August News from "3" years

1873 and 1883 news from the Highland Weekly News, published in Hillsboro, Ohio 1853-1886; 1893 and 1913 news from the Hillsboro News-Herald; 1943, 1963 news from Hillsboro's Press Gazette. Other sources as listed below.

1873 Aug. 21 - Officers of the newly formed Union Grange, No. 77, New Vienna are as follows:
Master – Christopher LEWIS; Overseer – Wm. H. BURNETT;  Lecturer – Wm. WEST;  Asst. Steward – Josiah POLK;  Chaplain – James HUSSEY;  Treasurer – Amos J. HIATT;  Secretary – Jonathan LEEKA;  Gate-keeper – G.B. MILLER;  Ceres – Miss F.B. WEST;  Pomona – Miss Lydia THORNBURG;  Flora – Miss Eunice HUSSEY;  L.A. Steward – Miss Victoria HIATT.

1873 Aug. 28 - Elder Wm. D. MOORE of New Vienna, will preach in the Hillsboro Baptist Church on Saturday and Sunday, 30th and 31st of August.

1883 Aug. 1 - Taylor EVANS has bought property on East Main street in Leesburg where he intends to build a mansion with brick supplied by a New Vienna firm.

1883 Aug. 1 - James MORROW is moving to New Vienna after living on the Adolphus WOODMANSEE farm south of New Lexington [Highland] for five years.

1883 Aug. 15 - Rev. Joseph WRIGHT of New Vienna will preach on Sunday the 19th at Hardin's Creek meeting house near Leesburg.

1893 Aug. 22 - James COLLIGAN of New Vienna and 59 other members of the Cincinnati Weekly Enquirer Household Club will ride on a special car of the C.H.&D. and Monon [CH&D = Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, Monon was route to Indianapolis and on to Chicago] Railroad to Chicago.  The Club is composed of contributors to The Weekly Enquirer.  --The The Cincinnati Enquirer  Aug 22, 1893 p.3.

1893 Aug. 10 - Will and Frank TRIMBLE of Hillsboro and Pat JONES of Wilmington were implicated in a recent shooting and attended the trial at New Vienna which started last week.  Will and Pat were fined $8.40 each and Frank was released.

1893 Aug. 10 - "Pet" McCLURE, of Highland, boarded a freight train in New Vienna for a ride home but fell asleep and on waking found himself fifty three miles from home.

1893 Aug. 17 - Claibourne BURNETT's barn near New Vienna, was destroyed by fire.

1903 Aug. 21 - The Clinton County Democratic Convention met August 20 and was presided over by Dr. R.T. TRIMBLE of New Vienna.  They indorsed [sic] the candidacy of Tom L. Johnson [former mayor of Cleveland, lost to George Nash] for Governor, and Bookwalter for US Senator.  The Clinton County ticket is as follows: Representative, H.W. Smith; Treasurer, Dr. Lambright; Commissioner, T.D. Edwards; Infirmary Director J.H. Shrack, and Coroner, Dr. W.E. Srofe.  The convention was well attended, considering the fact that Clinton is a Republican county.  A candidate from New Vienna, ZIMMERMAN, was well supported by a group of 17 from New Vienna, would probably have been the choice if his advocates had not lacked organization.   --The The Cincinnati Enquirer  Aug 21, 1903 p.3.

1913 Aug. 7 - A Farmers Picnic will be held Tuesday at Frank CLARK's Grove, near New Vienna.  Everybody bring their dinner and enjoy the day.

1923 Aug. 22 - George PUCKETT, 40, of New Vienna, is employed as the new superintendent of Stockdale Ohio schools.  He was formerly employed as a high school director and a professor at Wilmington College [but did not graduate from NVHS].   --Portsmouth Daily Times Aug 22, 1923 p.3.

1933 Aug. 24 - Eighteen churches of this region [Wilmington] will send delegates to the 88th annual meeting of the Clinton Baptist association at New Vienna.  --Sandusky Register Aug 24, 1933 p.10.

1933 Aug. 29 - Ohio State Fair report -- New Vienna, Clinton county, took first in its FFA exhibition with its exhibit of farming ability.   --The Times Recorder (Zanesville) Aug 29, 1933 p.1.

1943 Aug. 5 - Former Pastor Dies – The Rev. Edgar B. BUFFINGTON, 80, former pastor of the New Vienna Christian Church.  He also held pastorates in Elyria (1911); and later at Wilmington, New Vienna, Willoughby and Crawford Road Christian Church in Cleveland.  --The Piqua Daily Call, Aug 5, 1943 p.1.

1943 Aug. 6 - Former New Vienna resident Elmer R. MOON [1903-1979], Supt. of Schools at Higginsport, Ohio for the past five years, has been appointed as a deputy collector to the Zanesville Internal Revenue office.   --The Times Recorder (Zanesville) Aug 6, 1943 p.2.

1943 Aug. 13 - Mr. and Mrs. Heber RUNK and son, of New Vienna, visited with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert LEAVERTON Sunday [in Leesburg].

1943 Aug. 13 - Penn-Fairfield Advisory Council, Chairman Meredith MICHAEL met at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey FLEMING of the New Vienna neighborhood last week.  A special meeting of the council will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. COOK near Careytown on Aug. 17.  The Union Twp. Council will be guests.  Attending were Mr. and Ms. Jas. WOLFE, Mr. and Mrs. Emery RHOADS, E.L. BRITTON and Misses Goldie TOMLIN, Betty and Janet HAMILTON and Mr. WATSON.

1943 Aug. 27 - Mr. and Mrs. Marshall BAYLESS, of New Vienna, visited Monday with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julius TISSOT [in Mowrystown].

1963 Aug. 2 - Mary R. [RENO] WEST of Rt. 1, New Vienna, has been appointed Administratrix of the Estate of her late husband, Earl G. WEST [1902-1963].

1963 Aug. 23 - Death of Alvin "Buck" ACHOR, 77, reported.  He was born Nov. 26, 1885 in Martinsville, the son of Charles [Clement] ACHOR and Elva HAWORTH ACHOR HILDEBRANT [they divorced in 1890, she then married Arrista HILDEBRANT].  Buck married Jan. 21, 1949 to Hanna BOOMERSHINE ACHOR.  He was a fireman for the B&O RR until World War II, and was a farmer and operated a stone quarry on his farm near New Vienna.

1963 Aug 23 - Death of George W. SMITH, 79, on August 18, 1963.  He was born July 9, 1884 near Xenia, son of Charles and Susan COTTRELL SMITH and was married Feb. 28, 1912 to Julia HESS.  He was a member of the New Vienna Church of Christ.  For five years he had been caretaker at the Snow Hill Roadside Park.

1963 Aug 27 - Death of Loren DAVIS on Aug. 22, 1963, who came to Farmers [Station] in 1950 from the Wilmington area.  He was born July 2, 1896, son of John and Ella McKIBBEN DAVIS.  He was married Oct. 27, 1914 to Ruby MOON [DAVIS WIGET].  Among his survivors was his daughter, Treva DAVIS FISHER of New Vienna.

1963 Aug. 27 - Death of Verne SIMKINS [NVHS 1904] on Aug. 23, 1963 at age 78.  Verne was born March 30, 1885. son of John Huston and Mary Helena DAVIS SIMKINS.  He attended two years of college, graduating from Lebanon Teacher's College.  On Nov. 6, 1910 he married Audrey Maude OUSLEY.  He was a lifetime government employee, and was a member of President Theodore Roosevelt's staff.  Among his survivors was a brother C.R. of Lynchburg and his sister-in-law, Marie DECK SIMKINS.

1972 Scouts at Air Force Academy; and Wayne Ames - Aug. 4

Another clipping and a picture of this scout trip can be found at  http://nvhsmemories.blogspot.com/2012/12/1972-philmont-scout-ranch.html.  Appreciate the WNJ putting two New Vienna related articles in the same space.  Transcription of these two articles from the Wilmington, O., News-Journal, August 4, 1972, follow.  

NV Scouts visit Philmont Scout Ranch and Air Force Academy – July-August, 1972
Clipping from Wilmington (Ohio) News-Journal - Aug. 4, 1972

Local Scouts Visit Air Force Academy 
As reported by ROBERT SMITH

While returning from an expedition from the National Scout Ranch at Philmont, New Mexico,  Tecumseh Council Scouts traveled north to Colorado Springs, Col., for an overnight stop at Fort Carson.  Monday afternoon the eight Scouts and two advisors visited the United State Air Force Academy.

The tour covered major points of interest such as the Fieldhouse Chapel, and Visitor Information Center.  Cadets were observed in drill as well as off duty.

The crew continued home Tuesday, spending the night in eastern Missouri.  Wednesday the two-car caravan stopped at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati to visit John Uible, one of our number unable to attend the trek since he was stricken with typhoid fever.

The expedition returned to New Vienna Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 2, at 4:30.

Pictured above standing (left to right) Jim Bernard, Kevin Croghan, Dale Hertlein, Brian Smith, Mark Young, Jim Mongold; seated (left to right) Bennie Mathews, Ranger Lynn Davidson, Advisor Gene Williams, Crew Leader and Reporter Robert N. Smith, and Advisor Harold Uible.

* * * * * * * * * *

Wayne Ames To Play In All Ohio Band

Wayne Ames, son of Mrs. Jean Ames, New Vienna, has been chosen to play in All-Ohio Boys' Band at the Ohio State Fair Aug. 24 to Sept. 3.  He will play the sousaphone (tuba).

Ames attended AOB band camp in June at Rhodes Center at the state fairground.  Director is Omar Blackman of Cleveland.

Ames will be a junior this fall at East Clinton High School.

In the eighth grade he received a superior rating playing tuba solo in the district contest.  He has been a member of the E-C marching, concert, and stage band for two years and four years grade school band.

Other activities by Wayne include State FFA band two years, 4-H five years, FFA two years.  He won second place in Junior division "Enquirer Boy of the Year" in 1970.  Member of New Vienna United Methodist Church and Union Grange No. 77.

Josephine Williams

New Vienna resident Josephine Miller Williams is featured in this 1990 article written by New Vienna native, Daniel Nixon for the Wilmington (Ohio) News-Journal as part of a series titled Clinton Corner: A weekly visit with the people of Clinton County.

Josephine (1910-2007, NVHS'28), daughter of Ennis Miller (1885-1966) and Nellie Elliott Swartz Miller (1886-1967) was born in/near New Vienna in 1910.  She married Homer Keith Williams in 1932.  Homer (1904-1993, NVHS'23), also born in New Vienna was the son of Charles Wyatt Williams (1856-1926) and Sarah Alice Keith Williams (1867-1929).  They were the parents of twins, Mary Jo (Weitz) and Martha (Knauff) 1958 graduates of NVHS.

Transcription follows.

1990 Josephine Williams clipping from Wilmington (Ohio) News-Journal - Dec. 3.  
Headlined: Williams addicted to genealogy.  Picture captioned: 'Genealogy Jo' at historical society

1990 Josephine Williams clipping from Wilmington (Ohio) News-Journal - Dec. 3, page 2

Williams addicted to genealogy

by DANIEL NIXON Staff Writer

Clinton Corner: A weekly visit with the people of Clinton County

There are 82 cemeteries in the county and Homer K. and Josephine Williams of 92 S. Third St. New Vienna, know each of them – intimately.

If you have perhaps noticed small green and white signs naming those family cemeteries off the roads and backroads of Clinton County, a large part of the credit goes to the husband and wife team researchers.

"Homer had to finish the work.  I got such a bad case of chiggers I couldn't go out anymore," says Josephine.

"We thought it was important that these places be recorded and not forgotten," says "Jo," or as her friends at the Clinton County Historical Society call her, "Genealogy Jo."

On file at Rombach Place is the Williams' cemetery research, who is buried, birth dates and deaths.  But it didn't stop there for the Williams.  As Jo says, "You just can't put down who died without starting to find out who they were related to and where and when."

Historical society Director Rhonda Curtis says, "We have many excellent volunteers, but none more so than Genealogy Jo.  She's kind of special."

It was the cemetery research that led to an interest in genealogy, a subsequent passion for more information and the cavalier moniker of "Genealogy Jo."

Once a person develops a reputation as a genealogist, letters for information seem to find the proper destination like letters to Santa Claus simply addressed "North Pole."

Sometimes letters would come directly to the Historical Society requesting information.  Sometimes they would take a more circuitous route to the office of county recorder, probate, common pleas or simply a post office.  Eventually they became the responsibility of the Williams', not without some irony.

There is a nominal charge for having the research done, says Jo.  Some people would try to avoid the historical society and send a second letter to the courthouse.  "Well, the people in those offices don't have the time to look for that information so they give it to us.  It was funny, because sometimes you would see a letter already written to you the first time," says Jo.  It's like being a detective, taking pieces of a family puzzle scattered across the years and combining the parts to make a whole.

She doesn't drink, but when it was suggested that genealogy was perhaps akin to the mounting obsession one has searching for berries in the woods, she shook off the analogy as too mild.

"It's more like drinking," says Jo flatly.  "You take one drink and then another and another and you can't stop."

Today the Williams' have turned much of their research and letter-answering duties over to another addicted genealogist, innocently hooked when trying to help his son with a school report on family history.

Genealogy Jo began genealogy because she says she can't sit still and read.  "We both go to the library regularly and Homer, he can sit and read for hours.  But me, I've got to be doing something."

For a woman who claims not to be one to sit still, she compiled three looseleaf notebooks at the library of biographical tidbits gleaned from microfilm copies of early county newspapers such as the "Clinton Republican" or the "Wilmington Democrat and Herald."  Those notebooks are also on file at the historical society's growing archives of local information. (1)

She went issue by issue, year by year and jotted down any reference to anyone in the paper: their birth, their death, marriage. business announcements or tangles with the law.

"People think they're going to read the microfilm and find exactly what they're looking for," says Jo.  The reality is more time consuming.

An obituary, the most common looked-for information, is easily overlooked, assuming it was printed in the first place.  "Death or births could be anywhere in the paper, just a paragraph stuck somewhere," says Jo.

"People are surprised to see how much national news is in the local paper then, and a lot of ads, on the front page, too.  If the president made a speech, it was printed word-for-word.  If the governor gave a speech – same thing.

"Well, of course, that was the only way people had of knowing such things then.  There just wasn't very much local news."

On the other hand, those early newspaper editors, and presumably their readers, were much more enthralled by shocking local tragedies.  Suicides, when they occured [sic], were reported as such.

"Oh, yes," says Jo, "the gorier it was, the more they wrote it up, I remember one story of a woman who abandoned her baby in the snow.  It was all described in the newspaper, where the baby was found, who she was.  It just went on and on."

From newspaper research at the library, Genealogy Jo began work at the historical society.

When she began, there was one filing cabinet containing newspaper clippings, genealogy sheets and anything else of reference about Clinton County families alphabetized according to surnames.

At about the same time, valuable old newspapers – a genealogist's working capital – were about to be discarded from the courthouse.  "They had no place to store them." says Jo.

She accepted the task of sorting through each paper, clipping articles and adding to the family history file at the historical society.

"When the folks here at the Society asked me how many envelopes I thought I'd need, I said a couple of thousand," and she tilted back her head to laugh, "It took more than that and Homer thought I had lost my mind."

Perhaps he was thinking there was truth to a sign on a shelf in the historical society's genealogy room:  "Genealogists never die; they just lose their census."

It took Jo a year and three months to sort through each paper, clipping articles and filing them.  But in a sense, the work is never done.

Each evening, she clips fresh information from the local papers to add to the five filing cabinets of more than 5,000 county family histories.  "There's a lot of people who don't know how much material we have got her," says Jo.

When Genealogy Jo set out on the trail of her own family, the Miller's, the research was relatively easy – up to a point.

"My great-grandparents came in here early and stayed here," says Jo.  That made it simple.  No hunting across the countryside.

She then traced them back to 1790 only to find two full pages of census listings for D. Miller, the Miller progenitor.  But which one was her D. Miller?  "I gave up," she says with a laugh.

Although Jo and her husband have eased out of the heavy research and letter writing duties they had done, she remains one of a group of volunteers at the historical society who staff the genealogy department always ready like technicians at a hospital emergency room.

"Sometime we can sit here for three weeks and nobody comes.  Other times, everybody comes at once," says Jo.

Those who visit the Historical Society's archives are asked by the genealogy staffers to register and leave a message of which family they are searching – a sort of genealogy of genealogists.  "That way, if somebody comes in hunting for the same people, they've got an address they can write," says Jo.

It is a cheerful room that old General Denver left to house the histories of county families.  The sun streams in the windows lighting up the titles on the spines of volumes of county history, national census material, mortality records, Quaker records and books by Clinton County authors.

The sunlight seems to reach back across the years as Jo studies photographs, names family relationship and punctuates her comments with "I remember when."

"I must quit saying that – and quit humming old songs."

Appropriately, Genealogy Jo celebrated her 80th birthday while at work at the historical society, a day when everybody seemed to show up to do research; a genealogist from Cincinnati, two from Tennessee, two from Springfield, four from Kansas, another from Manhattan.

In the midst of all those genealogy researchers was Jo's birthday party.  "All those people.  Everybody got ice cream and cake," Jo laughs, "And from out of state, they must have thought they had never gotten into such a place."

* * * * * * * * * *
 (1) The compilations mentioned are available for reference or sale at the Clinton County Historical Society in Wilmington and include:

• Newspaper Abstracts Clinton County, Ohio 1886-1889 abstracted by Adrian Roberts, Josephine Williams, indexed by Joyce Hopkins Pinkerton, Clinton County Genealogical Society 2005
• Clinton County Newspaper Abstracts 1889-1894 by Joyce Pinkerton, Josephine Williams, Hazel Williams, Adrian Roberts, published by The Clinton Count Genealogical Society 2000
• Abstracts of Wilmington, Ohio Newspapers 1895-1899 by Josephine Williams and Hazel B. Williams, compiled and indexed by Joyce Pinkerton, published by The Clinton County Genealogical Society
• Clinton County Newspaper Abstracts 1915-1921 by Josephine Williams, Adrian Roberts; compiled and indexed by Joyce Pinkerton, published by the Clinton County Genealogical Society 2009
• Clinton County Newspaper Abstracts 1924-1928 abstracted by Josephine Williams, typed and indexed by Joyce Pinkerton, published by the Clinton County Genealogical Society 2009
• Clinton County Newspaper Abstracts 1929-1932 abstracted by Josephine Williams, typed and indexed by Joyce Pinkerton