Aug 20

Duckcreek Baptisms, 1874-1882

Continuing on with the Duckcreek Church records that I have, that also include information for a couple other Methodist churches in the area. [1]  

Today, baptism records for 1874-1882. The information includes name of the baptized, date of birth, date of baptism, whether an infant or child, parents’ names, place of baptism, and presiding minister. Not all of this information is given for each individual. I transcribed the names as they were spelled in the original records.

In the first group the officiating minister was J.C. Miller and all individuals were sprinkled except Eliza Denman, who was immersed. She was immersed at Willshire and I wonder if her baptism occurred in the river?

Denman, Eliza J; b.1874; bapt Dec 1874; adult; Willshire
Pifer, Sinetta; b.1874; bapt Dec 1874; infant; Fountain Chapel
Pifer, Eliza; b.1874; bapt Dec 1874; infant; Fountain Chapel
Foreman, Zura Alica; bapt 12 Sep 1875; infant of JT & Susan Foreman; Duckcreek
Counterman, Alexander; bapt 12 Sep 1875; infant of P & Sarah J Counterman; Duckcreek
Counterman, Lorrie Alice; bapt 2 Sep 1875; infant of P & Sarah J Counterman; Duckcreek
Bartlet, Andrew; bapt 12 Sep 1875; adult; Willshire
Vance, Adelaide; b. 1875; bapt 30 Dec 1875; infant of C Bell Vance; Duckcreek
Tinkham, F; bapt 13 Aug 1876; adult; Duckcreek
Johnson, Manerva; bapt 13 Aug 1876, adult; Duckcreek
Counterman, Clarria; bapt 13 Aug 1876; adult; Duckcreek
Harper, Dona; bapt 13 Aug 1876; adult; Duckcreek
Brookley, Florrie C; bapt 13 Aug 1876; infant; Duckcreek
Brookley Ida L; bapt 13 Aug 1876; infant; Duckcreek
Runnals, May; bapt 20 Aug 1876; adult; Shanesville

The next group of individuals was baptized under the LH Lindsey administration, which began 27 September 1877. All were baptized at Willshire and all were sprinkled:

Shaffner, Fred Smith; b.1879; bapt 10 Aug 1879; infant of Dr. J & Jane Shaffner; Rev. WG Littell
Mills, India; bapt 15 Mar 1879; adult; Rev. A Berry
Smith, Annis; bapt 15 Mar 1879; adult; Rev. A Berry
Feazel, Willis J; bapt 7 Sep 1879; infant of Mary Feazel; Rev. S Lindsey
Feazel, Maud F; bapt 7 Sep 1879; infant
Buchanan, James S; b.3 Nov 1878; bapt 7 Sep 1879; infant of Sam S & Susan Buchanan
Buchanan, Dazie D; bapt 7 Sep 1879; infant
Buchanan, Claud E; bapt 7 Sep 1879; infant
Buchanan, Emelie H; bapt 7 Sep 1879; infant
Hollinger, Samuel; bapt 11 Jun 1880; infant of Oliver & Lizzie Hollinger; WR Sultz
Foreman, Clark Melvin; bapt 11 Jun 1880; infant of Moses & Mary Foreman; Rev. WR Shultz
Shoemaker, Carrie bapt 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss
Harmon, Amanda; 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss
Frontner, Rosa; bapt 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss
Ross, Simon; bapt 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss
Daily, Sadie; bapt 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss
Barbour, Carrie; bapt 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss
[no name]; bapt 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss
Hill, Liz; bapt 30 Aug 1882; adult; Rev. LE Prentiss

I knew someone on this list! I remember Claude Buchanan.

I will share the final group of church records next week.

[1] Duckcreek Church was established in 1858. A frame church was built about 1868 and was 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 17

Tombstone Tuesday-Oak Leaf Symbol

Oak leaves inscribed on a tombstone symbolize strength, endurance, eternity, honor, faith, virtue, liberty, stability, and hospitality. It is a symbol of the power of the Christian faith and some believe that the cross of Christ was made from an oak tree.

Oak leaves and acorns

Since the oak tree, oak leaves, and acorns symbolize power, authority, and victory they are sometimes seen on military tombs.

Oak leaves

Oak leaves and ivy leaves on tombstone.

Oak leaves are one of the rarer symbols I have seen tombstones.

Oak leaves

Oak leaves

Aug 13

Duckcreek Church Member List, 1905-1913

Continuing with the Duckcreek Church records that I have, today some membership records from 1905-1913.  

Fletcher Cemetery is mentioned again in these records. I recently learned that there is a Fletcher Cemetery located on Clayton Road in Willshire Township, a couple miles north of Willshire Eastern Road. I suspect there was once a church associated with the cemetery, called Fletcher Chapel. This could be the Fletcher Chapel the Duckcreek records refer to. Several Chilcotes/Chilcoats are buried at this Fletcher Cemetery and a couple of them attended Duckcreek Church at one time. Charles Chilcoat (1819-1898), his wife Catharine Chilcoat (1821-1898), as well as James W Chilcote (1850-1911) and his wife Sarah C (1850-1905) are buried there. [Van Wert County Cemetery Inscriptions Vol. V, Van Wert Chapter OGS.]

I was recently asked what the term Class means, a term often used in Methodist records. I found this information about that: Church members were divided into organized units, called Classes. Each Class had a leader who directed weekly instruction and gave spiritual and moral guidance. Early church rolls were listed under Classes and often contained some information about the members. Classes began each year at conference time and ran from September to September.  

This 1905-1913 member list includes name, marital status, Class, residence, date received, by whom received, received elsewhere, remarks. The amount of information given for each person varies and not every item of information was given for every person. In addition to Duckcreek Church, Willshire, Fountain Chapel, and Fletcher Chapel are also mentioned, under the Residence category. These records appear to include more than just Duckcreek records, although they were within the Duckcreek records I received.

Duckcreek Church membership records, 1905-1913:  

Com, TJ; M; Cl 1; Fountain Chapel; to Bethel UB 10 Apr 1909; dissatisfied
Com, Mrs. Nettie; M; Cl 1; Fountain Chapel; received by cert Apr 1905 by B.G.; to Bethel UB Apr 1909
Counterman, Jacob; M; Cl 1; Willshire; removed/no cert; gone to Michigan
Counterman, Emma; M; Cl 1; Willshire; removed/no cert; gone to Michigan
Counterman, Elva; S; Cl 1; Willshire; removed/no cert; gone to Michigan
Counterman, Florence; S; Cl 1; Willshire; removed/no cert; gone to Michigan
Christy, Calinda; M; Cl 3; Willshire; died
Chilcote, Idora; M; Cl 3; Willshire; died
Cully, Burt; M; Cl 8; Willshire; to Tipton Ind by certificate Jul 1913
Cully, Myrtle; M; Cl 8; Willshire; removed by certificate
Case, Hulda; M; Cl 1; Duckcreek
Carter, Mary; M; Cl 2; Fletcher; trans to Willshire
Cully, Alice; M; Cl 1; Fletcher; trans to [?]
Cornell, Emma; S; Cl 3; Willshire; received by cert 18 Sep 1906; marr Jan 1907, see Boda
Cornel, Dollie; S; Cl 3; Willshire; received by cert 18 Sep 1906; marr 25 Jan 1907, see Kaufman
Case, Mrs. J; Wd; Willshire; received 12 Apr 1908 by L. Rice
Culley, L.S.; M; Fetcher; received by cert 15 Jun 1908 by L. Rice; trans to Willshire
Culley, Glenn; S; Fletcher; received by cert 15 Jun 1908 by L. Rice; trans to Willshire
Culley, Wibur; S; Fletcher; received by cert 15 Jun 1908 by L. Rice; trans to Willshire
Cornell, Margaret; Wd; Willshire; received 23 Aug 1908 by L. Rice
Culley, Dove; S; Willshire; received by cert 18 Apr 1909 by L. Rice; marr D.F. Roller, see Roller
Colter, W.A.; M; Willshire; received 26 Jan 1913 by Carl W. Jamieson
Colter, Mrs. W.A.; M; Willshire; received 26 Jan 1913 by Carl W. Jamieson
Campbell, Rebeka; M; Willshire; received by cert 16 Feb 1913 by Carl W. Jamieson
Colter, Bernice; S; Willshire; received by cert 16 Feb 1913 by Carl W. Jamieson
Clouse, Monroe; M; Willshire; received by cert 16 Feb 1913 by Carl W. Jamieson
Clouse, Clara; M; Willshire; received by cert 16 Feb 1913 by Carl W. Jamieson

I still have a few more Duckcreek Church records to share!

Aug 10

Tombstone Tuesday-Frederick A. Schumm

Frederick A Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Kare)

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

FREDERICK A. SON OF
L.E. & C.E. SCHUMM
MAR. 18, 1923
MAY 9, 1923

Frederick Arthur Schumm was born in Willshire 18 March 1923, according to his tombstone; born 19 March 1923, according to his death certificate. [1] Frederick was the son of “Louis” Fredrick and Cora Eva (Roop) Schumm.

Frederick’s parents lived on State Street in Willshire in 1920 and his father Louis was a house carpenter. [2]

Frederick Schumm died at home in Willshire of pyloric stenosis [a stomach-related ailment] on 9 May 1923, at the age of 1 month and 21 days. He had been under the care of the physician since 22 April. Frederick was buried on the 10th. [1]

Frederick Schumm had the following siblings:
Robert W. Schumm [Rev. Dr.] (1915-2003), married Delora Burk; married Frances Picknell
Elbert R. Schumm Sr (1918-1978), married Elva Jane Martin
Mary Elizabeth Schumm (1920-2016)
Herbert Ivan Schumm [Rev.] (1928-2018), married Priscilla Ruth Bonell

There is no record of Frederick’s baptism in Zion Lutheran, Schumm’s records. His death was recorded years later, in 1975 by Rev. Schuler.

On a side note, Frederick’s sister Mary Schumm was my first organ teacher. That was back in the early/mid-1960s. She also played the harp.

[1] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953, Willshire, Van Wert, Fredrick Arthur Schumm, 9 May 1923; database with images, FamilySearch.org (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XSQ-LW4?i=1335&cc=1307272&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AX8TB-CBV : viewed 9 Aug 2021).

[2] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.11A, dwelling 126, family 127, Louis F Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 9 Aug 2021).

Aug 06

175th Anniversary of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm

Last Sunday was the 44th Schumm reunion but 2021 also marks a noteworthy anniversary for Schumm’s congregation, the 175th anniversary of the founding of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church at Schumm, Ohio.

175th Anniversary of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, Ohio.

John Georg Schumm and five of his children immigrated to America in 1833, lived in Holmes County, Ohio, for a few years, and then moved to the Schumm area in 1838. By 1839 traveling missionary Friedrich Wyneken was ministering in the area. In 1846 John Georg Schumm, his four sons, George Martin, John Jacob, Louis, Frederick, his son-in-law Michael Schueler, and two other members founded Zion Lutheran Church at Schumm. Unfortunately, John Georg Schumm died three days before the adoption of Zion’s first constitution in 1846. A year later the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod was organized and Zion Schumm became a charter member. 

Zion Schumm’s first church was a small log structure located where their parsonage is today. Their second church was a frame structure, located across the road from the present church, surrounded by the cemetery and tombstones. It is said that the pulpit, alter, pews, and other fixtures in the church were all made of black walnut.

Zion Lutheran Schumm’s old frame church by the cemetery.

Frame church, Zion Schumm.

The current brick Gothic-style church was dedicated in 1915 and features a beautiful interior with lovely stained-glass windows.  

Zion Lutheran Schumm’s current church.

Through the years the pastors at Zion Schumm kept good records and those records are invaluable for genealogy research. The oldest entry is the death of Michael Billman, 10 June 1846, followed by the baptism of John Edward Roedel and Phoebe Elisabeth Haeberle on 28 June 1846, by Rev. J.G. Burger, Zion Schumm’s first resident pastor.

Zion Lutheran Schumm.

175th Anniversary of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, Ohio.

At last Sunday’s reunion there was a nice selection of mementos commemorating Zion’s 175th Anniversary and I came home with a few goodies–a tote bag, travel mug, coaster set, and a cookbook.

Zion Lutheran, Schumm, some 175th Anniversary items.

Happy Anniversary to Zion Lutheran, Schumm, and many more to come!