This is the tombstone of Jeanetta A., Charles J. and Amalia C. Schumm, located in row 3, old section J, Riverside Cemetery, Rockford, Dublin Township, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed SCHUMM, Jeanetta A, 1875-1916, Charles J, 1875-1954, Amalia C, 1884-1969.
Jeanetta was Charles’ first wife and he married Amalia after Jeanetta’s death.
According to her death certificate, Jeanetta Ann Schumm was born 23 October 1875 in Ohio to Joseph and Samantha (Wildermuth) Bury. She died 11 September 1916 in Dublin Township, Mercer County, of an accidental electrocution. She was married and was aged 40 years, 10 months and 18 days. She was a housekeeper on the farm. She was buried on 14 September. The informant was Charles Schumm. (Certificate of Death, State of Ohio Bureau of Vital Statistics, Registration District 850, File 57588, Primary Registration District 5301, Registered 70; Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953, index and images, FamilySearch.org, accessed 9 Jun 2012.)
Obituary:
Electric Shock Causes Untimely Death of Mrs. C.J. Schumm, While Washing Monday
The community was shocked Monday morning to learn that Mrs. C.J. Schumm had been electrocuted by a short circuit when attaching an extension cord to an electric washer in the yard. Mrs. Schumm was found lying on the ground. Medical aid was summoned but could give no help for the vital spark had fled. The blow to the husband and children and her parents and family was overwhelming, and the sympathy of all went to the bereaved family.
Just how the fatal accident occurred will never be known. Mr. Schumm had gone to the fields and other members of the family were absent. Mrs. Schumm had the water ready to do her washing and had the washer set out in the yard as she had always done in good weather. Power was transmitted through an extension cord from a socket in the house, the cord being run out through a window. Mrs. Schumm must have been just ready to attach the cord to the motor when she received the fatal shock. Mrs. Helen Karnes, on her way to school in town, stopped at the Schumm home and found Mrs. Schumm lying in the yard. She summoned aid and neighbors came at once to the home.
The Schumm home is two miles northwest of Rockford, and the electrical current to the home is furnished from the Willshire-Wren light line of the Rockford Electric Lighting plant. This is the first accident that has ever occurred in the history of electric light and power in this community.
Mrs. Schumm was well and favorably known in both town and country and her friends were many. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Bury of Rockford. She is survived by the husband, daughter Miss Donna and two sons, one aged about three years and the other a baby seven weeks old. Three brothers, Homer of Rockford, Cleve of Mercer and John of Jackson, and sisters Mrs. Odus Street, Mrs. Jess Spry of Jackson, and Mrs. Tom Karnes of Chamberlain, S.D., are with the parents left to mourn the death of their favored sister.
The Schumm family have [sic] been brought to grief by two untimely deaths in their circle within the last few weeks. In each case the wife and mother was taken away leaving a small baby. Mrs. Wm. Schumm was taken away only a short time ago, from a neighboring home. Their friends far and wide extend their heartfelt sympathy to the family, in this their hour of double bereavement.
The funeral was held this Thursday afternoon from the Rockford Presbyterian church, of which the deceased was a member. Dr. A. Arthur Griffes preached the funeral service, and music was furnished by the Presbyterian Choir. Burial was made in Riverside Cemetery. (The Rockford Press, Rockford, Ohio, 15 Sep 1916, p.1)
Charles and Jeanetta had the following children: Donna Doris (1900-1950), Carl Arnold (1904-1912), Oral (1912-1912), Charles Robert (1914) and Joseph Frederick (1916).
Charles remarried to Amalia Germann, the daughter of Charles Friedrich and Hannah M. (Schumm) Germann. They had the following children: Lucile (1924), Virginia B. (1926) and Herbert (1928).
From the church records of Zion Lutheran, Schumm: Karl Johann Heinrich Schumm was born 14 March 1875, the child of Mr. Friedrich Jacob and Maria (Germann) Schumm. He was baptized 29 March 1875, with sponsors Karl Germann, Peter Germann and Heinrich Schumm II. “Charles“ John Henry Schumm died in the hospital at Findlay, Ohio, on 29 April 1854 at the age of 79 years, 1 month and 15 days. He was survived by his widow Amalie. He was buried on 1 May, services by Rev. Werner VonKulhburg.
The church records also show that Amalia (Germann) Schumm died 12 February 1969 and was buried 15 February.
A group of three grave markers are in the row behind the main stone. They are inscribed with the names of Charles and Jeanetta, their two sons Carl and Oral, and their daughter Donna Doris.
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2 comments
This was very interesting about my mom’s side of the family. Thank Yoy, Sheryl Crabtree/Harner
Author
Thank you and nice to hear from you, Sheryl. The Schumms have an interesting history and some interesting stories. Thanks for writing.