Jan 05

Tombstone Tuesday-Palm Branch Symbol

Today’s tombstone symbol is the palm branch, also known as a palm frond.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, 1901 Palm Branch, Curtis Schumm

A palm branch symbolizes victory, rejoicing, triumph, immortality, and peace. For Christians the palm branch is associated with victory over death and eternal life.

Jesus rode triumphantly into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday as people waved palm branches and put them down on the road before him.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, 1897 Palm Branch, Barbara Schinnerer

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, 1901 Palm Branch, Anna Schumm

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, 1905 Palm Branch, Elizabeth & Friedrich Schinnerer

Greenbriar Cemetery, Van Wert County, 1894 Palm Branch, Anna Seaman

Jan 01

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year from Karen’s Chatt!

May 2021 be better than 2020! 

Dec 29

Tombstone Tuesday-Jakob Wilhelm Schumm

Jakob Wilhelm Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Jakob Wilhelm Schumm, located in row 4 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier ruhet
In Gott
J.W.
Sohnlein von
Georg u. Maria
Schumm
Gest. Den 6 Aug
1858
Alter 1J, 5 M
11T
Psalm 16, v. 6.
SCHUMM

Here rests in God, J.W., little son of Georg and Maria Schumm, died the 6 August 1858, age 1 year, 5 months, 11 days. Psalm 16:6. SCHUMM.

Jakob Wilhelm Schumm was born in Willshre Township, Van Wert County, on 25 February 1857, the son of George Martin and Maria (Pflueger) Schumm. Jakob was baptized at home on 27 February 1857 with Friedrich Schumm & his wife serving as his sponsors. Jakob’s parents were both Germany immigrants.

Jakob Schumm died at 7:00 in the morning of 6 August 1858. He was only 1 year, 5 months, and 10 days, according to Zion Schumm’s records. He was buried on the 7th.

Jakob Wilhelm Schumm, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

Jakob’s parents George Martin and Maria (Pflueger) Schumm had a total of 13 children:
Jacob “Frederick” (1839-1927), married Maria Germann
Louis M (Sr) (1840-1922), married Mina Domke
George M (Rev) (1841-1917), married Charlotte Breuninger; married Amalia Justine Markworth
John (1843-1864)
Anna “Rosina” (1845-1928), married John Roehm
Margaretha Barbara (1847-1851)
Marie “Mary” (1849-c1876), married Claus Peters
George “Jacob’ (1851-1895), married Caroline G “Lena” Kellerman
George “Christian” (1852-1895)
George Henry “H G” (1854-1939), married Anna Roehm; married Wilhelmina “Mina” Kroemer
Jacob Wilhelm (1857-1858)
Jacob “Martin” (1859-1909), married Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ehrenmann
Anna Magdelina “Sophia” (1862-1924)

Dec 25

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Karen’s Chatt!

The Nativity, on wood.

Dec 22

Tombstone Tuesday-Wheat Symbol

Today’s tombstone symbol is wheat, a symbol that I do not see very often on a headstone.

Greenville Union Cemetery, Darke County, Ohio, 1887 Wheat, Henry C Miller.

Wheat and other grains are some of the oldest symbols for growth and life. Wheat used to be harvested by a reaper with a scythe, which brings to mind the Grim Reaper.

On a tombstone, wheat is usually depicted as a sheaf of wheat, but is occasionally is shown as stalks of wheat.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, 1999 Stalks of Wheat, Eugene Merkle

Wheat usually symbolizes someone who has lived a long, fruitful life. Someone who has lived to a ripe old age.

Since it is a harvested grain, wheat could signify the resurrection and immortality. Or wheat may symbolize bread or the communion wafer, which are both made from wheat flour.

Fountain Chapel Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio, 1884 Wheat, David Thrush

Finally, the obvious. Wheat carved on a tombstone could just indicate that the deceased was a farmer.