J Homer & Leona L (Baker) Carr, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. (2011 photo by Karen)
This is the tombstone of J. Homer and Leona Carr located in row 5 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:
CARR
Leona L. 1898-1950
J. homer 1896-1990
1921-Mary K-1922
John “Homer” Carr was born in Mercer County, Ohio, 3 September 1896, the son of Jesse John (1864-1950) and Mary Effie (Pifer) (1869-1905).
Jesse J. Carr, 34, his wife Mary E., 30, and their son Homer, 3, lived in Black Creek township in 1900. Their niece, Myrtle Pifer, 7, daughter of Mary’s widowed brother Thomas Jacob Pifer, was also enumerated with them in 1900. Myrtle’s mother Bertha had died in 1899. All members of the household were born in Ohio. Jesse and Mary had been married 5 years and only one child was born to the couple. Jesse was a farmer. [1] Later that year Jesse and Mary had another son, Charles M. Carr, born 7 December 1900.
Homer Carr’s mother Mary E. (Pifer) died 1 Feb 1905, likely during the birth of daughter Alzona Lavaun, who died the same day or who was stillborn.
In 1910, widower Jesse Carr, 45, was raising his two sons, Homer, 13, and Charles M, 9, on his Black Creek Township farm. [2]
Homer Carr married Leona Baker 14 March 1920 at Zion Lutheran Church, Chattanooga, Ohio. Witnesses to their marriage were Oscar Schaadt and Maria Baker.
Leona Louise Baker was born in Mercer County on 17 November 1898, the daughter of Theodore W. (1875-1932) and Mary H. (Bollenbacher) (1875-1961) Baker.
The Theodore Baker family in 1900: Theodore, 24; Mary, 25; Alvera, 2; Leona, 1; and Marie, 4 months. Theodore and Mary were married 4 years and had 3 children, all living. All family members were born in Ohio and Theodore was a farmer. [3]
By 1910 the Baker family had grown to include daughter Luetta, born in 1902.
The 1920 census was taken in January in Mercer County, a couple months before the March marriage of Homer Carr and Leona Baker. When that census was taken they both were still single, living with their families.
Homer and Leona had a daughter, Mary Kathleen/Katherine Carr, born in Black Creek Township, on 20 November 1921. She was baptized at Zion Chatt 18 December 1921, with Theodore Baker and his wife Mary [maternal grandparents] serving as her sponsors. Mary Katherine died from a heart problem a couple months later. According to her death certificate, Mary Kathleen Carr died 25 January 1922, age 2 months and 4 days, and was buried in the Chattanooga Mausoleum on the 27th. [4] Zion Chatt’s records appear to be in error, recording that Mary died 13 March 1922, age 66 days, and was buried in the Chattanooga Mausoleum on the 14th. I believe the death certificate is correct. If Mary Katherine died in March she would have been older than 66 days. Mary’s name appears on the tombstone with the names of her parents. She may have been re-interred with them or she may still be interred in the mausoleum. Mary’s name appears several ways in various records: as Mary Catherine in Zion Chatt’s records; as Mary Kathleen on her death certificate; as Mary K. on her parents’ tombstone.
Homer and Leona Carr had two more children in the next few years, a son, Leland Muhrl Carr, born 14 January 1924, and a daughter, Dorothy Luetta Carr, born 26 January 1926.
By 1930 Homer and Leona Carr had been married 10 years and resided in Black Creek Township with their two children: Leland, 6, and Dorothy, 4. They lived on Baker Pike, as reported in the census. Homer was a farmer. [5]
Leona’s father Theodore Baker died in 1932 and in 1940 Leona’s mother widowed Mary H. Baker, 65, resided with Homer and Leona and their two teen-aged children. [6]
By 1950, son Leland Carr had left home and daughter Dorothy had been married to Robert Humbert for 2 years and they had a son. Dorothy, Robert, their son, and Homer Carr’s widowed father Jesse resided with Homer and Leona in 1950: Homer, 53, head; Leona, 51, wife; Jesse J, 85, father; Robert Humbert, 26, son [sic]; Dorothy, 24, daughter; Larry Humbert, 1, grandson. Homer and Robert farmed. [7] Homer’s father Jesse resided with Homer and Leona until his death on 31 December 1950.
I remember Homer and Leona faithfully attending church at Zion Chatt. I also remember them attending the area Farm Council meetings, held in members’ homes several times a year.
Leona (Baker) Carr died 2 August 1980 at Swiss Village, Berne, at age 81. She was buried on the 5th. According to her obituary she was survived by her husband Homer Carr; son, Leland Carr, of Paulding; daughter, Mrs. Robert (Dorothy) Humbert of Rt. 1, Rockford; sister, Mrs. Oscar (Marie) Schaadt of rural Rockford, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two sisters.
Homer Carr died 11 September 1990 at Jay County Hospital, Portland, Indiana, age 94. He was buried on the 14th. From his obituary: …On March 14, 1920, he married the former Leona Baker and she died in August of 1980. Survivors include a son, Leland of Paulding; a daughter, Mrs. Robert Humbert of rural Rockford; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter, a brother, and a sister…
Homer and Leona (Baker) Carr had the following children:
Mary Kathrine/Kathleen (1921-1922)
Leland Muhrl (1924-2008), married R. Colleen Moore
Dorothy Luetta (1926-2004), married Robert Humbert
[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.9, dwelling & family 183, John H Carr; Ancestry.com.
[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 107, p.11B, dwelling 240, family 242, Jesse J Carr; Ancestry.com.
[3] 1900 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 74, p.9, dwelling & family 196, Dore W Baker; Ancestry.com.
[4] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,”, Mary Kathleen Carr, 25 Jan 1922; FamilySearch.org.
[5] 1930 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 1, p.7B, dwelling & family 164, John H Carr; Ancestry.com.
[6] 1940 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 54-1, p.8B, household 175, Homer Carr; Ancestry.com.
[7] 1950 U.S. Census, Ohio, Mercer, Black Creek, ED 54-1, p.21, dwelling 192, J Homer Carr; Ancestry.com.
