabeth Brenner died 7 May 1875 at noon and was buried on the 11th. As is so often seen in these older records there are some discrepancies, and some dates and ages are a day or so off.

According to Van Wert County marriage records John George Brenner married Elisabeth Herzog in Van Wert County, Ohio on 14 Jan 1840, married by Jacob Harper JP. [1]

The John Brenner family lived in the Willshire/Schumm area in 1850. Their household in 1850: John Brenner, 51, Germany; Elisabeth Brenner, 46, PA; Gottfried Brenner, 5, Ohio; and Cyrus Reed, 8, Ohio. [2] According to Zion Schumm’s records, Cyrus Reid was the foster son of John Brenner. Cyrus died 6 May 1857, at the age of 15 years, 10 months, and 2 days, after getting chilled and developing pneumonia. He was buried on 7 May, buried in row 5 of Zion Schumm’s cemetery.   

The John Brenner family in 1860: John Brenner, 62, Wuerttemberg; Elisabeth, 55, PA; Godfrey, 16, OH; and Catharine Airman, 10, OH. The 10-year-old could be Catharine Ehrman/Ehrenman, perhaps another foster child. John Brenner was a farmer.

The John Brenner family in 1870, now living with their son John Gottfried Brenner and his wife of 3 years, Mary (Kreiselmeyer): John, 73; Elizabeth, 65; JC Brenner, 25; and Mary Brenner, 21. [4]

According to her county death record Elisabeth Brenner died of palsy in Willshire Township on 6 May 1875, at the age of 70 years, 2 months, and 1 day. She was born in Pennsylvania and was a housekeeper. [5]

John George and Elisabeth (Herzog) Brenner had one child:
John Gottfried Brenner (1845-1879), married Katharina Maria Margaretha “Mary” Kreiselmeyer

I do not know who Elisabeth’s parents were. And I wonder if Herzog was her maiden name. She married John Brenner in 1840, at the age of 35, I wonder if she may have been a widow who had been married to a Herzog. As always there are unanswered questions…

[1] “Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958,” Van Wert Marriages, image 25, John Brenner & Elizabeth Harzogg, 14 Jan 1840; database, FamilySearch.org (https://www.org/ark:/61903/3:1:9392-S5QF-47?i=24&cc=1614804 : viewed 6 Sep 2021).

[2] 1850 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, dwelling 354, family 373, John Brenner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ : viewed 6 Sep 2021).

[3] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, dwelling 1073, family 1067, John Bauner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7667/ : viewed 6 Sep 2021).

[4] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED, dwelling 101, family 102, JC Brenner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com  (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7163/ : viewed 6 Sep 2021).

[5]“Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Van Wert County, Vol. 1, p.102-3, Elisabeth Brenner, 6 May 1875; database with images, FamilySearch.org p.102-3, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6725-YC?i=224&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6NJ-J4D : viewed 6 Sep 2021).

Sep 03

Wedding Photo Revisted-Mystery Solved!

This past week I received some very good information which answered a question I asked in a blog post several years ago.

The blog post, “A Wedding Celebration,” [1] July 2015, featured a picture postcard which showed an outdoor wedding dinner. The name Wambsganss was written on the photo and it appears the photo was taken about 1920. Those were the only clues I had and I wondered whose wedding it was.

Wedding dinner of Walter Augenstein & Florence Wambsganss, 24 June 1917. 

Thanks to some Karen’s Chatt readers, this week I learned whose wedding celebration it was and when their wedding took place. And a whole lot more.

Thanks to Bob Schumm for reaching out to me and, with the help of his late wife’s family, solving this mystery. They have a definite connection to the photo, as Bob’s late wife was Carolyn Wambsganss, the grandniece of the bride in the above photo.

It turns out that the photo was taken at the wedding dinner of Walter Augenstein and Florence Wambsganss. They were married 24 June 1917 in Van Wert County. The photo was taken at the Wambsganss farm, located just east of St. Thomas Lutheran church and school on German School Road, in Van Wert County.

Armed with this information I was able to add little more to the story.

Walter Frederick Augenstein was born 6 January 1894 in Marion County, Ohio, born to Philipp (1851-1911) and Johanna (Etzler) (1853-1941) Augenstein. Walter was a coil winder, living in Harrison Township, Van Wert County, when he married Florence A. Wambsganss.

The bride, Florence A. Wambsganss, was born 31 December 1894 to Frederick C. (1865-1944) and Emma (Laupee) (1870-1954) Wambsganss. She also lived in Harrison Township, Van Wert County. The couple was married by Aug. F.C. Buuck. [2]

Bob Schumm’s sister-in-law was able to identify a couple people in the photo.

Emma & Fred C. Wambsganss (parents of the bride): 4th & 5th on left side of table.

Emeline & Art Sheets (sister of the groom): 7th & 8th on right side of table.

Lydia (Augenstein) Wambsganss (holding baby): standing in the very back, in the center.

Oscar Wambsganss, (holding baby) & husband of Lydia (Augenstein): standing to Lydia’s left. [3]

The groom’s mother, widow Johanna (Etzler) Augenstein, was still living and was likely in the photo but they were unable to identify her.

Children of Walter & Florence (Wambsganss) Augenstein:
Donald W. Augenstein (1918-1994), married Elda C. Hirsch  
Dale Gilbert Augenstein (1920-2013), married Edna Belle Disler
Marie E. Augenstein (1922-2006), married Walter Ernest Reinking
Kenneth Augenstein

There is another Schumm/Wambsganss connection in addition to Bob and Carolyn (Wambsganss) Schumm. Rev. Alfred Oswald Ferdinand Schumm (1900-1981) married Irma S. Wambsganss (1898-1974). Irma and Florence (the bride in the photo) were sisters.

Not a Schumm connection, but George Wambsganss (1842-1899) married Elizabeth German (1844-1921). George and Elizabeth were Florence Wambsganss’ grandparents. This is probably why this photo postcard was among some German photos I have. 

And, Oscar J. Wambsganss (1890-1942) married Lydia (Augenstein) (1891-1940). Oscar was (bride) Florence Wambsganss’ brother and Lydia was (groom) Walter Augenstein’s sister.

Such great information and so good to have this mystery solved.

A big Thank You to Bob Schumm and his extended family!  

[1] “A Wedding Celebration,” Karen’s Chatt, 10 Jul 2015.

[2] “Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2016,” Van Wert Marriages, Vol. 15, p.103, Walter F Augenstein & Florentine M Wambsganss, 24 Jun 1917; database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-67Z5-MR?i=87&cc=1614804 : viewed 2 Sep 2021).

[3] The children Oscar and Lydia (Augenstein) Wambsganss were holding were not their children. Their first child, Clayton Wambsganss, was born June 1918.

Aug 31

Tombstone Tuesday-Grapevine Symbol

A grapevine, as a tombstone symbol, signifies prosperity, fertility, and abundance.

Grapevine symbol

The grapevine is a traditional Christian symbol, as Jesus said he is the vine and his followers are the branches. The grapevine and grapes are also symbolic of Holy Communion.   

Grapevine symbol

Grapevine symbol

Aug 27

Duckcreek/Willshire Church Member List 1909

Today, the final Duckcreek Church [1] membership list that I have, a list of the members received in February 1909.

This information includes name, marital status, Class number, residence, how received, by whom, baptized, and when/how disposed of. Not every item of information was given for every person.

The first two, Dove Cully and Esther August, were received 7 February 1909. All the rest were received 14 February 1909. All were received by Lemuel Rice and Willshire was given as the residence of all. I believe that residence probably meant where they attended church, not where they lived, as it appears these records included other local Methodist churches, not just Duckcreek. Therefore, this membership list is likely not a Duckcreek Church list, although it was included with the Duckcreek records I was given.   

Cully, Dove; S; Cl 10; baptized 14 Mar 1909
August, Esther; S; Cl 10; baptized 14 Mar 1909
Acheson, John; M; Cl 8; baptized 14 Mar 1909
Thatcher, Minton; S; baptized 14 Mar 1909; died
Hawkins, Alta; S; baptized 25 Jul 1909; gone
Rice, D___; S; Cl 9; received into full connection
Ross, Ralph; S; Cl 9; received into full connection
Strickler, Len; S; Cl 9; dropped
Oakley, Anna; S; received into full connection; gone
Foreman, Georgia; S; gone
Custer, Avilena; S; dropped
Jones, Minta; S; baptized 25 Jul 1909; dropped
Wood, Deloyd; S; Cl 9; dropped
Ross, Frank; S; Cl 9; dropped
Foreman, Ernest; S; dropped
Parks, Frank; S; baptized 25 Jul 1909; dropped
Counterman, Floyd; S; Cl 9; baptized 25 Jul 1909; dropped
Riker, Fred; S; Cl 9; baptized 25 Jul 1909; dropped
Bilderback, May; S; Cl 10; baptized 25 Jul 1909; received into full connection
Bilderback, Ione; S; Cl 10; baptized 25 Jul 1909; received into full connection
Miller, Glen; S; Cl 10; baptized 25 Jul 1909; received into full connection
Snyder, Imel; S; Cl 9; baptized 25 Jul 1909; received 18 Feb 1912
Roop, Mabel; S; Cl 10; baptized 25 Jul 1909; received 18 Feb 1912
Geisler, Leah; S; Cl 10; baptized 25 Jul 1909; received 18 Feb 1912
Foltz, Cecil; S; Cl 10; baptized 25 Jul 1909; dropped
Foltz, Sadie; S; Cl 10; received into full connection Aug; gone
Brown, Fawn; S; received into full connection Aug; gone
Rice, Floyd; S; dropped; gone

This concludes the Duckcreek Church records that I have.

[1] Duckcreek Church was established in 1858. A frame church was built about 1868, located a couple miles north of Chatt on State Route 49 in Mercer County, Ohio. The church was destroyed by a tornado in 1920 and was never rebuilt. Many of its members joined the Chattanooga Methodist Church after their church was destroyed.

Aug 24

Tombstone Tuesday-Robert Ivan Handwerk

Robert Ivan Handwerk, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

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

Inf.
Son of A. & V. Handwerk
1924

Robert Ivan Handwerk was born in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 11 November 1924, the son of Alfred Lawrence “Jack” and Viola Henrietta (Reidenbach) Handwerk.

Robert Ivan died on that same day, as recorded by Zion Schumm’s Rev. R.O. Bienert.

Robert Ivan’s parents were both from the Willshire area and were married in Zion Schumm’s parsonage 27 June 1922. His mother Viola was from Zion’s parish.

Robert Ivan Handwerk had the following siblings, all of whom were baptized at Zion Lutheran Schumm:
Vera Marseille Handwerk (1922-2015), married William B. Emerson; married Glenn G. Pruden
Donna Maria Handwerk (1927-), married Howard Courtney; married Taylor
Anna Lucille Handwerk (1929-2012), married Dane W. Ickes; married Robert E. Eber
Doyle Lester Handwerk (1932-1957)