Vital Statistics, 1887 Style

Chuckery of the past was a bustling community. Scarcely a week passed when there was not a marriage, death, or birth. Between February 26 and March 3 in 1887 there was one marriage and one birth. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Temple welcomed a baby girl to their home on Lombard Road. And, Frank Burnham and Lillie Young were united in marriage at Lewis Chapel.

A Birthday Surprise

In 1886, little Frank Mc Cloud was diagnosed with bone erysipelas, an infection of the bone. As a result, he was confined to bed for several months. On his 11th birthday in February of 1887, the Chuckery community came together in order to surprise young Master Frank. Several of his school friends came to his house with presents. And, after supper, the neighborhood held a "magic" lantern celebration with music provided by the Chuckery Brass Band.

On the Mend

In February of 1887, Chuckery farmer George Burns was injured when a horse kicked him. By the end of February it was reported in the Marysville Tribune that Mr. Burns was on the mend. The community was pleased to hear this news.

Mr. and Mrs. George Scheiderer Welcome a Baby Boy

In February of 1896, it was reported that George Scheiderer had a new son. This boy was Alfred Friedrich Scheiderer. He was born on February 13, 1896 on a farm located on present-day Scheiderer Road.

The Chuckery Blacksmith Weds

February 25, 1902 Marysville Tribune

"Our genial blacksmith, Harley Baker and Miss Mae Brake, of Rosedale, made a trip to London on Thursday and were united as one. Of course, they were remembered in the evening by all the young people of the neighborhood who came to congratulate them. A long and happy journey through life together is our wish."

Chuckery Jobs

February of 1899 found many in this community in new jobs. Mr. Bigelow, proprietor of the Chuckery General Store, found himself very busy selling Milwaukee hay machines, so, he hired Frank Wist to tend the store. Ernest Doellinger (Dellinger) assumed the milk hauling route vacated by Mr. Wist.

Chuckery Mourns the Loss of George Burns' Mother

On February 9, 1899, Anna Barbara (Bischoff) Born/Burns passed away at Neudettlesau. Her funeral was well attended by friends and family, including J. George Burns of Chuckery. Mrs. Burns was buried in the St. Johns Cemetery.

Rev. H. C. Knust

From the Journal Tribune February 22, 1961

Former Chuckery Pastor Dies in Chicago

The Rev. Henry C. Knust, first pastor of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Chuckery, died Tuesday (Feb. 21, 1961) in Chicago at the age of 90.

In his later years, he lived with his daughter, Mrs. Ernest Nobis, in Chicago.
The pastor emeritus ministered at St. Paul’s from 1893 to 1921. He moved from the church to a pastorship at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Hamler, O.

In August of 1943, the Rev. Knust celebrated his 50th year in the Lutheran ministry.
Three times married, each of his wives died before him. They were the former Minnie Kuhn, Louise Werfelmann, mother of his four surviving children, and Augusta Scheiderer.

Surviving besides his daughter in Chicago are three other daughters, Mrs. Herman Nicol of Plain City, with whom he spent last summer visiting, Mrs. William Haak of Western Springs, and Mrs. Reinie Gurgel of Brookfield. Fourteen grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren also survive.
Services will be conducted Friday in Chicago.

A Day off School in the Mitchell District

In February of 1893, Miss Lisa McAdams, teacher at the Mitchell School, gave her students a day off while she spent the day with her family. The McAdams family held a family reunion near Milford Center.

An Accident in Chuckery

Charles Brown, of Chuckery, was working on his saw mill in February of 1897 when he was injured. He broke his leg just below the knee. Dr. Sower, the physician in Irwin, was called on to tend to the injury. The community hopes that Mr. Brown heals soon.

A Ground Breaking Ceremony

On February 19, 1989, ground was broken for an addition on the St. Paul Lutheran School building. The St. Paul school children participated in the festivities of the day, using a rope to pull the plow which broke the ground. This addition included two class rooms on the east side of the school building. Prior to this addition, there were just two classrooms in the school.

Mrs. (Maria) Thiergartner has a Visitor

In February of 1891, the Marysville Tribune reported that a Miss Gunderman of Marysville was near Chuckery visiting her sister, Mrs. Thiergartner. This sister was Maria Thiergartner, wife of John Thiergartner on the Lombard Road.

Philip Vollrath

From the Marysville Tribune February 18, 1931

MR. VOLLRATH DIED TUESDAY

WELL-KNOWN UNION TOWNSHIP FARMER SUCCUMBED FUNERAL SERVICES FRIDAY

Philip Vollrath, aged 76 years, well-known Union Township farmer, died Tuesday evening of kidney trouble and complications. He had been failing in strength for several months.

He was born in Darby township February 25, 1854, and had lived in the vicinity of Chuckery all of his life. He was a son of Adam and Elizabeth Weidman Vollrath. His parents were natives of Germany. He was married to Anna Barbara Rausch, February 28, 1878.

Besides his wife, there remain three children, George Vollrath, Mrs. Margaret Doellinger, Mrs. Martin Bunsold, all of near Chuckery; a brother, John Vollrath, and step-sister, Mrs. Casper Buck (spelling?), reside in Marysville. A brother, Adam Vollrath, and two sisters, Mrs. George Doellinger and Mrs. Katherine Kile, are deceased. Two sisters also died in infancy. Mr. Vollrath was a charter member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at Chuckery.

Funeral services Friday afternoon at 1:30 o’clock at the residence, and at 2 o’clock at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, officiated by the Rev. C. J. Waccholz and interment in St. Paul’s cemetery in charge of L. H. Miller, funeral director of Marysville.

Mrs. Morgridge’s Accident

Mrs. Bailey Morgridge slipped and fell in February of 1886. The result was a broken leg. The Chuckery neighborhood prayed her recovery would be quick!

Another Scheiderer Barn

Gottlieb Scheiderer built a new barn on his farm in 1898. This was one of many barns being erected in the Chuckery neighborhood in early 1898.

A Teachers’ Meeting in Unionville Center

It was reported in a February 1887 edition of the Marysville Tribune that many people from Chuckery attended a Teachers’ Meeting at Unionville. The Chuckery Cornet Band and the Chuckery String Band were on hand to provide entertainment.

Mabel Geyer (1883-1961)

Mabel was Samuel and Mary Geyer’s daughter. She attended school on west side of road (across from Sally Burns’ farm) in Madison County about 1 mile south of Chuckery on Route 38. This school had just 8 grades. She did not want to quit at grade 8 so she repeated grade 8. Then, she began clerking in the Chuckery General Store in 1897 under Mr. McCullough. She worked there until 1904 when she got married. (Store closed in 1946.) She probably worshipped at Lewis Chapel Methodist Church from 1893 till it was closed in 1923. As a young mother with small children, she was an active member of Lewis Chapel Methodist Church.


- Lois Morse Barr
September 2007

St. Paul Mourns the Loss of Mrs. Knust

The February 12 edition of the 1896 Marysville Journal Tribune reported that Mrs. Knust died at her home last Sunday morning. Besides Rev. Knust, she left behind a new born son. The funeral was held at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Her remains were then taken to Hilliard's for burial.

In checking with St. Paul records, I discovered that Mrs. Knust was the former Wilhelmine "Minnie" Kuhn. She was born on February 15, 1873. And, she died on February 9, 1896. She was from St. Jacobus (present day St. James Lutheran Church) near Hilliards (Hilliard). She was buried in the Kuhn family plot in St. James Cemetery.

Elizabeth Priode Geyer (1829-1906)

Elizabeth Priode Geyer was Samuel Geyer’s mother. Elizabeth’s husband had been Lutheran in his early life but converted to German Methodist and became a circuit rider in Ohio. After his death in 1898 Elizabeth came up and spent a lot of time with her son Sam and his wife Mary at Chuckery. She enjoyed be able to converse in German with the Lutheran pastor at St. Paul’s as she said they spoke the same German dialect. She never gave up her Lutheran faith. She and her husband were both immigrants to Meigs County from Germany.


- Lois Morse Barr
September 2007

A Social Gathering in Chuckery

In February of 1893 twelve couples from Chuckery, Plain City, and Milford Center gathered at the home of Lin Elliott. Musical entertainment was provided by Miss Black from Plain City. Refreshments were served at midnight. And, then the couples all returned to their own homes. It was reported that all enjoyed the evening.

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Bennett

Former Chuckery resident, Mrs. William Bennett, passed away on January 29, 1893 at her parents' home in Milford Center. Her funeral was postponed until family and friends were able to make arrangements for a proper funeral. A funeral was held in the first week of February in 1893 at the Milford Center Methodist Episcopal Church with Reverend Adams officiating. The Chuckery community extended its sympathy to the Bennett family.

An Addition to the George Bishop Family

On February 8, 1893, the Marysville Tribune reported that a baby girl was recently born to Mr. and Mrs. George Bishop. In checking corresponding records at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chuckery, I discovered that this child was Urta (Urtha) Carolina Magdelena Bishop. She was born on February 2, 1893.

Improvements Around Chuckery

Several families in the Chuckery area made plans in the winter months of 1899 to make improvements to their farms. Conrad Nicol planned a new shed. John Scheiderer made plans for a new barn. And George Mitchell planned to build a new house. That was quite a lot of building in the small Chuckery community!

George Burns Marries Renua Morse

I love to read old newspapers! And, while working on the 2010 St. Paul Genealogy Book, I stumbled across many very interesting items. Soon I created a file for all of these tidbits, and that file is literally overflowing even though I have only combed through newspapers from 1887-1904. Who know what I might find tomorrow? This is why I keep reading these old papers.

BURNS MARRIAGE LICENSE

On February 7, 1903, the Marysville Evening Tribune listed marriage licenses for the week. It was reported that George Freidrich Born (Burns) aged 21 and Renua Alice Morse aged 25 had submitted an application with the County Court to marry. St. Paul Lutheran Church records show that they were married on February 8, 1903.

Matthias Loschky

From the Marysville Tribune February 6, 1919

MATTHIAS LOSCHKY

Died Last Saturday While on Visit with Relative in Wisconsin Body Brought to Plain City

Matthias Loschky, former successful farmer of the Chuckery neighborhood, died Saturday in Wisconsin where he was on a visit when he was stricken with paralysis. The body was brought last Monday evening to Plain City, where Mr. Loschky had been living since his retirement from the farm. He was 73 years of age.

St. Paul Pastor Invited to Speak at St. Johns

In February of 1897, St. Johns Lutheran Church - Neudettelsau held a celebration in honor of the 6th anniversary of its Mannechor. A performance was presented by this choir. And, many people addressed those gathered for the concert. One of the invited speakers was Reverend H. C. Knust from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chuckery. Other speakers included Justus and Henry Scheiderer and Reverend Werfelmann of the Settlement.

Gottleib Scheiderer and Family go Visiting

In the first week of February in 1897, the Marysville Evening Tribune reported that Gottlieb Scheiderer and family from Chuckery spent a recent Sunday afternoon with Fred Scheiderer in the Settlement - Neudettlesau.

Guardianship of John Frederick Dellinger's (Doellinger) Children

On February 3, 1093, the Marysville Evening Tribune reported that Elizabeth Dellinger, wife of John Frederick Dellinger, was granted guardianship of children Walter and Ida (Edith) Dellinger.

St. Paul - Chuckery

Celebrating 120 years of a Lutheran presence in Chuckery

In late 1891, many congregants of St. Johns-Neudettelsau appealed to their voters' assembly for the creation of a branch church site on the Darby Plains, near Chuckery. Travel to Neudettelsau had become cumbersome as Lutherans moved further onto the Darby Plains. The distance from Chuckery to Neudettelsau is ten miles, but before 1900 that distance may have as well been 100 miles. Poor roads with a horse the primary mode of transportation, left many German Lutheran families a tough choice in regards to religion and education. The families could attend church only when the roads were passable. And, many families chose to send their children to stay with relatives in the German Settlement during the winter months so that their studies remained uninterrupted.

On August 23, 1891 St. Johns Lutheran Church, Neudettelsau, Ohio voted to erect a branch church/school building south of Big Darby Creek near Chuckery. John Adam Rausch generously offered to give three acres of land to this cause. However, the choice of the location of this land was left to those Lutherans near Chuckery. The Chuckery Lutherans decided that they would need ten acres of land, so they decided to purchase an additional seven acres with their own funds. On March 14, 1892, the Plains Branch of St. Johns Lutheran Church purchased ten acres of land from John and Elizabeth Scheiderer at a price of $67.00 per acre. Chris Eickemeyer of Marysville was awarded the contract to erect the first building for this branch congregation.

The church/school building at Chuckery was dedicated on May 29, 1892. And, Reverend Werfelmann of St. Johns began to preach in Chuckery every third Sunday afternoon of each month. The Plains Branch of St. Johns sent forth its first call to the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod in the summer of 1892. But, this call was denied as there were more calls than available ministers. The Synod asked St. Johns to wait another year before splitting the congregation.

Reverend Werfelmann began to teach school three days each week at Chuckery in the fall of 1892. He maintained this schedule through the fall and winter months, when it was possible. Miss Mathilde (Tillie) Scheiderer was hired to teach the spring term in 1893. She had the honor of being the first resident teacher of the Lutheran School in Chuckery. She was also the first woman teacher at the school. There would not be another woman teacher until 1967.

In the summer of 1893, St. Johns once again sent a call to the Synod for a minister. And, this time, the call was accepted by a ministerial candidate, Heinrich Carl Knust. On August 27, 1893, Reverend H. C. Knust was formally ordained by Reverend Werfelmann. On September 3, 1893, Reverend Knust gave delivered his first sermon at St. Johns Neudettelsau. On September 10, 1893, Reverend Knust and twenty six families who lived on the Darby Plains were granted a release from St. Johns. And, on September 17, 1893, St. Paul Lutheran Church at Chuckery was officially chartered.

Over the years, St. Paul Lutheran Church have always been intertwined. From its beginning, until 1902, the church and school shared one building. A separate church was erected in 1902. This building was dedicated on October 12, 1902.

In the early years, Reverend Knust served as both preacher and teacher at St. Paul. However, in 1906 a teacher, Carl W. Buuck, was hired. Until 1967, the school was served by just one teacher. This is truly remarkable given the fact that at peace enrollment there were over sixty children in grades 1-7. The original church/school building served the school until 1952. A new building was dedicated on March 15, 1953. While the new school building was being erected, school sessions were held in the old Chuckery Special School building.

There is much, much more to the St. Paul story! Please follow this blog while I discover more as St. Paul celebrates its 120th year. Also look for more information at www.stpaulchuckery.com.