Tombstone Tuesday–J Adam & Minnie C (Koch) Fisher

J Adam & Minnie (Koch) Fisher, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Mercer County, Ohio (2011 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Adam John and Minnie Christina (Koch) Fisher, located in row 10 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

FISHER

Minnie C.
1884-1973

J. Adam
1878-1949

Adam John Fisher was born in Mercer County, Ohio, on 5 April 1878 to John Christain and Mary Ann (Bollenbacher) Fisher. He usually went by the name of Adam or A.J.

Adam Fisher’s family lived in Liberty Township, Mercer County. Their household in 1880, when Adam was a 2-year old toddler: John C, 40; Mary A, 30; Magdalena B, 11; Minnie L, 10; Margaret E, 4; John A, 2; William M and Mary E, both 2 months old, born in March. Twins! Adam’s father John was a farmer who was born in Germany. Adam’s mother was born in Ohio. [1]

The John Fisher family in 1900: John, 60; Mary A, 52; Emma, 24; Adam, 22; Lizzie, 20; and William, 20. Adam had 3 deceased siblings by this time. This enumeration also indicates that Adam’s father immigrated in 1849. [2]

Adam Fisher married Minnie Christina Koch on 5 May 1904 in Wapakoneta, Auglaize County, Ohio, married by Rev. E.J.E. Kuhlmann. Adam was 26 and Minnie was 19 years of age.

I noticed that the clerk took the extra time to write the following lines on all the marriage license applications in this section: …and that neither of said parties is an imbecile, insane, epileptic, or an habitual drunkard; and that neither is now under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or narcotic drug. [3]  

Minnie Christina Koch was born in Duchouquet Township, Auglaize County, Ohio, on 24 December 1884, the daughter of Christian P. and Anna M. (Grewes/Graves) Koch. [4]

The Christian Koch household in 1900: Christ P, 43; Anna M, 40; Mary D, 21; Eda L, 18; Minnie C, 15; Frederick, 10; and Albert A, 10. There were twins in Minnie’s family, too! Minnie’s parents were both born in Ohio, had been married 22 years, and all 5 of their children were living. Minnie’s father was a farmer. [5]

By 1910 Adam and Minnie Fisher had moved to Liberty Township, Mercer County, and they had a daughter, Koneta. They lived on Willshire Road, which was most likely State Route 49, several miles south of Chatt. Their household in 1910: Adam, 32; Minnie, 25; and Koneta, 5. Adam and Minnie had been married 5 years and Koneta was their only child. Adam was a farmer. [6]

The Adam Fisher household in 1920: Adam J, 41; Minnie, 35; and Koneta, 14. Adam farmed. [7]

Their daughter Koneta married Milbert Stroh in June of 1925 and the newlyweds apparently went to live with her parents right after their marriage. It appears that they lived with them until her parents passed away.

In 1930 the two families, Fishers and Strohs, lived  a few miles south of Chatt, south of Frahm Pike. Their household in 1930: Adam Fisher, 52, head; Minnie, 45 wife; Koneta Stroh, 25, lodger’s wife; Milbert Stroh, 27, lodger. Adam and Milbert farmed and they lived next door to Adam’s sister Louise (Peter) Strabel and their family. [8]

Both families lived together in 1940 but Milbert Stroh is listed as the head of household by this time. There is no occupation listed for Adam, who may have retired by this time. Milbert’s occupation was farmer. Their household in 1940: Milbert Stroh, 37, head; Koneta Stroh, 35, wife; AJ Fisher, 62, father-in-law; and Minnie Fisher, 56, mother-in-law. Their neighbors included Elmer and Mable Fritzinger, Jacob and Fred Betzel, Margaret Bollenbacher, and Charles Bollenbacher. [9]

Adam John Fisher died of cerebral apoplexy/hemorrhage at his home in rural Liberty Township on 22 February 1949 at the age of 70 years, 10 months, and 17 days. He had had the medical problem for 13 months. He was a farmer and had not served in the armed forces. Walter C. Brookhart was in charge of the funeral arrangements. Adam’s wife Minnie was  the informant for the information on his death certificate. [10] According to Zion Chatt’s records Adam was survived by his wife Minnie, daughter Koneta, son-in-law Milbert Stroh, foster granddaughter Sandra Jayne, a brother William Fisher, and sisters Mrs. Elizabeth Koch, Mrs. Louise Strabel, and Mrs. Emma Werts. He was buried on the 24th and Zion’s Rev. Waldo Byers was in charge of the service.

Minnie (Koch) Fisher died in Mercer County, Ohio, on 1 May 1973. According to Zion Chatt’s records she died of complications. She was survived by her daughter, a brother, a grandchild, 2 great-grandchildren, and 3 step-great-grandchildren. She was buried on the 4th and Zion’s Rev. Ralph Hershberger conducted the service.

Adam and Minnie (Koch) Fisher had one child:
Koneta Maria Fisher (1905-1989), married Milbert Stroh

 

[1] 1880 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 188, p.474C, dwelling 53, family 56, John C Fisher; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T9, roll 1048.

[2] 1900 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 85, p.6, dwelling 117, family 122, John Fisher; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T623.

[3] “Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958,” database, FamilySearch.org, A.J. Fisher & Minnie Koch, 5 May 1904; Auglaize Marriages, Vol. 9, p.228; FHL microfilm 963059.

[4] “Ohio, County Births, 1841-2003,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Minnie Koch, 24 Dec 1884; Duchouquet Township, Auglaize County Births, Vol. 2, p.238, no. 24; FHL microfilm 959200.

[5] 1900 U.S. Census, Duchouquet, Auglaize, Ohio, ED 31, p.12, dwelling 216, family 217, Crist P Koch; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T623.

[6] 1910 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer County, Ohio, ED 119, p.11A, dwelling 197, family 202, Adam Fisher; Ancestry.com; FHL microfilm 1375227, NARA microfilm T624, roll 1214.

[7] 1920 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 140, p.10B, dwelling 198, family 215, Adam J. Fisher; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T625, roll 1418.

[8] 1930 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 20, p.2A, dwelling & family 38, Adam Fisher: Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T626.

[9] 1940 U.S. Census, Liberty, Mercer, Ohio, ED 54-22, p.7B, household 145, Milbert Strok [corrected as Stroh]; Ancestry.com; NARA microfilm T627, roll 3114.

[10] “Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953,” database with images, FamilySearch.org, Adam John Fisher, 22 Feb 1949; no. 11028; FHL microfilm 2246585.

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