This & That

Everyone seems to agree that this summer has gone by too quickly. And I agree with those who also say that time goes faster as you get older. Why is that?

At any rate, it has been a fun and busy summer. In addition to the reunions, birthday parties, and our Holmes County trip, I started several projects that are still in the works.

Last weekend I attended the 90th birthday party of Philip White. Family, friends, and neighbors filled Zion Chatt’s basement to congratulate and celebrate with Phil. He looked good and everyone enjoyed talking with him and visiting with each other.

Phil White, 90th Birthday party, 30 August 2014. (2014 photo by Karen)

Phil White, 90th Birthday party, 30 August 2014. (2014 photo by Karen)

I always enjoy visiting with Phil. He has a great memory and knows just about everyone in the area. He and his wife Helen Jean owned and operated White’s Engine Service for many years, where they sold lawnmowers and repaired all kinds of small engines. They could repair just about everything and they also enjoyed restoring Bantam cars.

Happy Birthday, Phil! And many more to come.

I have taken on a couple photo scanning projects this summer. I enjoy these projects because once the old photos are digitized they can be shared easily.

The scanning includes some of Velma Schumm’s old photos and the old photos of Edna and Viola Germann. Fortunately Velma meticulously labeled most of her photos, but the Germann sisters were not quite as dedicated to photo labeling. Names were written on just a few of their photos. But every little bit helps.

As I looked through the Germann photos I noticed the cabinet photo of a woman that is also in a group of photos that I have. Her photo is among my unidentified photos, from my grandma Schumm’s old album that contains Scaer and Schinnerer photos, and apparently some Schumm photos, too.

Rosina (Schumm) Germann (1868-1954). Mother of Edna and Viola Germann.

Rosina (Schumm) Germann (1868-1954). Mother of Edna and Viola Germann.

Edna and Viola labeled the above photo “Mother.” Their mother was Anna Elizabeth “Rosina” (Schumm) Germann (1868-1954), the daughter of Jacob Frederick and Maria (Germann) Schumm and wife of Stephen E. Germann.

Check. One photo identified. Thank you Edna and Viola.

There is also a connection between Velma Schumm and sisters Edna and Viola. [I know, I know–there is always a connection somewhere in the Schumm family…] The above “Rosina” (Schumm) Germann was the sister of Velma’s father Phillip. So Velma and the Germann sisters were first cousins. But they were also third cousins, depending on which common ancestors you look at. It’s complicated. And it is not surprising that there are a number of photos that are in both collections,since they share the same grandparents. That’s ok. I am just happy to have to opportunity to scan them.

Who knows what else I will learn as I scan and compare photos.

I was in Van Wert last week, browsing through some old issues of The Willshire Herald on microfilm. I found the obituary of Edward Kuehm, the subject of my Tombstone Tuesday a couple weeks ago. Edward died in an oil accident in Oklahoma in 1922. It was a challenge to find his wife’s maiden name since they were not married at Zion and she is not buried there, but her name is on the tombstone. Unfortunately his obituary did not mention his wife either, or his daughter.

Edward Kuehm confirmation photos, 1907.

Edward Kuehm confirmation photos, 1907.

Since most Karen’s Chatt readers probably don’t reread old posts I have inserted his obituary here and have added it to the original post, after the fact.

Ohio Man Drowned in Oklahoma Oil Tank
Relatives in the vicinity of Chattanooga last Saturday received a telegram informing them of the death of Ed Kuehm. He was drowned in a tank of oil at Yale, Okla., Saturday, Oct. 28, 1922. The tank deck gave away as he was walking across it, precipitating him into the tank filled with oil.

The remains were brought home for burial, the funeral taking place Wednesday forenoon from the German Lutheran church at Chattanooga, conducted by the pastor, Rev. Mr. Hoyer. Deceased was a world war veteran, and members of Homer Pierson Post attended the funeral, bestowing upon their departed comrade certain military rites under the auspices of the American Legion.

Mr. Kuehm, who is related to Mr. and Mrs. Gale Hook of this town, was well-known in the community south of town, and a number of years ago was employed by C.V. Fisher in the oil fields in the vicinity of Willshire and Chattanooga. [1]

Another project I recently started is to create a Roots Magic database of Zion Chatt members, starting when the church began in 1855. For this project I am using the church records as well as other sources. The Idea is to have a database, starting with the original church families, so I can easily see how many of those families are interconnected. As I write the Tombstone Tuesdays I am always amazed to see the family connections. Having the information in one database will be helpful and handy.

That sounds great, but this project is going to take a lot of time and research. The research from my past Tombstone Tuesdays will help construct the database. I expect that most of Chatt  and the surrounding area will be in the database by the time it is finished.

That pretty much sums up my summer. Now back to work…

 

[1] The Willshire Herald, Willshire, Ohio, 2 Nov 1922, p.1.

1 comment

    • Marcie Edgell on September 5, 2014 at 9:21 am
    • Reply

    Happy 90th Birthday to Phil White!

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