Thursday, January 31, 2013

A February story

February 7, 1919

Two high-spirited Minster boys named Gerwells and Schemmel got themselves in trouble in Ft. Loramie.  Mr. Gerwells made an insulting remark to Pvt. Arthur Kiefer in the presence of ladies and was asked to apologize.  When he refused Pvt. Kiefer knocked him out.  Later, Gerwells and Schemmel threw a pop bottle through the window of Brucken's Pool Room.  They were arrested and taken to jail where they set fire to the bed clothes.  The next day they were taken before Mayor Quinlin who fined them each $5 and sentenced Mr. Gerwells to 10 days in jail.

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Flood photo

Picture taken during the flood in March 1913. Do you know where this is?

January newsletter

The Christmas dinners were a big success and we are gradually taking down the decorations. We are planning to go in most Monday mornings so if anyone would like to help, stop in when you see the white pickup truck in front or the lights on. There's no hurry to undecorate but you can visit or do research. I should warn you that the water has been turned off for the winter so the pipes don't freeze.

We get a lot of people coming to town and hoping to visit the museum. Unfortunately right now we can't have someone there all the time. But if you know you are coming to town you can contact us ahead of time. There are phone numbers on the door. There is almost always someone willing to come and open up for you.

So far we have sold 365 copies of Ft. Loramie, Main St. and Beyond out of the 500 that were printed. We have sold enough to more than make up for the cost of printing. For those who bought the history book there's a correction on page 201. The picture that is labeled Dirksen School is actually an old farmhouse. Books are still available at the Silver Cross in Ft. Loramie or from Jean Rosengarten at 937-295-3998.

I know we seem to be obsessed with Germans here but we are also interested in French and Irish or any other ancestry. If you have any photos to lend or donate get in touch with one of the officers. We will copy and return.

We appreciate all the help and donations we have received lately. If you wish to volunteer or become a member the dues are $10 and you can become involved as much or as little as you wish. As a member you don't have to do anything at all if you don't want to and you don't have to be a member to help.

There are tabs at the top of the blog now that you can click to find more information about us. Scroll down for more things that might have been added since the last time you looked.

Friday, January 18, 2013

Boerger photos

Christopher Boerger, born 10 August 1811, died 17 January 1876 in Ft. Loramie. Married 6 August 1839 in Cincinnati.
Maria Gertrud Meyer Boerger, born 29 March 1816, Nellinghof, Neuenkirchen, Oldenburg. Died 8 Nov. 1890 Ft. Loramie.

Sunday, January 6, 2013

January updates

Dustin Bornhorst of Indianapolis contacted us about family tree research.

We are still looking for farms that have been in the family for 100 years. Also farms that were in the family for 100 years before they were sold. Sad that so many are going out of the family right now.

We also would like stories or photos about the 1913 flood and about prohibition. I know no one wants to turn in their family members but it was a really long time ago and nobody here supported prohibition. It was a dumb law. You don't have to tell names.