Nov 13

1896 Postmark, Chattanooga, Ohio

Today, an old envelope with a Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark. This envelope is postmarked 22 January 1896 and is the earliest Chattanooga postmark that I have.

1896 postmark, Chattanooga, Ohio

It is addressed to:
Germania Publishing Co.
286 & 288 West Water St.
Milwaukee, Wis.

It cost 10 cents to mail this letter in 1896.

1896 Chattanooga, Ohio, postmark

Stamped on the reverse is that the letter was received in Milwaukee on 25 January 1896. It was received in three days, which seems like a pretty quick delivery service back in 1896. I’m not so sure things have improved all that much in the last 125 years.

Reverse of envelope with 1896 postmark, Chattanooga, Ohio

Unfortunately, there is no return address on the envelope and the envelope is empty. I would venture a guess that the envelope contained the payment for a subscription or a subscription renewal.

Also stamped on the front of the envelope is Registered No. 12. Does this mean it was sent registered mail? Maybe, if a check or money was being sent.

I have written about the Chattanooga, Ohio, post office before. After looking at the Appointment of Postmasters records, it appears the Chattanooga Post Office operated from 1882 to 1900 or 1904. Just after the turn of the century the mail was sent to Rockford.

According to the Postmaster records, Philip Deitsch was Chattanooga’s Postmaster in 1896. [1]

The Chattanooga Post Office was in the frame building that stood just south of where the Chatt Bar is today, located in what was Egger’s Grocery store.

Semon Egger had a mortuary in the upstairs of the same building. Hmmm. A post office and a mortuary in the same building. Good thing they didn’t have mail-in voting back then. But I digress…

The list of appointed postmasters in Chattanooga (1882-1900):

1882-1889:
Philip Hill, 18 Sep 1882
John Schlenker, 31 Aug 1885
William Fender, 8 Sep 1888
Jacob Deitsch, 24 Dec 1889

1891-1930:
Henry J Cordier, 9 Jul 1891
Frederick Heffner, 15 Jan 1894
Philip Deitsch, 16 Jul 1895
Andrew Leistner, 10 Apr 1899
George R Hagerman, 30 Nov 1891
Mail to Rockford 3 May 1900
Charles F Wagner, 14 Sep 1904 [1]

A nice piece of Chattanooga history.

[1] Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, National Archives, Roll #100, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio, Vol. 38, (1873-1891), p.316, & Vol. 79 (1891-1930) p.367-368; digital image, Ancestry.com, viewed 12 Nov 2020.

 

Nov 10

Tombstone Tuesday-Sirus Reed

Sirus Reed, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Sirus Reed, located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Sirus Reed
Died May 6, 1857
Aged
15y, 15m, 2d

The records of Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, mention Sirus Reed only once, in his death and burial record. That record spells his name as Cyrus Reid, probably the correct spelling, but I will use the Sirus Reed spelling as is on his tombstone. The church record indicates that he was the foster son of Mr. Brenner. Sirus died 6 May 1857, after being chilled and developing pneumonia. He was 15 years, 10 months, and 2 days old and was buried on the 7th.

Sirus was born in Ohio on 4 July 1841, as calculated from his tombstone and the church records.

Sirus’ foster father was probably George Johann Brenner (1797-1879) who was married to Elisabeth Herzog (1805-1875). George Johann Brenner was born in Wuerttemberg and Elisabeth Herzog was born in Pennsylvania. They attended church at Zion Schumm and both are buried in Zion Schumm’s cemetery.

Sirus, enumerated as Cyrus, was enumerated with the John Brenner family in 1850: John Brenner, 51, Germany; Elisabeth Brenner, 46, Pennsylvania; Godfried Brenner, 5, Ohio; and Cyrus Reed, 8, Ohio. John Brenner was a farmer. [1]  

Who were Sirus’ parents? I do not know. One Daniel Reed (1796-1848) died before 1850 and is buried in Venedocia Cemetery. However, Daniel’s wife died in 1888, so Sirus would not have been orphaned if they were his parents. There is always the possibility that Sirus’ parents were living but could not care for him, and he grew up with another family. There may be other possibilities and we may never know who his parents were.  

[1] 1850 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, p.171B, dwelling 354, family 373, John Brenner; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/8054/ : viewed 9 Nov 2020).

 

Nov 06

Veterans Day 2020

This coming Wednesday, 11 November 2020, we commemorate Veterans Day.

Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was created to recognize of the end of World War I. Fighting between the Allied nations and Germany ceased on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That date is generally regarded as the end of “the war to end all wars.”  Veterans Day was made a legal holiday in 1938. Today we take this special day to honor all U.S. military veterans.

My dad, Herbert Miller, and his two brothers LaVerne and Kenneth, all served in the U.S. Army.

Herbert Miller, 333 Reg, 84 Div, “Rail Splitters”, WWII

LaVerne Miller, Army Anti Aircraft Artillery

Kenneth Miller, 278 Regimental Combat Team 1953-55

A photo of my dad and his two brothers. They sure do look alike, all so handsome.

Miller brothers, Herbert, LaVerne, and Kenneth, all veterans.

A big thank you to all veterans who served in our great county’s military, who served at home or abroad.

Thank you for your service.

Nov 03

Tombstone Tuesday-Oscar A. & Hilda M. (Schumm) Schumm

Oscar A. & Hilda M. (Schumm) Schumm, Zion Lutheran Church, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Oscar A. and Hilda M. (Schumm) Schumm, located in row 7 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

SCHUMM
Oscar A.
Oct. 31,1890
Feb. 2, 1984

Hilda M.
Sep. 12, 1883
Sep. 28, 1974

“Oscar” Albert Schumm was born in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, on 31 October 1890, the ninth of ten children born to William (1840-1906) and Anna Maria (Heffner) (1855-1931) Schumm. Oscar was baptized at Zion Lutheran, Schumm, on 9 November 1890, with JF Schumm and Martin Schinnerer I serving as his sponsors.

The William Schumm family in 1900, when Oscar was 9 years old: William, 59; Maria, 44; Hugo, 23; Rudolph, 20; Theodore, 18; Conrad, 16; Bertha, 14; Paul 12; Oscar, 9; and Julia, 4. William was a farmer and they lived between Willshire and Schumm. [1]

Oscar’s father William died in 1906. Oscar Schumm in 1910, living with his widowed mother and two siblings: Mary, 54, head; Paul, 21, son; Oscar, 19, son; Julia, 14, daughter. [2]

Oscar Schumm married Hilda Schumm at Zion Lutheran Church, Schumm, on 1 November 1914.

“Hilda” Maria Schumm was born near Schumm, Willshire Township, on 12 September 1883. She and her twin sister Lydia were the second and third of six children born to “John” Christian (1849-1926) and Wilhelmina “Minnie” (Breuninger) (1860-1899) Schumm. Hilda and her twin sister were baptized at Zion Schumm 23 September 1883, with Mrs. Sarah Schumm, Mrs. Rosine Schinnerer, Mrs. Hannah Germann, and Margaretha Buechner serving as their sponsors. Hilda’s name is written first on their baptism record so the first two sponsors listed may have been her sponsors.

Hilda‘s mother Minnie (Breuninger) Schumm died in 1899.

Hilda Schumm, age 16, with her family, the next year, in 1900: John Schumm, 50; Victor A, 18; Hilda M, 16; Lydia, 16; Elizabeth, 12; Arnold, 10; Salome, 7; and Otis, 23. Her father John Schumm was a farmer. [3]

The John Schumm family in 1910: John, 60; Hilda, 26; Lydia, 26; Arnold, 19; and Salome, 17. [4]

Six years after their marriage, Oscar and Hilda Schumm in 1920: Oscar, 29; Hilda, 36; and Hildred, 3, daughter. Oscar was a farmer. [5]

The Oscar Schumm family in 1930: Oscar, 39, head; Hilda, 46, wife; Hildred, 13, daughter; Harold, 8, son; Roman, 5, son; and Maria Schumm, 74. Maria was listed as daughter on this enumeration but she was Oscar’s widowed mother, Maria (Heffner) Schumm. [6] Oscar‘s mother Maria died the next year.

The Oscar Schumm family in 1940: Oscar, 43; Hilda, 56; Hildred, 23; Harold, 18; and Roman, 15. Oscar farmed and son Harold worked on the farm. [7]

Hilda (Schumm) Schumm died from a heart attack near Willshire on 28 September 1974, at the age of 91. She was buried on 1 October. [8]

Oscar Schumm died of sepsis at the Van Wert County Hospital on 2 February 1984, at the age of 93. He was buried on the 6th. [9]

Oscar and Hilda (Schumm) Schumm had the following children:
Hildred Wilhelmina (1916-2004)
Harold P (1921-1988), married Leahline Pearl Case
Roman C (1924-1988)

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 97, p.11A, dwelling 219, family 234, William Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 22 March 2015).

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.1B, dwelling & family 15, Mary Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 98, p.11, dwelling 216, family 221, John Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7602/ : viewed 28 Jun 2020).

[4] 1910 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p.6A, dwelling 111, family 112, John G Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7884/ : viewed 28 Jun 2020).

[5] 1920 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 146, p.3B, dwelling 59, family 60, Oscar A Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6061/ : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[6] 1930 U.S. Census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 24, p.2B, dwelling 42, family 43, Oscar Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/6224/ : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[7] 1940 U.S. Census, Willshire, Ohio, ED 81-28, p.4B, house visited 81, Oscar Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/2442/ : viewed 25 Oct 2020).

[8] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Convoy, Tully Township, Van Wert, Hilda M Schumm, 28 Sep 1974; database with images, FamilySearch.org  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9ZY-T6N8?i=2272&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6CJ-XGW : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

[9] “Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001,” Pleasant Township, Van Wert, Oscar A Schumm, 2 Feb 1984; database with images, FamilySearch.org  (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L98Q-CFWB?i=303&cc=2128172&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AF6CN-2BF : viewed 1 Nov 2020).

Oct 30

Evans City Cemetery, Night of the Living Dead

Today, on the eve of Halloween 2020, some photos I took last year at a cemetery in Pennsylvania that has become somewhat of a cult cemetery.

Last December we went to Pennsylvania to visit my Aunt Ruth on her 100th birthday. While there we learned that we were not far from the Evans City Cemetery, where the opening scenes of the 1968 zombie horror movie Night of the Living Dead were filmed.  

I saw this movie in the late 1960s and have no desire to see it again. But I do like to visit cemeteries, so we decided to go to this famous cemetery while we were in the area. I never miss an opportunity to visit a cemetery.

Evans City Cemetery.

Evans City Cemetery is a few miles from Evans City, in a hilly area of Pennsylvania. The cemetery is located out in the country, situated on the top of a hill. A long winding drive leads up to the cemetery.

The opening scenes of the movie show Johnny and Barbara driving up that narrow drive to the cemetery.

Driving up to Evans City Cemetery.

Driving up to Evans City Cemetery. Note the road below, in the distance.

Driving up to Evans City Cemetery.

Once Johnny and Barbara arrive at the cemetery they place a wreath on a tombstone next to the Blair tombstone.

Blair tombstone at Evans City Cemetery. The cemetery chapel in the background.

Unfortunately I did not get the best shot of the Blair tombstone. I was focused on the other tombstone made famous by the movie, the Kramer tombstone.

Nicholas Kramer tombstone, Evans City Cemetery. (2019 photo by Karen)

As the movie continues, a zombie appears, attacks and knocks out Johnny. Barbara runs away in fear. At one point Barbara clings to the Kramer tombstone.

Nicholas Kramer (1842-1917) served in the Civil War.

Coins placed on Nicholas Kramer tombstone, for his Civil War service.

Standing by Kramer tombstone.

Kramer monument, Evans City Cemetery.

The names of Nicholas Kramer’s wife Mary and some of their children are inscribed on the other faces of the main monument. The small stones behind the main monument are for their children. There is also a Civil War marker for Nicholas.

The chapel, located near the entrance to the cemetery, is in some movie scenes.

Evans City Cemetery Chapel.

Barbara eventually runs out of the cemetery, to the countryside below, and the gruesome movie continues on to its finale.

Barbara ran from the cemetery down to the road below.

We visited Evens City Cemetery on a bright crisp morning and fortunately we did not see any zombies. We found it to be a nice, peaceful cemetery. Although, as I looked back through my photos, I do not remember seeing someone standing by that tall monument…

Person standing by tall monument??

More photos from Evans City Cemetery:

Evans City Cemetery

Evans City Cemetery

Evans City Cemetery

I was never much of a zombie fan, but I do watch the series The Walking Dead and its spin-off shows. Amazingly, I find The Walking Dead less disturbing than the original Night of the Living Dead.

This year I don’t know which is scarier, Halloween or the events of 2020. A couple thoughts about Halloween this year:

Does anyone else feel like Halloween is unnecessary this year? I’ve been wearing a mask and eating candy for 8 months now and I don’t think I need a day dedicated to it anymore.

For my Halloween costume I’m going to dress as a normal person with no mask, since that seems to scare the begibbies out of everyone.   

Happy Halloween, everyone!