June-July 2004 Edition

• Letter from the President
• Visit these exhibits at the Wapakoneta Museum
• Renew or Join The Auglaize County Historical Society
• Daily events during Fair Week 2004
• Program Schedule for 2004
• Adult Charter Members 1963-64
• Student Charter Members 1963-64
• The Fourth Grade Classmaters of Neil Armstrong
• Neil Armstrong -- Roundtable Discussion
• Bottom of Page

click the dividers to return to the Contents

Letter from our President to our Members:

It is a beautiful, warm summer day as I put together this letter to you. The Board has been letting no grass grow under their feet as the planning and work continues.

The Mooney site is undergoing new landscaping so you will want to stop by and check this out. Thanks to trustee, Todd Spieles for his work with county landscapers.

Village Green submitted the plan that the Board liked the best. Dale Altstaetter and Jim McCullough helped transplant a large number of bulbs to both Shinbone and the Gary Cabin from the Mooney Museum. Next spring we should see a lot more colorful blooms around these two sites.

Thanks to Jim Heinrich for taking on the mowing of the yard. The yard at the Mooney site is not in the best condition and we have voted to make parking for approximately six cars east of the garage.

Todd will be taking down a pine tree and we will be stoning that area for the present time. Volunteers working the site will be able to park by the garage and leave the street in fromt of the house free for visitor parking.

Jim and Dale have reworked the gatehouse at the fairgrounds by lining the inside which will allow us to hang and display tools etc. during fair week. They have also been hanging storm windows at the Wapakoneta site and remaking some at the Shinbone site. These two work very hard maintaining our sites, as you see them about pass on your thanks to them.

We have the porch to paint at the Mooney home and some inside ceilings need some touch up, but just like your homes it seems to never end. They require constant maintenance work.

Please remember to attend the Summer Moon Festival in Wapakoneta on July 17th and 18th. The Wapakoneta Museum will be open on Saturday and Sunday from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. both days. We have some great new exhibits for you to see and the Oscar will be back. You'll find more information on this as you read through your newsletter.

The Mooney Museum will be open during the St. Marys Summerfest, August 14th & 15th, from 1 P.M. to 4 P.M. both daysther. Be sure and see our new landscaping and displays there.

Fair Week is August 2nd through 7th with different events every day at the Gary Log Cabin. All of the Societies within the county have worked very hard to put together the daily happenings occuring at the cabin. Elsewhere in this newsletter you can read about the events.

We hope you will take this time to visit with your children/grandchildren and let Auglaize County History come alive.

Sincere "Thanks" to Bill Huber, Ruth Eshleman, Betty Bubp, Katy Gilbert for an outstanding job of putting together the Veteran's Memorial Dedication event at the St. Marys Theatre on May 29th.

Thanks to Kal Schanz and Tim Townsend for the use of the theatre and working with TSC for the satellite hook up. Without them the event would not have been possible. Kal sings under the stage name of Kalvin Wayne, and sang a beautiful song entitled "In America."

Kal was talking about the event with a friend of his, singer/songwriter Monty Holmes who decided he wanted to come to be a part of the event and brought the house down with his version of the "Boys of 44."

Our thanks to Katy Gilbert and Glenna Meckstroth for coming and having their books on veterans available so those attending could purchase them.

Philip Merritt treated all to his tremendous collection of military artifacts which was set up in the lobby. it was a great event, a long time in coming, to a special group of military people who gve their heart and soul to preserve this country and our freedom. Thank your veterans every time you see them!

As you can see it is through the efforts of many people sharing their talents that we are able to do the programs, remodeling etc. that forms the working of the Auglaize County Historical Society. It is the sharing, caring, preserving qualities of the American people that has made and continues to make this the greatest country in the world, Ohio the greatest State and Auglaize County the greatest county. Have a great summer, enjoy history!

Sincerely,

Board Members of the Auglaize County Historical Society Karen Dietz, President; George Neargarder, V.P.; Jim Heinrich, Treasurer; Julie McCullough, Secretary. Trustees: Ruth Eshleman, Betty Bubp, Katy Gilbert, Todd Spieles, Dale Altstaetter, Irene Kepler, Bill Huber and Jim McCullough.

Visit these exhibits at the Wapakoneta Museum

• July 17th and 18th, the Wapakoneta Local History Museum will be again hosting the Dudley Nichols Oscar. The Oscar will be at the Museum for just two days. Dudley Nichols won this Oscar for his adaptation of the film, "The Informer" and is just as well remembered for "Stagecoach" which launched John Wayne's acting career. Dudley was nominated for three more films: "The Long Voyage Home" in 1940, "Air Force" in 1943, "The Tin Star" in 1957.

  Dudley's home was located on the corner from the Museum; stop by and see the Bicentenniel marker put up last July 20th, 2003.

• On exhibit, during the Summer Moon Festival, at the Wapakoneta Museum will be Don L. Steinke's collection of Wapakoneta Irons, Indian Head Skillets and a Honey Extractor made by the Standard Churn Company in Wapakoneta.

  He also will have on exhibit his restored Model T Truck. Don is celebrating 40 years of working with bees. He is offering tours of his honey extracting operations at 10518 Ashburn Rd. in Clay Township beginning July 20th through August 31st. You can schedule a tour by calling [phone number] or talk with him at the Wapakoneta Museum exhibit.

• Vernon Myers will be exhibiting a toy pedal car in the Wapakoneta Museum during the festival. The car was made 99 years ago in Toledo, Ohio. It originally was purchased by a family in Wapakoneta and passed down through the family until just recently purchased by Vernie. You will remember that Vernie is our local historian on Turner Toys, having written the "Collector's Handbook of Turner Toys" in 2002.

We encourage you to visit the Wapakoneta Museum for these special exhibits. We thank the Nichols family, Don and Vernie for so graciously sharing with us and the community.

Renew or Join The Auglaize County
Historical Society

• Adult Member $15.00
• Family Member $25.00
• Student Member $5.00
• 62 or older Sr. Adult Member $12.00
• 62 or older Sr. Family Member $20.00
• Life Member $250.00

Make check payable to:   Auglaize County Historical Society
Mail to:   Anna Mae Saum, 131 Bayshore Court, St. Marys, Ohio 45885

"We are Saving History Now for Future Generations."

Visit The Gary Log House at the Auglaize County Fair August 2 to 7

Daily events during Fair Week 2004

• Monday -- Aug. 2nd: New Knoxville Society. Introducing blacksmithing and the major role it played in early Auglaize County life, with Scott Murray demonstrating his blacksmithing equipment throughout the day and early evening, as well as the rest of the week near the log smoke house.
• Tuesday -- Aug. 3rd: Cridersville Society. Early American Music and musical instruments with Paula Schumm, Bob Dicus and others. Demonstrations and displays - Come enjoy the sounds!
• Wednesday -- Aug. 4th: New Bremen Society. Displays and information on Lock 1.
• Thursday -- Aug. 5th: Auglaize County Society. Indian Storyteller, Katie Searfoss; Quill worker, Deborah Foster; display of Indian Artifacts, Pelts, etc.
• Friday -- Aug. 6th: Minster Society. Boeke Book information and displays.
• Saturday -- Aug. 7th: Uniopolis Society. To be announced.

Set up during the whole week of the fair will be Gary Bradford with his display of pulleys and farm-related tools, in a self contained trailer that will be located by the Gary Log House.

Program Schedule for 2004

September 2nd, 7 P.M. at Midwest Electric. Eric Honneffer, Document Conservator at the Center for Archival Collections, Bowling Green State University. We encourage you to locate your old documents, pictures, and bring them with you. Look forward to an interesting and educational evening.

November 4th come spend an evening with music and readings about Civil War soldier Charles Kruse. Given by Dr. Todd Spieles in the candle light setting of Shinbone Church.

Adult Charter Members 1963-64

40 years ago in 1963 a group of citizens met in the McBroom School Cafeteria in St. Marys, Ohio with the determination to organize the Auglaize County Historical Society. They started a membership drive to raise funds. The following is a list of the charter members and students that was found in the papers donated from the Geiger Estate. The names and addresses were written by K.C. Geiger, the first secretary of the Society.

We recognized these people in this newsletter, many are now deceased but it was only through their efforts that the Historical Society was started 40 years ago.

Notice: Life members are listed in Bold Type.

Adams, Charles & Rhea Anderson, Ben Anspaugh, Joh Armstrong, Miss Ethel Arnold, Chuck Axe, Patrick	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Baker, Helen Bettelini, Mrs. Carrie Bittegar, Mrs. Edrie Blair, Herb M. Boltz, Miss Lillian Botkin, Harold & Patsy Brewer, Miss Lois Brorein, Bernard Bubp, Mrs. Henry Buchanon, Steve & Mary Burgess, Mrs. Sherman	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Carmean, Mrs. Francis Cattarin, Joseph & Sarabel Caywood, Mrs. Carl Compton, Vernabel Comus, Louis Conner, Miss Katherine Cook, Harold K. Cook, Mrs. R. Cummings, Gordon	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio
Dennings, Frank Dennis, Berniece Duncan, Naomi	St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Ellis, Sam & Eleanor Engel, Don Engel, Mrs. Lois Essman, H.J. Etter, Gordon Eversman, Adrian & Kay Eversman, Mrs. Ed Eversman, Roger	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio
Fett, Jennie Finfrock, William Finke, Clifford Fisher, Darrel Fleagle, Noreen Frey, Miss Mildred	Wapakoneta, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Geiger, Miss Edith Geiger, Miss Gertrude Geiger, Miss Marguerite Geiger, Kathryn (K.C.) Gidding, Dr. & Mrs. Glass, William Glass, Roger Glass, Mrs. Alvin Goodyear Service Store Grauer, Miss Clara Grewe, Mrs. Fred A. Grunden, Miss Ailene Goodsmith, Miss Sue Gunderman, Jack	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Sandusky, Ohio Cincinnati, Ohio
Haberkamp, Gust Hager, Miss Alice Hall, Robert Hanning, Ray & Flora Harris, Mrs. Cliff Hartman, Mrs. Mary Hays, Mrs. Helen Helmstetter, Fred A. Henschen, Elmer Hierholzer, Mrs. Tom Hoagland, V.C. Hoagland, R.S. Hobler, Mrs. Richard Holtkamp, Caroline Horton, Walter C. Huber, Miss Esther Hunter, Robert Huwer, Charles & Dorothy	New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Madison, Wisconsin St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Jordan, Mrs. Robert Jurossic, Betty Jo Katterheinrich, N.F. Keller, John H. Kellermeyer, Larry Kolpin, Miss Marie Kishler, W.J. Kohler, Mrs. Albert Kuck, Fred Kuck, Mrs. Erma Kuffner, John Ingledue, Robert J.	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio Lima, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio
Landis, Mrs. Mary V. Lawler, Doris Lawler, Ned Leader Printing Company Lear, William Long, C. Richard Long, Mrs. Charles Lowe, Mrs. George	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Mackenbach, Dr. Charles & Mrs. Mackenbach, Paul & Mrs. Martindale, Mrs. Linda Marx, Emil F. Menges, Pauline McCraw, Flora Miley, Miss Melva Miley, Miss Sadie Miller, John H. Miller, Mrs. Levi Miller, Tom N. Millisor, Mrs. Louetta Montague, Eldon Moots, Terry & Dixie McClintock, Virgil McClintock, Mary McQuillin, John	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio
Neargarder, Clarence B. Neargarder, George Neely, Dick Newell, Mrs. Anna New Knoxville Phone Company Noble, Edward Noble, John Noble, Willard D.	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Santa Cruz, New Mexico New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Columbus, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Parker, Robert Patterson, Miss Lola Peffley, Mrs. Charles Place, Mrs. George Post, Miss Alice Protsman, John Ransey, Miss Verda Rouhier, Jack & Jo	St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Metamora, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Schaaf, David & Gayle Schallenberg, Mrs. Clyde Schamp, Kenneth Schierholt, William Schmidt, Mrs. Raymond Schroeder, Mrs. Harry F. Schrolucke, Kenneth & Emma Jean Scott, James & Lois Sheaks, Robert Springer, Lois Sittler, Louis Stahlman, Mardana Steve, Emil H. Stoker, Mrs. Mireille Stork, Emma Sullivan, Edward Sullivan, James Sullivan, Orlando & Ruby Sutton, Joe Sweigart, Janelle	St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Wapakoneta, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Thatcher, Carl Thieman, William G. Thieman, Mrs. Araminta Thiessen, Prof. Edgar This, Eugene Trahan, Ronald & Judith Ann Tschantz, Julia	St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio Plymouth, Wisconsin New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio
Uetrecht, William & Pearl Vornholt, Mrs. Mary E. Warner, Mrs. Jean Weadock, Ellen Wellman, Dr. Henry G. Whetstone, Maurice & Jacqueline Wilges, Robert & Dorothy Wisener, Fred	St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New York, New York St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio

Student Charter Members 1963-64

Apple, Richard Armstrong, Alan Axe, Michael Axe, Steven Botkin, Chris & Mike Bruns, Dan Burden, Bruce Burden, Robert Casad, Tom Dill, Ralph Dennis, David Dammeyer, Karen Dammeyer, Christine Dennings, Marcia Durkee, Larry Fleagle, Lynn Glass, Randi Hinkle, Paul Douglas Huwer, Craig & Julia Hale, Billy Hartleib, Diana Howell, Robin Kuck, Dave Lawler, Ned Jr. Lowe, Dave Mackenbach, Mary, Joan & John Mackenbach, Jim & Steve Makley, Mary Maze, Lisa McIntosh, Judy McElroy, Kathleen Noble, Kraig & Susan Protsman, Wesley Powell, Mark Rinehart, John Rodeheffer, Cindy & Clay Schaaf, David & Larry Schipper, Kathy Schmidt, Dale Schumann, Randall Schwabero, David, Jane & Mark Scott, George Stienecker, Carol Struna, Skip Springer, John Stienecker, Sandra Thompson, Gary Warner, Mary Jane Wendt, Becky Wilges, Gary Wollman, Kay & John

St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Bremen, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Chicago, Illinois New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio Lima, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio St. Marys, Ohio New Knoxville, Ohio

40th Anniversary of Auglaize County Historical Society

The Fourth Grade Classmaters of Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong, first row on the left, was in the 4th grade at the East School in St. Marys, Ohio, in this 1938 photo. His family moved to St. Marys when he was in second grade. His teacher, Mrs. Dorothy Adams, thought he was too advanced for the 2nd grade and he was moved to the 3rd grade at the half year. He finished that year and 4th and 5th grades in East School.

The boys in the above photo L-R: 1st Row: Neil Armstrong, Billy Mann, Lawrence Bockrath, Rolla Werts, ?, Wilferd Dicke and Jack Irish. 2nd row: James Worthington, ?, Jack Schnelle, Paul Woods, Tom Burger and Jim Needles. 3rd Row: Robert Daughtery, Cecil Thwaits, Bill McPheron, Don Schallenberger, Bill Steinecker, Dallas Hammond, Willard Dunlap, George Chiles and Herman Alspach.

The girls in Neil's class were: 1st Row: Patricia Steen, Ruby Howell, Laura Lee Young, June Whited and Betty Cramer. 2nd Row: Onnalee Longsworth, Phyllis Coffman, Natalie Miller, Jean Smith, Delores McCollum and Anna Burd. 3rd Row: Pearl Sawmiller, Bertha Price, Marjorie Van Dyke, Lucille Cipmore, Betty Byrne and Patty Otto. Their fourth grade teacher was Miss Laura Oelrich.

The above data is from Hal Miller's collection - Sept. 5, 1969, The Evening Leader newspaper.

Neil Armstrong -- Roundtable Discussion
About the Boy, The Man, The Astronaut, The Influencer

Vern Doenges, Alma Kuffner, Dick Schwer and John Zwez will lead off our round table discussion of Neil Armstrong.

We encourage you to come and bring your stories about Neil.

Where were you when he stepped on the moon?

WHEN: July 15 at 7 p.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Wapakoneta (near Library) use side door.