St. Paul Lutheran Church was Struck by Lightning!

In late May of 1903, St. Paul Lutheran Church in Chuckery was struck by lightning.  The damage was discovered on a Sunday morning when the church was opened for morning worship.  Plaster was knocked off of the walls and from the ceiling.  The lightning ran down the chandeliers.  It also ran down the stove pipe, knocking the pipe to the floor.  It is estimated by the church trustees that a few dollars will repair the damage.

An Illness in the Burger Family

In late May of 1898 a bone sickness struck Laura Burger, ten year old daughter of Conrad Burger.  As a result of this illness, Laura lost one of her legs just below the knee.  At the time, it was feared that she would soon die.  But, she did live for another several years.

German Picnic Announcement

The Germans of Chuckery announced their School and Mission Sunday Picnic in late May of 1899.  The plan is to host a huge picnic on Sunday June 11.  Morning preaching duties were to be assumed by Rev. Keuchle of Neudettlesau (the German Settlement).  Afternoon preaching duties were to be assumed by Rev. Bruggelmann of Hilliards.  All preaching on picnic Sunday will be held in the picnic grove behind St. Paul Church.

Preaching at the German Church

On May 22, 1899 the German Lutheran Congregation at St. Paul in Chuckery held a special preaching.  This preaching was nine days after ascension day.

Going Visiting. . .

With crops all successfully planted, many farmers in the Chuckery neighborhood found time to visit or entertain visitors in late May of 1899.  John Burns reportedly visited friends in Marysville.  And, the Auer family from Marysville was in the Chuckery are to visit the John Thiergartner family.

Swindlers in Chuckery!

May of 1899 brought thieves to Chuckery.  They were a band of men claiming to install lightning rods in houses at a discounted rate.  The finally agreed to outfit a Chuckery home at the cost of $5.  They put this cost in writing, and obtained a home owner's signature for this price.  When the home owner read the entire paper, it was discovered that the swindlers had listed the price at $5 per rod on the house.  When the home owner became upset with this, the swindlers agreed to outfit the entire house for $30.  The home owner agreed to this new price, and he signed a new contract.  After signing the contract, he discovered that "impression" paper had been used and that three contracts had been signed.  Local authorities are looking into the matter.

Rest in Peace, Sidney Mortgridge

On May 18, 1898, aged Chuckery neighbor Sidney Mortgridge died.  He lived on a farm that was located on present day Rosedale-Plain City Road.  His funeral was held in Plain City.

Rest in Peace, Crazy Billy

Crazy Billy was a man whom no one really knew in Chuckery.  He just appeared on day on the farm of Ed Kleiber.  And, he worked in return for food and lodging.  On May 18, 1886, Crazy Billy got up and went outside to begin his work when he fell over in convulsions.  He soon died.  He was sorely missed on the Kleiber farm.

Emanuel Bishop's Farm

Emanuel Bishop, son of John Bishop, lived on his father's farm just a mile north of Chuckery.  John Bishop lived on another farm at Bridgeport.  In May of 1894, Emanuel Bishop kept busy building a new barn on the Chuckery farm.  Apparently he became scarcely seen at family meals, so on May 17 of 1894, the entire extended Bishop family made a surprise visit to see Emanuel.

Improvements in Chuckery

In 1894, the Germans in Chuckery built a parsonage for Rev. Knust.  Initially, the house was not painted, but by late May, the German Lutherans found time to paint the parsonage.  The Chuckery neighborhood agreed that this was a great addition to Chuckery.

Improvements on the George Nicol Farm

Richard Ousler and his son spent time in Chuckery in May of 1899.  They worked on the home of George Nicol, where they put in casings and finishings.  They did a very nice job, and the Nicol family highly recommends them.

A Neighbor's Sheep Have Been Killed!

May of 1886 was not kind to the Morse family.  Mr. Ray Morse, jr. lost several lambs and ewes to an animal attack.  The loss was quite costly.  It is hoped that the Morse family does not experience anymore losses this year.

Philip Bishop

From the Marysville Evening Tribune May 13, 1938


DEATH CLAIMS PHILIP BISHOP


WELL-KNOWN CITIZEN PASSED AWAY THURSDAY EVENING AT HIS HOME HERE


Philip Bishop, aged 78, a retired farmer and one of Marysville’s best known citizens, passed away about 7:45 o’clock Thursday evening at his home, 418 West Fifth Street, following an illness of five day.
Mr. Bishop was born on a farm on the Weaver Road on December 8, 1859, to the late George and Magdalena Gase Bishop, and spent his entire life in this community. He was a farmer for many years and at the time of his death still owned a farm just south of Bridgeport, where his son William Bishop and family reside.
Mr. Bishop was preceded in death by six sisters and three brothers. He was twice married. His first marriage was to Miss Anna Barbara Emmert on April 10, 1882. On September 30, 1917, he united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Asman, who survives. Besides his wife and son, William, there survives a daughter, Mrs. William P. Vollrath of Milford Center, seven grandchildren; a brothers, George Bishop of Milford Center and sister, Mrs. Caroline Fogle of Marion. One grandchild, Walter Bishop, is deceased.
Funeral services Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the late residence in West Fifth Street and at 2:30 o’clock at Trinity Lutheran Church, of which he was an active member until his recent illness. Rev. E. J Goedeking, pastor of the church will officiate at the services. Interment in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in charge of Funeral Director L. H. Miller. 

A Chuckery Horse was Shot!

In 1886, Ray Morse, Sr. suffered a costly loss on his farm.  Some coward shot his prized horse.  The shot did not kill the horse, but the injuries were so great that the horse had to be put down.

Chuckery Ladies Cornet Band

In mid May of 1886, the Chuckery Ladies Cornet Band welcomed two new members to its rank.  The newest members were Miss Randy Kent and Carson McCloud.  Welcome, ladies!

Fairbanks Visitors

On May 10, 1899, Mrs. E. F. Fairbanks came to Chuckery from Springfield to visit with the Joel Fairbanks family.  Mrs. Fairbanks brough her infant daughter with her.  On this same day, Miss Mary Fairbanks went to Marysville to visit some friends.  A few days prior to this visit, Eddie Adams from Mt. Olive visited the John Fairbanks family at Chuckery.

David Watson Suffered a Stroke

In May of 1885, the Marysville Tribune reported that Chuckery resident suffered a stroke of paralysis.  It was noted that the doctor has given Mr. Watson no hope of recovery.  Chuckery neighbors were saddened by this news.

The Chuckery Ladies Band

In early May of 1886, the Chuckery Ladies Band was quite busy.  After a very successful and well attended concert at Lewis Chapel in Chuckery, the band was given the opportunity to perform in Marysville.  The band was then booked to preform on May 7.

Phellis Cemetery

Anyone who knows me, knows that I love to explore cemeteries.  Recently I volunteered to take a meal to a friend after the recent birth of her daughter.  I decided to map the shortest route to her house, and while mapping the route I discovered a tiny pioneer cemetery nearby.  According to Google Earth, this cemetery  is called the Phellis Cemetery.  But, this is where I have hit a brick wall.  Can anyone tell me anything about the Phellis Cemetery on Rosedale Road?  I am very curious now, and I would love to explore that old cemetery soon!

Sunday Visitors

On the first Sunday in May of 1898, the Marysville Tribune reported that Mathias Loschky of near Woodstock had traveled to the German Settlement to visit George Buschoff (Bishop).

The Epworth League at Lewis Chapel

In early May of 1893, the Plain City Methodist Episcopal Church helped the youth of Lewis Chapel in Chuckery to form an Epworth League.  This was an early version of today's MYF, of Methodist Youth Fellowship.  There were 25 original members of the Lewis Chapel Epworth League.  At their first meeting, these youth elected the following people to officer positions - Lin Elliott, President; George R. Mitchell, 1st Vice President; Alice Fairbanks, 2nd Vice President;  A. R. Bigelow, 3rd Vice President; Amy Bigelow, 4th Vice President; Effie Baker, Secretary; and John Fairbanks, Treasurer.

Progress in Chuckery

1898 brought change to Chuckery.  The United States was involved in the Spanish American War, and this was talk of the town.  But Chuckery also had its eye on local expansion.  A post office was opened in the general store in the spring of 1898.  And, soon talks of a Chuckery phone line overtook the community.  A rail line was even mapped that would connect Plain City to Urban through Chuckery.  However, this rail line was never built.

Another Spring Marriage

In May of 1887, the Marysville Tribune announced that Mr. John Myers (Mayer) and Miss Mary (Maria) Rausch were recently married.  It was noted that many Germans in the Chuckery community attended the wedding.  The newlyweds made their home on the Unionville Road east of Chuckery.

School is Back in Session at St. Paul

Spring breaks of yesteryear were longer than the spring breaks enjoyed by children today.  And, those long ago spring breaks tended to coincide with planting seasons in local communities, unlike today when spring breaks often coincide with the Easter holiday.  In 1895, school returned to session at St. Paul in Chuckery on the first of May.