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Barbara S and William C Allmandinger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of William C. and Barbara S. Allmandinger, located in the last row of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

ALLMANDINGER

Mother
Barbara S.
1877-1929

Father
William C.
1867-1919

Gone but not forgotten

As I mentioned last week, William and Barbara Allmandinger attended both Zion Lutheran Chattanooga and Zion Lutheran Schumm. They attended Zion Chatt before they married in 1898 and until they moved to Van Wert County about 1907 and began attending Zion Schumm. As a result I was able to use the records of both churches to research them.

According to Zion Chatt’s confirmation records William Allmandinger was born 3 September 1867 to Ludwig and Rosina Allmandinger. He was confirmed at Zion Chatt on 6 April 1884 and married Barbara S. Hoehamer of Adams County, Indiana, on 4 January 1898 at Zion Chatt.

Although William and Barbara were married in Ohio their marriage was recorded in the Adams County, Indiana, which borders Mercer County, Ohio. This seems strange but may have been common for people living near the state line. My Miller grandparents were also married at Zion Chatt but their marriage record is also recorded in Adams County, Indiana.

When they married, William  was 31 years old and a farmer from Chattanooga. His parents were John L. and Rosina (Schneider) Allmandinger. Barbara was 21 years of age, from Adams County, Indiana, the daughter Nicholas and Anna (Mannselmann) Hoehamer. They were married in Chattanooga on 4 January 1898 by Rev. August Affeld. John Hoehamer and Emma Baker were the witnesses. [1]

William’s burial record at Zion Schumm gives additional information. It also states that he was born 3 September 1867 in Butler County, Ohio, the son of Mr. Louis Allmandinger. Soon after his birth he moved with his parents to the vicinity of Hamilton, Ohio, and in 1878 the family moved to Mercer County. He was instructed and confirmed in [Zion Lutheran] Chattanooga. In 1898 he was united in marriage with Miss Barbara “Hohamer” and in 1907 they moved to the Schumm area. William passed away 20 July 1919 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, at the age of 51 years, 10 months and 17 days. Survivors included his wife, 12 children, 3 brothers and 2 sisters.

Zion Chatt’s confirmation records indicate that Sophie Barbara “Hochamer” was born 30 August 1877 to Nicholas and Friedericke Hochamer . She was confirmed at Zion Chatt on 22 March 1891.

According to Barbara’s burial record at Zion Schumm Barbara Sophia Allmandinger, nee “Hochheimer”, was born 30 August 1877 in Bluecreek Township, Adams County, Indiana.  She died 13 February 1929 in Willshire Township, Van Wert County, at the age of 51 years, 5 months and 13 days. She was buried 16 February 1929 in Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm. Barbara’s death record indicates that she died of stomach cancer in Willshire Township, Van Wert County. This record confirms that her parents were Nicholas and Anna (“Manzelman”) Hoehamer. [2]

Barbara’s death notice:

Local News
Mrs. Barbara Allmandinger, who has been in very poor health for some time, died at her home east of town yesterday morning. [3]

Barbara’s Obituary:

Mrs. Allmandinger Funeral
The funeral of Mrs. Barbara Allmandinger was held at Evangelical Lutheran church at Schumm Sunday afternoon, the pastor, Rev. R.O. Bienert, having charge of the services. The church was packed with friends and relatives of the deceased, who was held in the very highest esteem by all.

Barbara Sophia Allmandinger, daughter of Nicholas and Anna Hoehamer, was born August 30, 1877, in Jefferson township, Adams county, Indiana. She departed this life to her great beyond Feb. 13, 1929, at the age of 51 years, 5 months and 14 days.

In the year 1898 she was united in marriage to Wm. C. Allmandinger. To this union were born 12 children, 6 sons and 6 daughters. Soon after their marriage they moved to what is known as the Allmandinger homestead one mile north of Chattanooga, Ohio. In the year 1907 they with the family moved to where the family now is, four miles east of Willshire, Ohio. The father was called to the great beyond 10 years ago, leaving a dear mother with 12 children to provide for, in November 1928, she became ill and bedfast, and was cared for by the family until her death.

At her youth age she attended the Lutheran church and school at Chattanooga, Ohio, until 1907 when they moved to Willshire township, east of Willshire, where she became a member of the Schumm Lutheran church, holding her membership there until death.

She leaved to mourn the 12 children, all living, of whom three are married: Richard, living near home; Mrs. Wm. Beard, of near Wren, Ohio, and Mrs. Glenn Adams, of Coldwater, Ohio, leaving nine children, Walter, Bertha, Hugo, Fredrick, Lillie, Minnie, Martin, and the twins, Aaron and Anna, at home; three grandchildren, two brothers, Wm Hoehamer, of Rockford, Ohio, Geo. Hoehamer, of Bryant, Indiana; two half brothers, Chas. P. Hoehamer, of Chicago, Orville Hoehamer, of Hartford City, Indiana; five step brothers, Geo. Pfeifer, Van Wert, Ohio, Nicholas Pfeifer, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Jacob Pfeifer, Bluffton, Indiana, Lawrence Pfeifer, Knox, Indiana, Fred Pfeifer, in Minnesota; two aunts, Mrs. Katherine Huser, of Van Wert Ohio, Mrs. Christena Koch, of Wapakoneta, Ohio, and a host of relatives and friends.

Card of Thanks

We wish to express our sincere thanks for the beautiful flowers, and for the choir singing and the help rendered during the time of sickness and death of our dear Mother.  The Children. [4]

William and Barbara Allmandinger had the following children:

Richard Edward (1898-1982, married 1/Frieda Schumm, 2/Loretta Aumann)
Walter Leonhard (1900-1969, married Paula Buechner)
Maria Magdalena (b. 1901, married William Beard)
Carolina Katharina (b. 1902, married Glenn Parker Adam)
Bertha Margaretha (1903-1930)
Hugo Johann (1906-1968, married Pauline A. Hofmann)
Friedrich Nicolaus (1907-1987)
Lillie Laurine (b. 1910)
Alma Minna (b. 1911)
Herbert Martin Wilhelm (1913-1998)
Aaron Ludwig (1917-1963, married Glendora Stump)
Anna Barbara (b. 1917, married Walter Kammeyer)

It is interesting to note that their oldest son Richard was my great uncle, married to my grandpa Schumm’s sister Frieda.

[1] “Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959,” index and images, Adams, Indiana, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXV3-Z9Y : accessed 16 June 2013), William Allmandinger and Barbara S. Hoehamer, 1898, citing Vol. 1: 57.

[2] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9.1.1/X6ZD-VB9 : accessed 17 June 2013), Barbara S Allmandinger, 1929.

[3] Local News, The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 14 February 1929, p.1.

[4] Mrs. Allmandinger Funeral, The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 21 February 1929.

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1842 Liberty Township Estray Book

Back in the 1800s wandering livestock was a problem that was caused primarily from the lack of fencing. This was such a problem that rules and regulations were made to deal with the stray livestock. In Ohio the first act regulating estrays was created 7 February 1804. [1]

What is an estray? The definition, according to Black’s Law Dictionary, Estray: Cattle whose owner is unknown…a wandering beast whose owner is unknown to the person who takes it up…an animal that has escaped from its owner, and wanders or strays about… [2] 

The Estray Book detailed the wandering livestock’s markings, who found it, when it was found, who claimed it and when it was claimed, if it was ever claimed. Soon after an estray was found a notice of the animal was to be published in the newspaper or printed on a poster by the finder. The animal was appraised. If the owner claimed the animal within a year he was to pay the taker-up payment for feeding, boarding and advertising. If the owner did not come forward the animal became the property of the taker-up or was sold. The Estray book was kept by the local Justice of the Peace and a copy was given to the Town Clerk. These books were often kept at the county courthouse.

I have heard about these early county books but had never actually seen one. Thanks to Catherine (Leininger) Miller’s son Jerry who gave me the old Estray Book of Liberty Township, Mercer County, Ohio. This old book, dating back to 1842, was stored in Catherine’s attic with some other old books. The Estray book was probably passed down to her father, Ted Leininger, who was once a Liberty Township Trustee. Jerry knows I have an interest in the history of the Chattanooga area and graciously thought of me when he found the books. I plan to scan and digitize them and transcribe and index them before I pass them on to another entity for safekeeping.

First entry in Mercer County Estray Book, 1842.

The Liberty Township Estray Book contains dates from 1842-1880. The little book is about 6 ½ by 7 ½ inches with pages that are not numbered. I began transcribing the book as it was written, misspellings, capitalization and all. There are about 58 pages in the book with writing on both sides of the pages. I have just a few pages transcribed so far and below are some examples from the book:

Liberty Township Estray Book.

[Inside front cover]:
Township Clerk
Estray Book
Liberty Township
Mercer Co. Ohio
Estray Book of Liberty township
Mercer Co Ohio
H. V. Hinton, JP, Clerk 

[Next 2 pages]:
Estray Book of Liberty Township, Mercer County Ohio.
Book of marks in the last half of the book
Marks in the last half of this book.
[the alphabet]
Estray Book of Liberty Township Mercer County Ohio
Philip Kable, JP Clerk

[Estray Entries]:

Liberty Township Mercer Co., Ohio
January 1^st 1842; Jacob Deutch made return of three Estrays taken up by him—One a Black Mare with a Bay colt; The Mare is supposed to be Fourteen years old & with a large Bell on her neck -& with a white strip in her forehead; a white spot on the point of the nose with a white spot on the left shoulder and the left hind foot whiten fifteen hands high. The Colt is a last Spring Mare colt; Also one Bay Mare Colt one year old last Spring with a white spot in her forehead, with the left forefoot whiten. No other marks percivable [sic].  P. Botton Clerk
Jan. 1^st 1842
The above Estrays were proved & taken away by the owner from Indiana.

Apr 14, 1842; This Day Wm. F. Watkins made return of description of a Stray Mare which he had this day taken up; The marks are a follows viz A light Iron grey mare fourteen hands high. Long mane & tail Shod all round. No brands or marks percivable; Supposed to be nine years old; A true [?] T. Wilson T Clerk.
May 2^nd 1842; The above Estray was appraised by Jonathan Spry & John Fisher at $30.00 & return made to J. Downes, JP of Black Creek Township and a transcript was afterwards taken by P. Bolton JP of Liberty Township & return made to me as Clerk of Township; T. Wilson.
The above Estray was sold Oct 2^nd for Eighteen Dollars and twenty five cents-The costs were $16.05. A note was given to Township Treasurer for $2.20-for nine months T. Wilson Clerk.

July 28^th 1842 This day came Sylvester Skeels & made return of description of Estray Mare which he took up July 26^th; The marks are as follows viz A Black Mare fifteen hands high-a white strip in the face from a star in the forehead , a [?] on the nose; the hind feet white & the left fore foot almost white with two black spots near the hoof The neck shows marks of the mare having worn a yoke with hair being worn off-Supposed to be ten years old. No other marks or brands percivable a natural trotter but [?] a little. July 28 1842 T. Wilson, Clerk
This certifies that the mare taken up by S. Skeels was appraised at 25 dollars by Mr. R. Watkins & Adam Bolenbaucher & return made to P. Botton, J.P.  T. Wilson TP Clerk
This is to certify that the above estray mare was claimed & proved to be the property John Stettler and was given up to him as the law directs  Aug 20 1842 T Wilson Clerk  JP Clerk

1877 Ear Marks, Liberty Township, Mercer County.

Ear marks, a type of identifying brand, are in the back half of the book. Below are some examples:

This day personally came John F. Wisenborn and made return of his Ear mark for Hogs Sheep & Cattel [sic] as follows viz two Slits in Each Ear
Recorded this 26^th day of June AD 1883
Philip Kable clerk

This day came Peter Brehm and made return of his Ear mark for Hogs Sheep & cattel as follows viz a Hole in Right Ear and upper half cross in left Ear
Recorded this 15^th day of March 1884
Philip Kable clerk of Liberty Township

This day came Jacob Bollenbacher and made return of his Ear mark for hogs  Sheep and cattel as follows viz a square cross of the right Ear, two slits in the left Ear
Recorded this 5^th day of May  AD 1881
Philip Kable clerk

November th 6^th 1877
This day Philip Kable made return of his Ear mark as follows viz a hole in Right Ear Square cross of same upper bit of left Ear. Recorded this 6^th day of November AD 1877
Philip Kable Clerk

December the 1^th 1877
This day personally came John Alt and mate return of his Ear mark for hogs Sheep and Cattel as follows viz a Square cross of Left Ear upper bit in right Ear
Recorded this 1 day of Dec AD 1877
Philip Kable Clerk

This is a great piece of Liberty Township history and I will post more transcriptions as I get them finished.

[1] Mary L. Bowman, Abstracts and Extracts of the Legislative Acts and Resolutions of the State of Ohio: 1803-1821 (Mansfield, Ohio: The Ohio Genealogical Society, 1994), p. 19.

[2] Henry Campbell Black, M.A., Black’s Law Dictionary, Third Edition (St. Paul, Minn.: West Publishing Co., 1933), p. 691.

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Bertha M. Allmandinger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Bertha M. Allmandinger, located in row 11 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Bertha M. Allmandinger
1903-1930

It is interesting that the vital details of Bertha’s life were documented in the church records of both Zion Lutheran Chattanooga and Zion Lutheran Schumm.

According to the birth/baptism records of Zion Chatt, Bertha Margaretha Allmandinger was born 9 November 1903 to Wilhelm and Barbara (Hoehamer) Allmandinger. She was baptized 29 November 1903 and her parents were her sponsors.

The Allmandinger family moved from Mercer County to Van Wert County about a year after Bertha’s birth in 1903. In 1904 Bertha’s younger brother Hugo was baptized at Zion Schumm. Bertha was confirmed at Zion Schumm on Palm Sunday, 1 April 1917.

Census enumerations also confirm the family’s move to Van Wert County. They were living in Black Creek Township in 1900 [1] and in Willshire Township in 1910. [2]

According to her burial record at Zion Schumm, Bertha Margaret Allmandinger, was born 9 November 1903 in Black Creek Township, Mercer County, Ohio, to William C. and Barbara S. Allmandinger. Bertha died 6 November 1930 at the State Hospital in Gallipolis, at the age of 26 years, 11 months and 25 days. She was buried 10 November 1930 at Zion Cemetery, Schumm.

According to her Ohio death certificate Bertha was a patient of the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics in Gallipolis, Gallia County, Ohio, but her residence was given as Schumm, Ohio. She died 4 November 1930 of bronchial pneumonia that started on 30 October of that year. Chronic spinal meningitis following an oophorectomy in 1927 and epilepsy that started in 1920 were contributing causes. She was 26 years old and her birth date was given as 1904 in Ohio. The names of her parents were written as “unknown” but her father’s birthplace was given as Ohio and her mother’s as Indiana. Burial was to be in Willshire, Ohio, on 5 November. A hospital recorder was the informant. [3]  

Bertha Allmandinger Ohio death certificate, 1930.

The Ohio Hospital for Epileptics opened 30 November 1893 in Gallipolis, Ohio. It was the first of its kind in the United States and the largest institution dedicated to the care of epileptics and the “epileptic insane.” Before it was established epileptics resided in poorhouses, insane hospitals, infirmaries or jails if family members were unable to care for them. All epileptics in Ohio were eligible for care at the hospital, where patients received medical care, adequate food and clothing, and an education. At the turn of the century there were 42 buildings on the hospital grounds, divided into several groups. In April 1912 there were 1475 patients and 236 employees at the hospital. The hospital closed in 1976 and the only structures that exist today are the two sandstone water towers, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [4]

[1] 1900 U.S. census, Black Creek, Mercer, Ohio, ED 74, p. 10A, dwelling 200, family 200, line 5, William C. Almandinger; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2013); from FHL microfilm 1241303, citing National Archives microfilm T623, roll 1303.

[2] 1910 U.S. census, Willshire, Van Wert, Ohio, ED 114, p. 4B, dwelling 79, family 80, line 60, Wm. Allmandinger;. digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 9 June 2013); from FHL microfilm 1375251, citing National Archives microfilm T624, roll 1238.

[3] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953,” index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:MM9.1.1/X8TL-K87 : accessed 0 June 2013), Bertha Allmandinger, 4 November 1930.

[4] “Gallipolis Epileptic Hospital,” Asylum Projects, (http://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php?title=Gallipolis_Epileptic_Hospital : accessed 9 June 2013).

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2013 FGS Conference Ambassador

The 2013 FGS Conference is less than three months away now. This is one of two national genealogy conferences that I try to attend if relatively close. This year’s FGS conference is in Fort Wayne, close enough for me to drive every day.

The May/June blog post prompt for conference ambassadors is “How will you use your time at FGS 2013 to help your genealogical research?”

With the early-bird deadline looming a few weeks away, I have been looking at the registration booklet, trying to select sessions of interest to me. What do I plan to focus on at this conference that will help me with my research?

For one, I finally plan to learn about DNA testing and how the results can be used for genealogy. There are several sessions on this topic at the conference. In fact, there is a whole track about genetics on Thursday.

I guess I have avoided learning about the whole DNA/genealogy connection but I think it is time for me to learn what DNA test information might tell me about my ancestral families and how it might help with my research. Plus, now that our DNA test results are pending I am eager to see how the Brewster branch of my family compares to other Brewsters who have submitted DNA samples.

After my intense DNA studies I plan to attend sessions on technology and Internet genealogy research. New records are being added to websites all the time and I hope to learn about new content on familiar websites. I also want to learn about new websites and those that I am not familiar with. I should be able to get some of the latest technical information while going through the exhibit hall and by networking with other attendees.

Although the above two items will be my main focus at the conference I also want to learn some new research techniques and strategies as well as some historical information about the areas in which my ancestors lived.

This year’s FGS conference, “Journey Through Generations,” will be held 21-24 August at the Grand Wayne Center, across the street from the Allen County Public Library, one of the best genealogy libraries in the country. I will do my Allen County Library research another time since I live so close. But it is well worth a research visit for conference attendees from farther away.

The conference is hosted by the Allen County Public Library and the Allen County Genealogical Society of Indiana. The registration deadline for the early bird discount, a $50 savings, is July 1^st. Conference registration is open and I need to register soon…

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Franklin & Sarah Beach, Woodlawn Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Franklin H. & Sarah S. Beach, located in Woodlawn Cemetery, Ohio City, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

BEACH
Franklin H.
1857-1922
Sarah S.
1869-1926

I enjoy looking for and photographing unusual insignia on tombstones. The two images on the Beach tombstone are ones that  I show in my “Rocks of Ages,” tombstone art and cemetery research presentation.

The emblem on the left is not unusual on tombstones in this area and is the insignia of the secret fraternal society Knights of Pythias, which was formed in 1864. The letters on the shield are an acronym for the society’s motto, Friendship, Charity and Benevolence.

The emblem on the right is much less familiar and took some research to discover that it is the insignia of the Benefit Association of Railroad Employees.

Knights of Pythias

Benefit Association of Railroad Employees

According to his death certificate, Franklin Huriah Beach was born 7 June 1857 in Connecticut to Oscar and Louisa (Scofield) Beach. His mother was born in England. Franklin was married to Sarah S. Beach and was employed by the Erie Rail Road. He died 14 November 1922 at 8:30 a.m. near Ohio City, Van Wert County, Ohio, when he was accidently struck by a freight train which crushed his skull. His wife Sarah was the informant for the information on his death certificate. [1]

Franklin H. Beach, Ohio death certificate, 1922.

Below is Frank’s graphic obituary:

Frank Beach Was Instantly Killed
The remains, mangled beyond recognition, with quivering flesh and crushed bones scattered along the track, of Frank Beach, were picked up along the right of way of the Erie Railroad, Tuesday morning about the hour of ten o’clock, after he was struck by a freight train just east of Ohio City. Mr. Beach had been in the employ of the railroads for the past thirty-five years and had been with the Erie for a number of years where he served as section foreman and in filling other vocations for the company. Tuesday he was painting angle bars on the track and failed to hear or observe a freight train that was bearing down upon him, carrying the massage of death under a full head of steam. Mr. Beach was working on the fireman’s side, hence the engineer did not notice the accident and the crew was not appraised that they had left a corpse in their wake until arriving at a station farther east. The crew with which Mr. Beach was working saw that the fatality could not be averted by them and just as the pilot was about to strike the unfortunate man, all turned their backs and closed their eyes to a scene where a man was hurled into eternity in a most horrifying manner. It was then they observed that Frank Beach had passed the great divide and was in the hands of One more powerful than earthly care. The top of his head had been torn off in the terrific impact, the brains splached [sic] over the body and bones crushed. The Cowan & Acker ambulance was called and the lifeless body was taken to the undertaker’s parlors. Mr. Beach is survived by his widow, a daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Black, of Convoy, and one son, Lieutenant Perry Beach, Ohio City. One son, Lawrence Beach, was gassed while in service across sea and died in a hospital at Washington, D.C. while en route to his home in Ohio City. The funeral services will be held at the Lutheran church this afternoon at 1:00 o’clock conducted by Rev. Stuckenberg. Interment will be made in Woodlawn cemetery, Ohio City. Frank Beach was a man who worked hard, lived according to the Golden Rule and courted the friendship of everyone. He will be missed among a wide circle of friends. Unexpected and sudden, the accident was appalling, shocking. His familiarity with the work at hand, an intuition born of long service, failed Tuesday to warn Frank Beach of impending danger, death and the lingering sadness that will mark the trail so oft traveled with lightdess [sic] of heart and a keen sense of the duty he owed those for whom he worked. [2]

Frank’s wife Sarah Sophia died 6 April 1926 in Ohio City, Ohio, of cancer of the stomach and spine. She was 57 years and 24 months old. Sarah was born 12 March 1869 in Ohio to John A. and Martha (Hackett) Roberts.  [3]

Sarah Beach, Ohio death certificate, 1926.

[1] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953, Index and images,” database, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8RZ-7HT : accessed 2 June 2013), for Franklin Huriah Beach, Registration District No 1293, (1922).

[2] The Ohio City Progress, Ohio City, Ohio, Nov 17 1922 p. 1.

[3] “Ohio, Deaths, 1908-1953, Index and images,” database, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X6C6-NFF : accessed 2 June 2013), for Sarah Sophia Beach, Registration District No 1293, (1926).

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J. Christian Pflueger family on passenger list of Ship France, July 1832.

All in all, I was fairly successful in researching the Pflueger branch of my family, thanks in part to the records of Zion Lutheran Schumm. Those records told me the most important thing I needed to know in order to research an ancestor back in Germany—his town of origin. Those church records told me that Johann Christian Pflueger came from “Schrotzberg” [Schrozberg], Württemberg.

Once I knew that information, the Pfluegers were fairly easy to trace. Fortunately for me, the Family History Library had microfilmed the Evangelical Church records at Schrozberg and my good luck continued because the Pfluegers stayed in Schrozberg and attended that same church for years. They did not move around like the Müllers did. With those two FHL microfilms I was able to document J. Christian Pflueger’s marriage to Anna Barbara Sekel as well as the births and baptisms of nine of their children. Interestingly, Schrozberg is not too far from Ruppertshofen, the home town of the Schumms.

The Schrozberg marriage record of J. Christian and Anna Barbara contained a lot of family information. It told that J. Christian was the son of Johann Georg and Magdalena (Dumler) Pflueger of Schrozberg and that Anna Barbara was the daughter of Johann Michael and Elisabetha Maria Friederika (Hilgert) Sekel, from Rechenhausen. Both were farm families. J. Christian was born 12 May 1781 and Anna Barbara was born 23 June 1791. They were married 20 April 1814. All this from their marriage record! [1]

The Schumm church records mentioned that Christian immigrated in the 1830s. With that information I went on to find that J. Christian Pflueger applied for emigration in February 1832. This emigration record gives his place of birth as Schrozberg, OA Gerabronn, with his destination as North America. [2]

The Pflueger family sailed from Havre, France on the ship France and arrived at the Port of New York on 9 July 1832. Their name was listed as Pfleger on the passenger list and all family members were from Württemberg. Their names and ages agree with the information I found in the Schrozberg church records.

The Pflueger family in the 1832 passenger list of the Ship France:

Johann, age 50 [b. 1781]
Anna, age 41 [Anna Barbara Sekel, 1791-1846, wife]
Maria, age 18 [Maria Rosina, 1814-?]
Anna, age 12 [Anna Maria “Mary”, 1820-1903, m. Georg Martin Schumm]
Maria, age 10 [Maria Barbara, 1822-1908, m. Johann Ludwig Schumm]
Georg, age 8 [George “Michael”, 1824-1903, m. Catherine Brandt]
Eva, age 4 [Eva Margaretha “Margaret”, 1828-?, m.  George Reidenbach]
John, age 2 [unknown; died in Holmes county?] [3]

Soon after the Pfluegers arrived in America they settled in Holmes County, Ohio. Most immigrants traveled to where relatives, friends or neighbors had already settled and the Pfluegers probably did the same. New settlers wrote letters back to the home country, telling family and friends of the opportunities in the new land. Holmes County was established in 1824 and the little village of Winesburg in Holmes County was laid out in 1832. Winesburg was settled by German Lutheran immigrants who had hoped to establish a Lutheran college there. Many immigrants were from the Württemberg area. It appears the Pfluegers went to Holmes County to live soon after their immigration. Less than a year later, in 1833, the Johann Georg Schumm family arrived in Holmes County.

A congregation for the German Lutherans and Swiss Reformed was established in Winesburg in 1832. It was named Evangelical United Zion and is still called Zion today. While in Holmes County some of the Pflueger children married. Mary Pflueger married George Schumm, Barbara Pflueger married Lewis Schumm and Margaret Pflueger married George Reidenbach.  A daughter Elizabeth was born to J. Christian and Anna Barbara there in 1835. [4] These families eventually moved to Van Wert County within a few years.

Zion Church, Winesburg, Holmes County, Ohio. (2005 photo by Karen)

Other families with familiar names also attended church in Winesburg in those early years: Brandt, Scar/Scaer and Reidenbach. I also have Scar/Scaer ancestors.

In 1840 the J. Christian Pflueger family was living in Holmes County. There were 7 children listed in the 1840 census. [5]

J. Christian Pflueger and his family moved to Van Wert County by 1846, where his wife died 26 September of that year. They very likely followed the Schumms to the area, who had settled in the area east of Willshire in 1838.

J. Christian Pflueger lived with relatives and/or friends in Willshire Township after the death of his wife. The 1850 census indicates that “Christian Filger” was living with the Jacob and Hannah Schumm family. [6] I’m sure Christian knew Jacob but to my knowledge there was no family relationship. On that census page, directly above the Jacob Schumm family was the Louis and Barbara (Pflueger) Schumm family. Barbara was J. Christian’s daughter and I wonder if the enumerator put J. Christian in the wrong household. I wonder if he was actually living with his daughter Barbara. Either way, Christian would have been living very close to his daughter.

In 1860 Christian was living with his daughter “Barbary” (Pflueger) Schumm and her family. [7] Barbara was the widow of Ludwig Schumm (1817-1855) and they were my great-great-grandparents.

In 1870 Christian was living with his youngest daughter Elizabeth and her husband Jacob Bienz. Christian was 89 years old. [8]

About the Sekel/Seckel family: I wonder if there might be a connection between J. Christian’s wife Anna Barbara Sekel/Seckel and Louis Breuninger’s wife, Maria Seckel. Louis and Maria were my great-great-grandparents and both were born in Württemberg. Shortly after the Civil War Louis Breuninger, also originally from the Schrozberg area, moved from Wisconsin to Atlanta, where he resided for a couple years. By 1870 Louis had moved to the Schumm area, near the Pfluegers. Why did he move to the Schumm area? No Breuningers were living there. Who did he know there? Was Maria Seckel related to Anna Barbara (Sekel) Pflueger? So far I have not been able to link the two Seckel families but I keep searching for that connection.

[1] Evangelische Kirche (Schrozberg, OA Gerabronn, Württemberg), Kirchenbuch 1634-1961, year 1814, unpaginated, record no. 2, Johann Christian Pflüger and Anna Barbara Sekel marriage, FHL microfilm #1528614.

[2] The Wuerttemberg Emigration Index, Volume Five, Trudy Schenk and Ruth Froelke, (Salt Lake City, Utah : Ancestry Publishing, 1988) p. 158.

[3] Passengers Arriving at the Port of New York, June 13-Sept. 29, 1832, microfilm publication M237 (Washington, D.C. : National Archives and Records Service), Roll 17.

[4] Marguerite S. Dickinson, compiler, Winesburg, Ohio, Birth Records, 1833-1897, (Millersburg, Ohio: Holmes County Chatper, Ohio Genealogical Society, 1993); originally published in 1955.

[5] 1840 U.S. Census, Millerburg, Holmes County, Ohio, p. 292, line, 3, Chris Filuger; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 May 2013); FHL film 0020168, from National Archives microfilm M704, roll 404.

[6] 1850 U.S. Census, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, page 170A, dwelling 334, family 353, line 28, Jacob Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 May 2013); from National Archives microfilm M432, roll 736.

[7] 1860 U.S. Census, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio, p. 150 (penned) p. 425 (stamped), dwelling 1069, family 1063, line 15, Barbary Schumm; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 May 2013); FHL film 805045, from National Archives microfilm M653, roll 1045.

[8] 1870 U.S. Census, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio,  p. 437A, dwelling 107, family 108, line 10, Jacob “Bence”;  digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : accessed 29 May 2013); FHL film 552774, from National Archives microfilm M593, roll 1275.

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J. Christian Pflueger, Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2012 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of J. Christian Pflueger, located in row 9 of Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Hier ruht in Gott
J. Christian Pflueger
geb. den 12 Mai 1781
gest. den 28 Mar 1877
Alter
95 Jahre, 10 Mo, 16 Ta

“Here rests in God, J. Christian Pflueger, born 12 May 1781, died 28 March 1877, age 95 years, 10 months and 16 days.”

Johann Christian Pflueger was born 12 May 1781 in Schrozberg, Oberamt Gerebronn, Württemberg, the son of Johann Georg and Anna Magdalena (Dumler) Pflueger. His father was a kobler [farmer of a small farm] in Crailshausen. Johann Christian Pflueger married Anna Barbara Sekel on 20 April 1814 in Schrozberg. Anna Barbara was born 20 June 1791 in Rechenhausen, Württemberg, to Johann and Elisabetha (Hilgert) Sekel. [1] Christian and Anna Barbara were my great-great-great-grandparents.

Johann Christian died 28 March 1877 at the home of his daughter Maria Barbara (Pflueger) Schumm Buechner near Schumm. He was nearly 96 years old.

Obituary:
Grandfather Pflueger died at the residence of Adam Buechner in Willshire Township Wednesday morning and was buried yesterday at the Schumm Cemetery. [2]

Obituary:
Willshire township has again lost one of its oldest citizens, Christian “Pflengar”, who died on the 28th of last month.  He would have been 96 years old next May. [3]    

According to the oldest records of Zion Lutheran Schumm Christian’s wife Anna Barbara (Sekel) Pflueger died 26 September 1846 in Willshire Township. She is buried in Zion’s cemetery but her tombstone no longer exists.

According to the Schrozberg church records the Pfluegers had at least ten children who were born in Württemberg before the family immigrated in 1832. At least four of their children died in infancy in Württemberg. One child was later born in Ohio. Their children:

Maria Rosina (1814-?)

Maria Margaretha (1815-1816)

Maria Barbara (1816-1816)

Anna Barbara (1817-1817)

Eva Maria (1819-1822)

Anna Maria “Mary” (1820-1903) married Georg Martin Schumm

Maria Barbara (1822-1908) married Ludwig Schumm; 2^nd marriage to Adam Buechner

George “Michael” (1824-1903) married Catherine Brandt

George Leonhard (1825-1825)

Eva Margaretha “Margaret” (1828-?) married George Reidenbach [4]

Elizabeth (1835-1913) born in Holmes County, Ohio; married Jacob Bienz [5]

The Pfluegers may have had at least one other son, Johann (c1830-?), who was listed on the passenger list with the family when they immigrated. It is not known what happened to Johann.

More about the Pfluegers in this Friday’s blog post.

[1] Evangelische Kirche (Schrozberg, OA Gerabronn, Württemberg), Kirchenbuch 1634-1961, year 1814, unpaginated, record no. 2, Johann Christian Pflüger and Anna Barbara Sekel marriage, FHL microfilm #1528614.

[2] Christian Pflueger death notice, Van Wert Times, Van Wert, Ohio, 30 March 1877.

[3] Christian Pflueger death notice, Van Wert Bulletin, Van Wert, Ohio, 6 April 1877.

[4] Evangelische Kirche (Schrozberg, OA Gerabronn, Württemberg), Kirchenbuch 1634-1961, taufen 1814-1828, unpaginated, FHL microfilm #1528613.

[5] Marguerite S. Dickinson, compiler, Winesburg, Ohio, Birth Records, 1833-1897, (Millersburg, Ohio : Holmes County Chatper, Ohio Genealogical Society, 1993), 4; originally published in 1955.

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My dad in the Willshire Memorial Day Parade in his 1953 Army Jeep, 2005.

Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, traditionally marks the beginning of summer. But the true meaning of the holiday is much more than that.

Memorial Day dates back to the Civil War and began as a way to remember and honor both Union and Confederate soldiers who were killed in battle. Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. On that day, at Arlington National Cemetery, Logan declared in General Order No. 11:

The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion…

We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. All that the consecrated wealth and taste of the Nation can add to their adornment and security is but a fitting tribute to the memory of her slain defenders…

Let no vandalism of avarice of neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten, as a people, the cost of free and undivided republic…

Let us, then, at the time appointed, gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor…

After WWI, Memorial Day was extended to honor Americans who died in all wars. Today many Americans use this holiday to decorate all graves, whether the deceased served in the military or not. For more information about the history of Memorial Day visit Memorial Day History.

Memorial Day was declared a US federal holiday in 1971 and is now observed the last Monday in May, which falls on May 27^th this year.

In December 2000 the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed. This asks all Americans “To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of Remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to ‘Taps’ ” at 3:00 local time.

Most towns in our area, including Willshire, Rockford, and Celina, will have Memorial Day parades followed by ceremonies at local cemeteries. The ceremonies are usually conducted by the local American Legion or VFW, who also mark all veterans’ graves with an American flag. In Willshire there will be a display of military uniforms, photos, flags, maps and letters of local servicemen. This display will be at the Willshire Home Furnishings store this coming Saturday-Monday.

Memorial Day Service at Willshire Cemetery 2000.

Proper American flag etiquette should be observed this weekend. The American flag should be flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day and then raised to full-staff. During a parade there may be several participants with a flag and it is appropriate to salute only the first flag as it passes by. As the first flag passes everyone should show respect by standing at attention with their right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should give their appropriate formal salute.

The red poppy has been associated with Memorial Day for over 90 years. Since 1922 VFW members and American Legion Auxiliary volunteers have distributed red poppies on Memorial Day weekend in exchange for a contribution to assist disabled and hospitalized veterans. This tradition originated with Moina Michael in 1915. She was inspired by the poem ”In Flanders Fields” and came up with the idea to wear a red poppy on Memorial Day in honor of those who died serving our nation during war. She sold poppies to her friends and co-workers and the money went to needy service men. By 1922 the VFW had taken on the project. You can read more about this tradition at The Story Behind the Poppy.  

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
—Moina Michael, 1915.

The following is a list of my collateral ancestors who died while serving our country:

Civil War:

Hallet Bryan (c1836-13 Sep 1863) was the son of Peter and Mary (Huey) Bryan of Jay County, Indiana, and was my 3rd great-granduncle. Private Bryan served in Company E, 89th Regiment, Indiana Infantry and was killed in Memphis, Tennessee. He is buried in the Memphis National Cemetery.

Daniel Schumm (2 Mar 1840-8 Feb 1863) was the son of Johann “Jacob” and Hannah (Billman) Schumm and was my 1st cousin 3 times removed. Corporal Daniel Schumm served in the 52nd OVI and never returned home from the Civil War.

John Schumm (30 Mar 1843-28 Oct 1864) was the son of George Martin & Maria (Pflueger) Schumm and was my 1st cousin 3 times removed. Corporal John Schumm served in Company A, 60th OVI. He was wounded and captured in Virginia during the Battle of Petersburg and was imprisoned at Salisbury, North Carolina, where he died.

WWI:

Carl Schumm was the son of Rev. Ferdinand and Wilhelmina (Brockmeyer) Schumm and was my 2^nd cousin twice removed. He was killed in France during WWI.

WWII:

Ralph J. Derrickson (5 Apr 1925-15 Jan 1945) was the son of Ralph and Alpha (Brewster) Derrickson and was my 1st cousin once removed. Private Derrickson served in the 99th Infantry Division during WWII and was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg.

Edgar Schumm (18 Nov 1914-13 Nov 1944) was the son of William & Amanda (Reidenbach) Schumm and was my 3rd cousin once removed. He was killed while serving in WWII.

Victor Schueler (23 Jan 1924-3 Aug 1945) was the son of Adolph and Marie (Limbach) Schueler and was my 4^th cousin. Private First Class Schueler was a member of the 85^th Mountain Regiment, 10^th Mountaineer Division and was killed in Italy during WWII.

Korean War:

Emanuel George Roehm (3 Aug 1931-23 Apr 1951) was the son of Emanuel George and Esther (Ohnesorge) Roehm and was my 4th cousin. Private First Class Roehm was a member of Company C, 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division. He was killed in action while fighting in Korea. Roehm was awarded the Purple Heart, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. (source: Ancestry.com. WWI, WWII, and Korean War Casualty Listings [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.)

Viet Nam:

Corey Wayne Ellenberger (19 Oct 1946-12 Jan 1967) was the son of Kenneth & Nola (Charleston) Ellenberger and was my 2nd cousin. Private First Class Ellenberger served as a rifleman in Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division and was killed in South Vietnam. (source: National Archives and Records Administration. Vietnam War: U.S. Military Casualties, 1956-1998 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005.)

And they who for their country die shall fill an honored grave, for glory lights the soldier’s tomb, and beauty weeps the brave. –Joseph Drake

This Memorial Day, amid the family gatherings, the cookouts and the sales, take a moment to remember the real meaning of this holiday.

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Michael Pflueger, Greenbriar Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

This is the tombstone of Michael G. Pflueger, located in row 6 of Greenbriar Cemetery, Willshire Township, Van Wert County, Ohio. The marker is inscribed:

Michael G. Pflueger
Died 1 Jul 1903
Aged 79 y, 1 m, 13 d
Gone but not forgotten

There is also a flagstaff near his marker that is inscribed: GAR 1861-1865.

Michael’s tombstone has fallen from its base and is partially embedded in the soil, as are many tombstones in this cemetery. It appears that the fallen stones did not have a cement foundation, while most of those with a cement foundation are still standing.

Michael G. Pflueger. (2013 photo by Karen)

Greenbriar Cemetery is located about 3½ miles west of Ohio City, at the intersection of Willshire-Ohio City Road and Glenmore Road, Section 13 of Willshire Township. There are three sections in the cemetery, section one being the oldest. Many of the grave markers have fallen over in section one and that is where Michael Pflueger’s tombstone is located. Bethel Church was next to Greenbriar Cemetery and the frame church building is still standing.

Georg Michael Pflüger was born 18 March 1824 in Schrozberg, Württemberg, the son of Johann Christian and Anna Barbara (Sekel) Pflüger. [1] George “Michael” Pflueger was my second great-granduncle, the brother of my second (and third) great-grandmother, Maria Barbara Pflueger, who became the wife of Johann Ludwig Schumm.

Michael Pflueger married Maria “Catharine Brant” on 28 May 1846 in Holmes County, Ohio. [2] According to the records of Zion Lutheran Schumm, they were probably living in the Schumm area by 1848 when their daughter Maria Rosina was born and baptized. Michael and Catharine had at least eleven children and at least six of them died young and are buried in Zion Lutheran Schumm Cemetery. Catharine (Brant) Pflueger died in 1882 and is also buried in Zion Schumm Cemetery. I do not know why Michael is buried at Greenbriar instead of with his wife and children at Schumm. [Their children's names are listed in last week's Tombstone Tuesday, Maria C. Pflueger.]

Michael Pflueger was a private during the Civil in Company C of the 41^st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served from 4 September 1864-13 June 1865, for 9 months and 12 days. During the war he suffered from camp diarrhea and rheumatism. [3] [4]

Michael G. Pflueger GAR 1861-1865 flagstaff. (2013 photo by Karen)

According to the 1872 map of Van Wert County “M. Pflueger” owned land in the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 26 and the southeast half of the southeast quarter of Section 29 in Willshire Township. Both farms were on Willshire Eastern Road. The 80 acres in Section 26 was east of Zion Lutheran Church. The 55 acres in Section 29 was closer to Willshire and what is now State Route 81 ran through the farm.

In 1900 widower Michael Pflueger was living with his son Adam in Willshire Township. [5]  

[1] Evangelische Church at Schrozberg, Württemberg, entry 5 (1824 Baptisms), unpaginated, Family History Library microfilm #1528613, birth and baptism of Georg Michael Pflüger.

[2] “Ohio , County Marriages, 1789-1994,” index and images, FamilySearch.org (www.familysearch.org : accessed 12 May 2013), citing Holmes County Marriages, Vol. 2:298, Michael “Pfleger” and Catharine Brant, 1846.

[3] 1890 Veterans Schedules, Van Wert County, Ohio, Willshire Township, p. 3, line 34, Home 121, Family 126, Michael Pflueger, database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 Apr 2013), from National Archives Microfilm, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Publication M123, Record Group 15.

[4] U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865, on-line database, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 May 2013), from National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/.

[5] 1900 U.S. Census, Van Wert County, Ohio, Willshire Township, ED 0097, p. 9B, line 77, dwelling 185, family 199, Adam “Pfluegar”; digital image by subscription, Ancestry.com, (www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 May 2013); FHL microfilm 1241329, from National Archives microfilm R623, Roll 1329.

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Chattanooga, Mercer County, Ohio.

Local newspapers reported news about Chattanooga, Ohio, in the first half of the 20th century. The Willshire Herald printed a Chattanooga column during the 1930s and 40s and I recently discovered that The Rockford Press also had a frequent column about the Chattanooga residents, or as I like to call them, the Chattanoogians.

The newsy personal items below are from the 24 June 1927 edition of The Rockford Press. As you read these items from nearly 86 years ago you will notice some clues that show family relationships and genealogical information. This is just another reason newspaper research can be valuable for family history research.

I enjoy reading about the residents of the little village of Chattanooga back then and seeing some familiar names. I hope you will enjoy them, too.

• Leo Slusser took dinner Sunday at the Perry Gibbons home.
• [?] Slusser is doing some painting for Geo Koch.

• Mrs. Marcella Strable called on Miss Grace Huffman Tuesday evening.
• Miss Helen Fogel is doing the housework for her grandmother, Mrs. William Betzel.
• Mrs. Geo Koch and daughter Goldie called on Mrs. Wm. Weinman Tuesday.
• Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Heffner entertained company at their home Sunday.
• Mrs. Wm. Fogle and son Billy and daughter Nellie visited her mother Mrs. Wm. Betzel.
• Miss Mildred Bauer came home from Bowling Green Thursday but returned to school Monday.
• Mr. and Mrs. Curtis Roebuck and family, Mr. and Mrs. Clem Roebuck were Fort Wayne caller Friday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Alex Smith and daughters, Maxine, Joan, Glenna and Mrs. Wiseman motored to Angola Sunday.
• Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Wendell and son Jimmy and daughter, Genevieve were business callers at Celina Tuesday.
• Don’t forget the children services program Sunday night, June 26, at the Zion Lutheran Church. Everybody welcome.
• Mr. and Mrs. John Regedanz and daughter, Mildred, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Carr and son Robert were at Edgewater Sunday night.
• Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Rothhaar, Mr. and Mrs. James Duff were Sunday dinner guests of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Landfair and family.
• Sure was a nice rain we had Tuesday. Everyone is wearing a smile.
• Miss Verla Huffman visited her mother Wednesday. Miss Verla is working at Celina.
• Sunday guests of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Andrews and family were Mr. and Mrs. John Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Baumgartner and family, Mr. and Mrs. Bruff and family, Mr. and Mrs. Jess Pickering and family.
• Miss Evelyn Fetters called on Grace Huffman Saturday afternoon.
• Misses Glenndola Bebout and Neva Stetler went to Marion, Ind. to Bible School. They will remain there a week.

• Don’t forget the ball game Sunday, June 26^th, Chattanooga vs. Maples, Ind.  Everyone in in Chattanooga was seen wearing a smile this week. Why? Chattanooga won Sunday. Who lost? Geneva Grays.
• Mr. and Mrs. John Leistner and son Forest, Mr. and Mrs. Louis Wendel, Messrs. Walter and Gale Butcher, Dwight Raudenbush, Victor Schaadt, Misses Grace Huffman, Lucille Purdy, Lulla Affolder motored to Anderson, Ind. Sunday to a camp meeting. Quite a number from Willshire attended the meeting.

And last but not least, was the report of a grand birthday party was held for Mildred Regedanz:

A most enjoyable evening was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John Regedanz, Monday evening, June 20^th at their home in Chattanooga, when a number of friends gathered there to remind Miss Mildred of her 16^th birthday. Miss Mildred received many beautiful gifts including five large birthday cakes. “Ye Gods” what a surprise! Those present were as follows: Opal Bollenbacher, Helen Meyers, Mable Howell, Verla Huffman, Magdalene Albrecht, Lela Baumgartner, Clista Baker, Gertrude Baker, Arlene Baker, Helen Fogle, Golda Koch, Mildred Regedanz, Clara Schaadt, Genevieve Johnson, Grace Huffman, Ernest Bollenbacher, Leota Baker, Ralph Schott, Albert Bollenbacher, Ferdinand Bollenbacher, Daily Lehman, Wm. Rothhaar, Luther Heffner, Pete Heffner, Orval Gibbons, Leo Slusser, Luther Gibbons, Dewey Gibbons, Sie Schritz, Arthur Pefferberger, Ray Smith, Gale Butcher, Dorsie Grimm, Paul Weiman, Chester Grimm, Glenn Felver, Perry Felver, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Meyers, Perry Gibbons, Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Grimm, Mr. and Mrs. Orval Felver, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Carr and their son Robert, Mrs. Wm. Heffner, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Johnson, and Mr. and Mrs. John Regedanz. The evening was spent in playing games. Miss Grace Huffman and Miss Goldie Koch furnished the music for the evening with everyone joining in on the chorus. Ha! A delicious luncheon was served consisting or sandwiches, angel food cake, ice cream and tea. All separated at a late hour reporting a good time and wishing Miss Mildred many more happy birthdays.  [1]

[1] The Rockford Press, Rockford, Ohio, 24 June 1927, p. 10.