Recipes from the Past - Part IV

Today we have "Pear Pie" as found in the Oak Harbor, Ohio Personal Recipes by CIRCLE No. 1, Woman's Society Christian Service, Oak Harbor Methodist Church. It was submitted by Mrs. Leon Lentz. I am assuming Mrs. Leon Leutz & Mrs. Leon Lentz are one and the same. Enjoy!

PEAR PIE

1 crust, unbaked

Fill crust with finely sliced ripe pears. Mix through pears:
1 c. sugar
1 Tbsp. flour
1/8 tsp. cloves
pinch salt

Dot with butter, lemon juice and 3 Tbsp. cream. Cover while baking. Bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes; turn to 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until pears are tender. Remove cover last few minutes.

Where It Fits: Mary Cary is the daughter of Leon Leutz & Merle Fritsche. Mary Cary married Merrill Rudes and they are the parents of Diane, Merrill, Terrence & De Ila.

Today In History: Today Harold Johannsen turns 89 and Peter Madison turns 136.

Matches

This post was delivered to my doorstep yesterday, literally. Jeff Streng was at his step-daughters apartment/house where they had just torn out a wall. It seems inside the wall was a collection of matchbooks and he scarfed this one up and brought it to us. THANK YOU JEFF!

Timeframe: Good question. If you look at the back of the matchbook it was printed after World War II.
Where It Fits: Merrill is the father of Diane, Merrill, Terrence & De Ila. He is the son of Merrill Rudes & Della Meyer. He is the grandson of Carlos Rudes & Lillie Hatch and George Meyer & Marguerite Schnackenberg.

Today In History: Today Rachel Laing turns 16! HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!

Mystery Monday: 1904-1907

This beautiful young lady has a pouched front, high collar to chin, slight puff on the sleeve of the coat and the hair is puffed out at the sides to help hold up her lovely hat. She is wearing a ring on her right hand that almost comes up to her first knuckle but that appears to be the only jewelry. She is almost picture perfect from 1904-1907 but most certainly the early 1900's. Can anybody identify the lovely lady?

Merrill Rudes

This is Merrill Rudes. I am assuming this is his senior picture but that is simply because of the pose and his age.

Timeframe: If this is a senior picture he graduated from Genoa High School about 1938 or 1939.

Where It Fits: Merrill is the father of Diane, Merrill, Terrence & De Ila. He is the son of Merrill Rudes & Della Meyer. He is the grandson of Carlos Rudes & Lilly Hatch and George Meyer & Marguerite Schnackenberg.

Today In History: Today Friederika Richardson-Hopfinger would be 183.

Joyce Johannsen Allen

Today we have a picture of Joyce Johannsen-Allen.

Timeframe: The back says it was taken October 18, 1938 which would make Joyce five years old.

Where It Fits: Joyce it the mother of Kymberly Allen. She is the daughter of Lorenz Johannsen & Velma Taylor. She is the granddaughter of Julius Johannsen & Caroline Japsen and Walter Taylor & Martha McMurray. She is also 77 years old today! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

We're goin' to the chapel . . . or house

This picture is labeled as "Flossie Windisch & William Michle Wedding" with "Merle Fritsche bridesmaid" and "Edward Michel bestman". I am assuming the rest of the people in this photograph are probably family, I just need to figure out who is who.

Timeframe: Sadly I don't have the marriage date for William & Flossie but the large hairbow that Merle seemed to be so fond of was popular in the mid-1910's. Think between 1913-1917 or so. Since Merle is listed as a bridesMAID I assume it was taken before October, 1913. After October, 1913 and it would be Merle Leutz, matron of honor. :-)

Where It Fits: Christian Fritsche & Dorothea Langschwanger had ten children; two of which were Robert & Emilie. Robert married Caroline Hopfinger and they had Merle, the bridesmaid. Emilie married Frank Michel and they are the parents of William & Edward Michel.

Recipes from the Past - Part III

Today we have "Quick Beef Stroganoff" as found in the Oak Harbor, Ohio Personal Recipes by CIRCLE No. 1, Woman's Society Christian Service, Oak Harbor Methodist Church. It was submitted by Mary Carey Rudes. Enjoy!

QUICK BEEF STROGANOFF

1 lb. ground beef
2 c. chopped onions
1/3 c. Mazola salad oil
3 1/2 c. uncooked noodles
3 c. tomato juice
2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. celery salt
1/2 c. water
1/2 c. sour cream

Saute beef and onions in hot Mazola oil. Place uncooked noodles on top of meat mixture. Mix remaining ingredients, pour over noodles, moistening noodles well. Do not stir. Bring to boil, then turn heat low, cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until noodles are tender. Use a 3 or 4 quart kettle. Makes 6 servings.

Where It Fits: Mary Cary is the daughter of Leon Leutz & Merle Fritsche. Mary Cary married Merrill Rudes and they are the parents of Diane, Merrill, Terrence & De Ila.

Dale Blair Allen

This is one of my Grandpa's favorite pictures, he even has pictures of my brothers in the same pose at about the same age. This is a picture of my Grandpa's father, Dale Allen. Today he would have turned 106.

Timeframe: I am guessing two or three so roughly 1906 or 1907.

Where It Fits: Dale is the son of Joseph Blair Allen & Sadie Geneva Golden. He married Helen Naomi Stoner and they had nine biological children and one adopted daughter; LeDonna, Donald, Ralph, Richard, Thomas, Virginia, Robert, Carol, Margaret & Deborah.

Robert R. Fritsche

This picture is labeled to the gills. According to the back this is a picture of Robert Fritsche, 3 years, 6 months. According to the front he is "ready for the hay field".

Timeframe: Assuming that the date on the back was very literal this picture was taken in September/October of 1909 as Robert was born March 23, 1906.

Where It Fits: Robert R. Fritsche is the son of Edward Fritsche & Adell Minier. Edward is the son of Christian Fritsche & Dorothea Langschwager making him the brother of Robert J. Fritsche. That makes Merle Fritsche-Leutz the cousin of Robert R. Fritsche.

Mystery Monday: Schultz & Co.

Okay, this is one of the unlabeled but that isn't the only reason this is a mystery. In all of Grandma Johannsen and Grandma Rudes' pictures I have seen this photographer mentioned all of twice. Once on this image and once on an image of an older man, both from Grandma Rudes. There is no mention made of them in Ohio Photographers so I can't narrow the date by their information. You can't see very much of her outfit but I am going to give this my best. Judging by the tie, the hair, the shoulders/sleeves and the earrings this picture was taken in the early 1870's.

Where It Fits: Homemade cookies for the person who can tell me who this is and why they believe it to be them!

Mary Cary, Della, Diane & Merrill

This is another one of those water damaged pictures but I believe I can make everybody out. This appears to be Della Meyer-Rudes, Mary Cary Leutz-Rudes, Diane & baby Merrill.

Timeframe: Looks like the Spring/Summer of 1946 to me.

Where It Fits: Della Meyer married Merrill Rudes. They had Merrill Rudes & George Rudes. Their son Merrill married Mary Caroline Leutz and they had four children. The oldest two children are in this picture, Diane & Merrill.

Merle & the Graduate

Some of you might remember a post with A.J. from last month. For those of you that don't you can see it again here. This is another picture from the same set. I believe this is Mary Cary with her mother, Merle.

Timeframe: Mary Cary graduated from Ohio State University in 1939. I do believe these are some pictures from that event.

Where It Fits: Mary Cary is the mother of Diane, Merrill, Terrence and De Ila Rudes. She is the daughter of Merle Fritsche & Leon Leutz.

Ervin P. Johannsen

UPDATE:  Darla Johannsen's comment on the original post confirms that this is Ervin Paul Johannsen, her father.  She also added "He married Gurneth Schultze, daughter of John Schultze and Alma Blausey."  Thank you very much Darla!  


This is a picture of Ervin Johannsen. Today would have been his 91st birthday.

Timeframe: I am guessing it was taken about the time of his high school graduation so roughly 1937 or 1938. Just a hunch.

Where It Fits: Ervin is the father of Lowell & Darla. He is the son of John Johannsen & Marie Margaret Steffens. He is the grandson of Julius Johannsen & Caroline Japsen and Otto Steffens and Theresa Shilling. He is the great-grandson of Wilhelm Johannsen & Marie Christiansen, Niels Japsen & Maria Lorenzen and Otto Steffens & Adella Gerkan.

Confirmation Class

Today is going to be slightly different. I am going to share a picture but not in the usual way. I was doing some research and found the website of a lady by the name of Jane Irish Nelson. She was very nice and helpful when I asked for information and she shared plenty. If you want to stop by her page now and look at the picture I will explain who is who, just click here.

As you can see she identifies the people in the image as Christine Dammros, Auguste Spiess, Auguste Kleindienst, Elisabetha Kuhnle, Ida Starckloff, Josephine Warnke, Anton Bahnsen, Franz Nissen, Redlef Christiansen, Johann Ed. Fritsche and Edward Huber.

Timeframe: March 25, 1888, Palm Sunday.

Where It Fits: Are ya'll ready for this?

Auguste Kleindienst was born March 14, 1875 in Port Clinton, Ohio to Franklin Vinzen Kleindienst & Mary Johannsen. She was the wife of Charles Rudolph and the granddaughter of Volkert Johannsen & Anna Danklefsen. Who is Volkert Johannsen? Oh, sorry. Volkert Johannsen is the brother of Wilhelm Johannsen. Volkert died in Germany but Anna and the children came to the United States, Port Clinton specifically. That would make Volkert the uncle of Julius & August Johannsen.

Jane explains where Anton Bahnsen fits. Anton is the son of Martin August Bahnsen and grandson of Andres Marcus Bahnsen. Andres married Maria Catharina Christiansen. Marie Catharine Christiansen is the daughter of Matz Christiansen. Matz also had a son, Redlef Christiansen. Redlef married Gude Boyson. Their daughter was Marie Christiansen, the mother of Julius & August Johannsen and grandmother of Lorenz Redlef Johannsen. Lorenz is the father of James & Joyce.

Franz Nissen is the son of Nicolai Nissen & Theresa Eybsen.

Redleff Christiansen is the son of Rickleff Christiansen & Caroline Japsen. He was born in Port Clinton on October 9, 1874. His father, Rickleff, is the son of Redlef Christiansen & Gude Boysen. That makes him the nephew of Marie Christiansen-Johannsen and a cousin of Julius & August Johannsen. He is the father of Clara Christiansen-Robel & Laurabel Christiansen-Velliquette. Also, Caroline Japsen, the wife of Rickleff Christiansen is the aunt of Caroline Japsen . . . the one that married Julius Johannsen. :-) Did I lose you with that one?

Johann Edward Fritsche, born in Oak Harbor on January 19, 1872. In my family tree I have an Edward Johann Fritsche that was born in Oak Harbor on January 19, 1872. I do believe these two boys are in fact one and the same. Edward Johann is the son of Christian Fritsche & Dorothea Langschwanger. His brother, Robert, married Caroline Hopfinger. That makes Johann/Edward the cousin of Merle Fritsche-Leutz.

Recipes from the Past - Part II

Today we have "Cheese Souffle" as found in the Oak Harbor, Ohio Personal Recipes by CIRCLE No. 1, Woman's Society Christian Service, Oak Harbor Methodist Church. It was submitted by Esther St. Clair. Enjoy!

CHEESE SOUFFLE

4 Tbsp butter or margarine
4 Tbsp. flour, sifted
1 1/2 c. milk
1/2 lb. cheddar cheese, cut fine
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
6 eggs, separated

Melt butter or margarine, add flour and blend. Slowly add milk, salt and pepper. Cook until smooth and thickened. Add cheese, and stir until melted. Pour slowly over well beaten egg yolks and cool. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites. Bake in well greased casserole. Serve immediately after removing from oven. Serves 6. Use 3 quart casserole. Preheat over to 300 degrees. Bake 1 1/4 hours.

Where It Fits: Esther St. Clair is the daughter of Walter Rice & Alpha Humphrey. Esther married Clayton St. Clair and they had four children; Jean, Beverly, Dennis & Karen. Beverly married James Johannsen. James & Beverly are the parents of Kyle, Cynda & Lynda.

Velma Taylor Johannsen Short

This is a picture of Velma Johannsen/Short taken in about September, 1983.

Timeframe: September, 1983?

Where It Fits: Velma is the daughter of Martha Matilda Alemedia McMurray & Walter Taylor. She married Lorenz/Lawrence Johannsen and they had James & Joyce. After the death of Lorenz/Lawrence she married Alvin Short.

Mystery Monday: Cross Necklaces

This image was taken by A.C. Platt, Sandusky, Ohio.

Timeframe: We can't see very much of the attire for this dress so the timeframe is a rather broad one but let's see what we have. The bodice closes in the front and when you zoom in on the picture the buttons appear flat. That dates this image to 1878 - 1882. That timeframe also has notes on narrow sleeves and high low stand collars. The hair and the jewelry were popular for no time period.

Where It Fits: That is the part where you play along. But wait, there's more! :-)

Same collar on the dress, same button front, same awful haircut, same necklace, same photographer, different woman.


Once again we have the same chop job, round flat buttons on the bodice, same necklace, same photographer, similar attire . . . If you look at the profile for this outfit you have large round buttons (although for this time frame they usually were not flat), V-neck ruffles, armhole over shoulder and there was a large amount of women that used "false hair". Since that braid looks interesting I am assuming it could be a headband made to look like a braid. Especially since it suddenly thins as soon as it gets behind her ear. Did the braid not go all the way around or was it a headband like device?

Assuming these images were taken about the same time they could have been taken anytime between 1869 & 1882. Highly irregular if I do say so myself.

Now, if you will go back and look at them they all have a rather unusual necklace. After searching all my historical resources I could find NO cross necklaces or even any necklaces of this style. I found that rather odd. Mom and I bounced it back a forth and decided to call the Catholic church to see if they could offer any clues. Mom called the archivist at the Toledo Archdioceses. He found it to be of great interest and suggested we attempt to contact St. Mary's Central Catholic of Sandusky, Holy Angels of Sandusky and St. Francis of the Fremont area. After a little looking we called the "Jill of most trades", Rosie, at Holy Angels. Rosie found it of interest and suggested we contact Carol Steele. Carol is interested in church and family history. She agreed that the necklaces are very original and the fact that all three have the same necklace and really can't be narrowed down implies some connection with something. She suggested I contact Mary Carabin, the queen of information on Catholic organizations and churches for the area. Mom is still attempting to get a hold of Mary. All in all I think we have a large group of people looking into this one and I will let you know if we manage to uncover anything. These women being novices or in some way connected with the church is likely as members of both the Hopfinger and Washa families are Catholic, including but not limited to Sister Mary David Hopfinger & Sister Mary Rose Estelle Hopfinger who sadly were born well after the allotted timeframe for these ladies.

So, any ideas anybody? I will let you know if/when I hear anything.

Aunt Sophia's House

Today we have a picture "in Aunt Sophia Fritsche's back yard (Walnut St & Church)". It looks like it was also taken in the winter/spring since there are little patches of snow, naked trees and big bushy winter coats. According to the back we have Mary Wheeler, Bethel & Emma Fought. I am assuming that is Bethel Madison. Now the question is are these relatives? Friends? What brought them all together in Sophia's backyard? Today would have been Bethel's 107th birthday.

Timeframe: Good question Ollie. Bethel was born in 1903 and she looks to be a teenager in the picture so I would say somewhere around the 1920's.

Where It Fits: Bethel is the daughter of Myrtle Luetz. Myrtle is the sister of Leon Leutz and Bethel is a cousin to Ivan, Grace, Mary Cary, Robert, AJ, Beetrice & Monabell Leutz.

Robert & Sophia Fritsche

This is another picture that Uncle Bob was kind enough to identify for me. This couple is Robert John Fritsche and his second wife, Sophia Lipstraw. According to Uncle Bob there was a little jealousy between Sohpia and Merle. According to Sophia, Robert spent much to much time doting on his daughter and not nearly enough time doting on her. They divorced. Robert got the house and while Sophia was packing she took all the light bulbs. I am not sure that was entirely called for but not knowing the situation I at least tip my hat to her for coming up with something so original. I bet his expression was priceless when he discovered that one!

Timeframe: Robert & Sophia were married in June of 1916. They are still living together in the 1920 census and Sophia is listed as a widow in the 1930's census so I am unsure on how official the divorce was. Sophia is living with her father and listed as a widow and the date of the census is April 14th, three days after Robert's death. Anywho, that means this picture was taken between June, 1916 and April, 1930. Sorry but I can't be any more specific than that.

Where It Fits: Sophia Lipstraw is the daughter of Louie & Minnie Lipstraw. As far as I know she only married Robert and she had no children.

Robert John or John Robert Fritsche is the son of Christian Fritsche & Dorothea Langschwager. Robert, with his first wife Caroline, is the father of Merle Fritsche and a child that died in infancy. Merle married Leon Leutz making Robert/John the grandfather of Mary Cary, Robert & A.J.

Nieman Children

This picture came to me labeled, as you can clearly see. At least I know exactly who is who.

Timeframe: There is a lot to use to narrow this image down. J.E. Duignan operated in Port Clinton, Ohio between 1888 & 1897. Bess, the youngest in this image, was born March, 1890 so obviously it is after that date. Cora, the next child, was born in December, 1894. Bess doesn't appear to be much older than two, possibly three but I feel that might be a stretch. Therefore I believe this was taken in 1892 or close thereto.

Where It Fits: "John, Ed, Frank, Bess, Clara and Lem" are the oldest six children of Fredrick H. Nieman & Phylea Hopfinger. They are the grandchildren of Fredrick Nieman & Christina Schriber and Charles Hopfinger & Friederika Richardson. That makes them the cousins of Merle Fritsche-Leutz.

In History: On the 9th of this month John Nieman turned 127. On the 11th of this month Frank Nieman turned 126 and last but not least, Clara Nieman Hasselbach turns 120 on the 30th. MARCH BABIES ARE AWESOME!

Laura Japsen Wineland

This picture was identified as Laura Japsen by either Katherine Capizzi or Margaret Kuhlman, probably both.

Timeframe: It was taken at Spies on Market Street, Sandusky, Ohio. This doesn't narrow anything down for me but Laura was born in 1898 so it would be safe to assume this picture was taken after 1910. She is wearing a ring on her left hand which would imply she is married or engaged to be so at this time. In the 1920 census she is still living with her parents and unmarried. When her father died in 1934 she is mentioned as "Mrs. Ralph Wineland" and living in Detroit, Michigan. Therefore I assume this was taken between 1920 & 1934, I can not get any closer than that.

Where It Fits: Laura is the daughter of Peter Lorenz Japsen & Ottiellie B. Laurens. She would be 112 years old this month.

Recipes from the Past

Since I have been looking for some "new" recipes, meaning at least new to me, I decided why not post some old ones. Today we have "Baked Carrots" as found in the Oak Harbor, Ohio Personal Recipes by CIRCLE No. 1, Woman's Society Christian Service, Oak Harbor Methodist Church. It was submitted by Mrs. Leon Leutz. Enjoy!

Baked Carrots

2 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 lb. pkg. American cheese
3 c. cooked diced carrots
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/4 c. milk

Make cream sauce with butter, flour, nutmeg, salt and milk. Add cheese and cook, stirring until cheese is melted. Place carrots in greased casserole. Add cheese sauce, bake 25 minutes at 400 degrees until golden brown. Serves 6.

Where It Fits: Mrs. Leon Leutz is the daughter of Robert J. Fritsche & Caroline Hopfinger. Mr. & Mrs. Leutz had three children; Mary Cary, Robert & A.J.

**UPDATE** Slightly labeled

UPDATE: Mystery Monday's aren't always mysteries forever! This is the family of Phylea Hopfinger & Fredrick Nieman. Fredrick & Phylea had eight children. In birth order we have Edward, John, Franklin, Clara Hasselbach, Elmer, Bessie Gauthier, Cora Boyson & Karl. I am assuming Karl is the missing name.

For the first mystery we have this picture of ten. The back is beautifully labeled in black ink pen as follows:

• Cora - August Boysen
• Bess - John Gauthier
• Elmer -
  
• John -
  
• Edward -
  
• Frank -
  
• Fred
• Clara - Arthur Hasselbach
• Phylia

Does anybody else see a problem with this? First, there are only nine names but ten faces in the picture. Second, what name goes with what face? Third, does this family have a last name? If the names follow and go left to right the back row would be Cora, Bess, Elmer, John, Edward & Frank. Is the younger male on the far right side Fred or does that make the older man sitting Fred, the young woman in the middle Clara and the woman on the right Phylia? That would leave the youngest male unnamed. Does anybody have any more information on this family?

Timeline: The photographers mark on the bottom right hand corner says "Banister". There is some writing below that but I can't make it out. When I look in "Ohio Photographers; 1839-1900" I find nothing. That isn't surprising because judging by the girls clothing on the far left I was guessing it was taken after 1900. I pulled out my trusty "Uncovering Your Ancestry through Family Photographs" and looked at the listing for female clothing after 1900. The listing for 1908-1914 is the last listing and it is the first to include the notation for skirts as "feet show". Since you can clearly see the girls feet I assume this was taken after 1908. The youngest child, Karl, was born in October of 1895. Assuming he is 14 or 15 years old that would make the picture taken in 1909 or 1910. Cora, the youngest girl, is only 10 months older than her brother and it is possible for her to be fourteen or fifteen I am guessing right around there.

Where It Fits: Frederick Henry Nieman is the son of Frederick Nieman & Christina Schriber. In February, 1879 he married Phylea Hopfinger. (You can find her name spelled a billion different ways.) Phylea is the daughter of Charles Hopfinger & Friedericka Richardson. As mentioned above they are the parents of Edward, John, Franklin, Clara Hasselbach, Elmer, Bessie Gauthier, Cora Boyson and Karl.

**UPDATE** The Wives of Oscar Leutz

UPDATE: According to the "Cemetery Inscriptions of Ottawa County, Ohio" in Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor, Ohio there are two Leutz wives buried side by side. "LEUTZ, Myrtle L. wife of O.N." was born in 1888 and died in 1907. "LEUTZ, Clara I. wife of O.N." was born in 1890 and died in 1919. When the weather gets a little better I hope to confirm that information. If nothing else that removes the myth about Myrtle dying when Ivan was born as she died in 1907 and Ivan was born in February of 1906. Oscar N. is not buried with them, he is buried with Louise in Toledo, Ohio.

"Mr. Oscar Leutz, local mail carrier, and Miss Bertha Woods, were married by Rev. Mr. Kennedy." -- Ottawa County News Democrat, Friday, December 31, 1920

According to Uncle Bob, Oscar was only married to Bertha for a very short time. He believes only a couple of days. Bertha would be wife #3. Does anybody know why they were married such a short time? Does anybody know what happened to her? Did they get a divorce or did Bertha die? What's the rest of the story Paul Harvey?

How about any of his other wives? He married Myrtle Long about 1904 and they had Ivan in 1906. I can't find any records regarding her after the birth of her son. I heard a rumor she died in childbirth or shortly there after but like I said I can find nothing.

January 25, 1909 he married Clara I. Newton. They were married for a little over ten years when the flu epidemic hit and Clara died. She was pregnant at the time of her death.

Last but certainly not least came Louise Witt. She had a daughter, Grace, with Oscar in 1924. According to Grandma Mary Cary, Grace once ran through the hospital naked because "that was just Grace". Louise died in 1972 after being a widow for several years.

Where It Fits: Oscar Leutz is the son of Gustav Leutz & Mary Washa. Myrtle Long, parents unknown, DOB unknown, date of death . . . well, you get the picture. Clara Newton was the daughter of Miles Newton & Lorania Stevens. Bertha Woods, yeah, I know as much about her as I do about Myrtle. Louise Witt is the daughter of Albert Witt & Johanna Kalk.

**UPDATE** Fredrick & Frederica Leutz

UPDATE #2:  John was nice enough to clarify Hartford, Ohio.  Hartford was established April 6, 1835 and on MArch 27, 1863 it changed it's name to Oak Harbor.  To further complicate the matter their post office was known as Ottawa from 1839-1862.

In regards to Jacob Hoover it appears my source is incomplete.  It seems he was active from 1881-1897 at which time he sold his business to George Smith.  Thank you kindly John! 

UPDATE: I found some information regarding their oldest child, at least the oldest one I know of now. Carl Friedrich was born on April 27, 1856 in Hartford, Ottawa County, Ohio. He was baptized July 6th at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Danbury Township, Ottawa County, Ohio and died October 31, 1856 at 6 months, 4 days. It says he was buried in Hartford, Ohio. :-D Who can tell me where Hartford is?


This picture is brought to you by Uncle Bob. It was taken by Jacob Hoover of Oak Harbor, Ohio. If I look him up in 'Ohio Photographers: 1839-1900' it says:

Hoover, Jacob
Oak Harbor, 1881-1882

That would put Johann Fredrick Leutz at 54 or 55 and Louisa Frederica Zink at 55 or 56. Very possible if you ask me.

Timeframe: 1881 & 1882, somewhere in that general area.

Where It Fits: Johann & Louisa are the parents of Carl, Gustav, Charles, Louisa & Clara. They are the grandparents of Oscar, Myrtle, Lorenz, Leon, Berlin, Clara, Edward, Emery, William, Edith, Esther and Fred Leutz & Omah, Homer, William, Ada, Luella, Maud and Clara Bisch.

Albert Henry?!

This adorable little guy is actually labeled, sorta. This is what you see if/when you flip the image over . . .

This appears to me to say "Albert Henry K". The last name is complete but I can't read it all. He is apparently 16 months old. Does anybody recognize little Albert? How about the house behind him?

Timeframe: I really haven't a clue but I am guessing somewhere around the 1910's considering the rest of the pictures in this album.

Where It Fits: Give me the last name and I can tell you when I figure it out. :-)

Julius Johannsen

This is another great picture shared by Richard Budd. This is a picture of Julius Johannsen, taken by photographer Petersen in Niebull.

Timeframe: Julius Johannsen lived in Germany from 1853 to 1871. He returned to Germany in 1883 for a visit and came back to the States with the woman that would become his wife. In 1871 he was 18 years of age. He was 30 when he returned to Germany for the visit. I could be all wet but I believe this man looks closer to 30 than 18. The slight lip at the seam of his coat is a trait seen in the clothing of the 1880's versus the clothing of the 1870's but with the clothing on men it is always hard to date.

Where It Fits: Julius Johannsen is the son of Wilhelm and Marie Christiansen Johannsen. In October of 1884 he married Caroline Japsen and they had nine children, William, Marie, Adele, August, John, Nelson, Lilly, Paul and Lawrence.

In History: Today Julius would be 157 and Florence Golden Hamshire would be 111.

Merle Leutz

This as been identified for me as Merle Leutz.

Timeframe: I haven't a clue. Before 1969 for sure but I can't really narrow it down any more than that. Any suggestions?

Where It Fits: Merle is the daughter of Robert John Fritsche & Caroline Hopfinger. Merle is the mother of Mary Cary, Bob & A.J.

Lyndon or Bessie Roose

This is not only labeled but it is also on a post card. Can't get any better than that. Well, maybe but I'm not picky, I can work with this. I am not sure if this picture is actually of Lyndon Roose or Bessie Roose. I am not even sure who exactly lived across the street from the Roose family. Can any of you guys lend some insight?

Timeframe: The stamp on the back dates this image to 1904 - 1918. The dress has a pouched front; high collar to chin; the sleeves are the same fullness all the way down the arm and there are soft gathers/pleats in the skirt which narrows the time frame to 1904-1907.

Where It Fits: In the 1900 census there is a Roose family living in Oak Harbor, Salem Township, Ottawa County, Ohio. No street name was given. The head of the household is William Roose, age 38. Also living in the household is his wife, Ida (37 years). They had four children and only three were living at the time of the census. The three in their household are Lyndon (6 years), Leota (3 years) & Bessie (2 years). I, therefore, assume this is Lyndon. She would be between 10 & 13 for our time frame whereas Bessie would only be 6 to 9 which I don't find plausible. Sadly, without a map I can't see who exactly lived across the street. It is Oak Harbor after all, we could throw a stone from Lyndon's window and hit 15 relatives. :-)

Sources: http://www.playle.com/realphoto/photoa.php?PHPSESSID=b52ucgul1jl1qopku7d0k9qja0 [Azo stamp with all four triangles pointed up]

Louise Japsen & Justus Christiansen

This picture was identified by Margaret (Japsen) Kuhlman as her Aunt Louise and Uncle Justus. Obviously Louise is the one in the middle, Justus is the man on the right. Now, the million dollar question is who on earth is that man on the left?

Timeframe: Justus died in 1937 so it was obviously taken before June of 1937. The stamp on the back narrows the dates from 1904 to the 1920's. In 1929, Justus would have been 67 and I would assume that to be the latest possible year. I have a picture taken pre-1919 with a dress very similar to the one Louise is wearing so if we say it was taken in 1919 that would make Louise, 58 and Justus, 57.

Where It Fits: Justus Christiansen is the son of Christian Christiansen. On October 18, 1885 he married Louise Japsen, the daughter of Niels Japsen & Maria Lorenzen. They are the parents of Christ (1886-1890), Nicholas, Marie Boger, Christian, Herman & Lillian Floro.

In History: Today Louise would be 149. Shh, you didn't hear this from me but today is also Kym's birthday. I love my life enough to not mention how old she will be turning. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!!

Ottawa County News; Friday, May 10, 1872

While I was doing some research on the Hopfinger family I was reading a newspaper from Ottawa County dated May 10th, 1872. There was a long column on "helography" ending with:

...photographs can be had of R. H. Bliven, Elmore, at the following prices, to wit:
First-class Card Photographs, per doz, $3.00
6 ...................................................................1.50
A specialty of large photographs and card pictures of babies.
Negatives retouched and satisfaction guaranteed. Framers of all kinds on hand or procured to order.

Do you remember the picture I posted of Hezelton Rudes? You know the one. This one. At the time I believed the image to be taken in 1874 or so. Since his ad in the newspaper is for the Elmore studio and it isn't mentioned that the studio is new, I assume it was there for at least a little while before May, 1872. Also, according to the back of the image the cost per dozen was only $2.50, not the $3.00 mentioned in the newspaper. Since prices rarely go down I assume that dates the image to even earlier. Although the clothing does still date to the 1880's so in this case more information on the photographer doesn't help but I will have to remember this for future reference. Maybe next time I am searching for something unrelated I will find an announcement for the studio moving. I wonder if I look for information on Bliven's Studio if I will manage to dig up the information on the Hopfingers I wanted. :-)

Viola Short

I found this image in an envelope addressed to "Mrs. Merle Leutz, R. R. Oak Harbor, Ohio". There is a 4 cent stamp and a post mark from Genoa, Ohio, 11 a.m. on December 14, 1963. There is no return address so who sent this envelope of photographs is beyond me. On the back it says "Viola Short" and this is the only image in the envelope that has been completely identified/labeled.

Timeframe: Viola was born in 1894 (and would be 116 this month). She looks to be about 16 or so in this image so I am guessing about 1910.

Where It Fits: Merle Fritsche is the wife of Leon Leutz and mother of Mary Cary Rudes, Robert & A.J. Leutz.

Viola Short is the daughter of Chalion Short & Mary DeWitz. Her youngest brother, Alvin, is my step great-grandfather. He was the second husband of Velma Taylor-Johannsen.

Who's That Lady? -- Part II

This image comes from a small album I found. No images were labeled in this album and while I found a cover for an album of the same size with the name of the owner in it, I can't be 100% sure it belongs to this album. I mentioned this album before and posted another picture from this album. Let's work with the evidence in the image first.

Due to the condition of the image there are only really a couple details you can pick out. If you look closely you will see her sleeves are about 3/4 length with a trim effect on the bottom making them almost full length, her bodice extends below the waist, she has a high stand collar, is wearing jewelry (at least a ring) and has her hair pulled back in a bun. That narrows the clothing to the 1880's. If I could see the skirt in more detail I would be able to narrow it further but sadly this one is in pretty sorry shape.

Now, this might look like a slight flash back to last weeks mystery Monday and I believe this image was also made by Wm. Newton since they have the same background & the same table that is commonly used by Wm. Newton. She is also posed in the stereotypical pose of Mr. Newton i.e. the book on the table, hand on the book. That also gives us a location, Mr. Newton was a photographer in Port Clinton, Ohio between 1885 & 1889. Sadly, that would imply that the cover of the album I found doesn't belong to this album because the album is dated as June 10th, 1881 so I can't really narrow anything down any further. If the cover matched I could at least narrow it down to family but that isn't the case now. I might have to do some more investigating of Mr. Newton and see if it is possible he was operating before 1885.

Timeframe: Most likely between 1885 & 1889.

Where It Fits: You tell me.