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)

 

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.