Wagon "Wheelers" to Ohio

      In the year 1817, my newly wed paternal 4th-Great-Grandparents Ezeriah and Rachel (Lyon) Wheeler, ventured from New York to Ohio. Married the previous year, they set out to build a life for themselves in the rolling hills of Athens County, raising a family of seven children: Deborah, Lucinda, Edmund, William, Lois, Charles, and Dorus.  
     Of my direct lineage, the eldest Deborah married Samuel Wright in 1839.   
     Sadly Ezeriah died in 1841, leaving behind his widow Rachel with children still living at home. Four years later Rachel married widower Nicholas Border, who was a father of eleven children. And for the remainder of their days they enjoyed a happy life together with their blended family. 
     An article was written in the The Athens Messenger (2 Oct 1879), reporting detailed events of a family reunion. Here is a vivid excerpt telling how the young Wheelers traveled to Ohio: 

    ...Mrs. Border, whose maiden name was Rachel Lyon, was born in 1800, near Albany, New York. Married Ezekiah Wheeler in 1816 and the following year emigrated to Ohio, (making the trip in a big wagon. They subsequently returned to New York again journeying in a wagon, thus across the mountains three times--not so easy a task in these days of railroads) settling in Alexander Township, Athens County, then a wilderness hitherto undisturbed by sound of ringing ax or echoing shout of the sturdy tiller of the soil, the howling wolves and the mingled cries of the feathered denizens of the forest alone breaking in upon the settler...  
    
     Rachel (Lyon) Wheeler Border died at her residence in New England, Athens County, OH, on February, 1882. By all those who loved and respected her, she was fondly known as Mother Border.  

Obituary - John Lawrence Casper

   John Lawrence Casper was born on the 10th day of April, 1851, in Kierlindoh, Bavaria, Germany. He was made a member of the Lutheran church by his confirmation in 1864. He emigrated to this country in the year 1871 and was employed for a short time in Columbus, Ohio, after which time he came to Hardin county, where he made his home for the rest of this days. He was united in marriage with Miss Marguerite B. Frank on the 12th day of March 1872. To this union were born eleven children, six sons and five daughters, of which nine are still living, two having preceded him in death. 
    Mr. Casper remained faithful to his confirmation vows and was for fifty years a member of St. John's Lutheran church [Dola], which church he helped to organize. He became ill on the 29th of November and from that time his health and strength failed very rapidly amidst much pain and suffering until he peacefully fell asleep Monday, January 12 at 1:55 p.m. having reached the age of 68 years. 
    The following children are left to mourn him: Frederick W. Casper, Mrs. Anna Rosina Shaffer, Mrs. Maria Baier, Christ Casper, Carl Casper, Henry Casper, Mrs. Elizabeth Wedertz, and Lawrence Casper, Jr. Besides these are left to mourn him one brother and three sisters, seventeen grand children and two great grand children. Funeral services will be held at St. John's Lutheran church Thursday morning at 10 o'clock. 

The weather had become so bad, his body was taken from the church by bob-sled for burial in Smith Cemetery [located down the road.]  
(From the notes of Dorothy Casper Blumenschine, daughter of Carl Casper)
   

Tombstone Tuesday - John Lawrence & Barbara (Frank) Casper

My maternal Great-Great-Grandparents

John Lawrence Casper

Born: 10 Apr 1851 in Kairlindach, Germany

Died: 12 Jan 1920 in Dola, Hardin County, OH

Barbara Marguerite Frank

Born: 15 Feb 1852 in Washington Twp., Hardin, County, OH

Died: 7 June 1921 in Washington Twp., Hardin County, OH 

Married on 12 Mar 1872 in Hardin County, OH

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Smith Cemetery

Near Dola, OH

Located on the sw corner of SR33, nw corner of SR701 & TR105
(Row 5)

Many Cessna and Washington Township residents are buried in this small country cemetery. In 1904, the Trustees of these Townships erected a surrounding fence made from 1-1/4" gas pipe and purchased an additional 12 ft. of ground for a drive along the west side, sold by Mr. Findlay for the cost of $12.50. In August 1904, the land was surveyed for the purpose of laying into lots. A better wrought-iron fence was also built since the original was found to be unsatisfactory by the Trustees. A new tool house and privy was built in 1908 by George Beach for his low bid of $56.25. 

(From the notes of Luella Casper Baier) 

   

What's in a Nickname - Bokky



 Me & Bocka B.
(and her Birthday cake, 24 May 1968)



 

     Her given name was Dorothy Lucille Casper. When she married my Grandpa she became Mrs. Theodore "Ted" Blumenschine. Her siblings referred to her as "Sis" and her children called her "Mother" or simply "Mom."     

     When I was learning to talk (pointing & blabbering 'bokka' to everything in sight), she was bestowed with a unique monicker she fully embraced. Resulting from my baby chatter..."Bokka B." became her nickname among family, close friends, acquaintances & the neighborhood kids in the small town of Kenton, Ohio. In many instances, she wasn't known by any other name. Of course everyone had their own personal variations of sayings & spellings, the most common adaptation being "Bokky." As her firstborn grandchild, it makes me smile knowing my speech impediment became a lasting term of endearment for such a special lady; a gentle, loving & Faithful soul, sensitive poet & writer, who enjoyed a good chuckle!    

     After her death, I found this note she scribbled in one of her many journals: "Babka" the Polish word for cake, word often used for Grandmother.

     Close enough. But makes me wonder about the coincidences... 

     Considering Bokky's heritage was German and Swiss, was I channeling an unknown Polish ancestor?!...
     Her grandfather John Lawrence Casper was a baker before coming to America from Germany in 1871 as a young man...
     One thing I know for certain, Casper descendants inherited a sweet tooth for pastries! 

~~Miss you, Bokky~~

Love, Shanny

                               

In Loving Memory ~ Dorothy (Casper) Blumenschine

My maternal Grandmother 

Dorothy Lucille (Casper) Blumenschine

Born: 24 May 1915 in Hardin County, OH

Died: 23 October 1993 in Montgomery, Kettering, OH

 

(Obituary, The Kenton Times)

     Dorothy L. Blumenchine, 78, died in the early morning of Oct. 23, 1993, at her daughter's home in Kettering.

     She was born May 24, 1915, in Hardin County, to Carl and Lena Oberly Casper.

     In 1934, she married Theodore Blumenschine, who died in 1967.

     Mrs. Blumenschine and her husband owned and operated Blumenschine's Produce. She wrote poetry and a number of her works were published. She was a member of the St. John's United Church of Christ in Kenton.

    Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Robert (Joyce) Cannarrozzi of Kettering and Mrs. Dick (Faith) Rapp of Lima, one son, Robert Blumenschine of Kenton; one sister Grace Sheldon of Kenton; and eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. 

     She was preceded in death by a brother, Raymond Casper.

     Services will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Price Funeral Home, Kenton. 

     The Rev. Scott Johnson will officiate. Burial will be in Grove Cemetery. 

     Friends may call from 11 a.m. until time of services Tuesday at the funeral home. 

     Memorial contributions may be made to the Mary Lou Johnson Library or Hospice of Dayton.    

~You are forever in our hearts~

A Hex Upon Your House

     About 300 years ago, peasant farmers from the Rhine region of Germany and Switzerland settled in the southeastern countryside of Pennsylvania. These settlers consisted of plain dressed Amish & Mennonites, and the more worldy fancy Lutheran & Reformed sects. This community became known as the "Pennsylvania Dutch." The term "Dutch" is a rendering of  deutsch or dietsch meaning "German," not referring to the Dutch people of the Netherlands.
     Bringing their homeland customs, the immigrants created colorful quilts, needlework, and handcrafted furniture still prized today. Popular folk art emerged in the mid-1800's, with brightly painted Hex Signs decorating the drab barns of the "Fancy Dutch" because it cost too much to paint the entire structure. Although the exact meaning behind the name of these novelties is a mystery, it is believed the term derived from the German word sechs (six) which evolved into hex. Originally the most popular symbols were six-sided geometric star designs, hence the name. In this case the word hex is not a bewitching curse, but considered a good luck charm warding off evil spirits. 
     The symbols and colors of Hex Signs (or Barn Art) have special meanings, stemming from medieval European roots and fraktur, a word describing the ornate script and artistry stylizing Bibles; marriage, birth and death certificates. For example:

• Crescent Moon - the four seasons
• Distelfink - mythical bird of good luck & happiness
• Heart - true love
• Oak Leaf - long life, strength and endurance
• Tulips - Faith, hope, charity, and trust in mankind
• Blue - protection, peace, spirituality
• Green- growth, fertility
• Orange - success in career and projects
• Red - passion, charisma, creativity
• Violet - sacred
• Yellow - physical and mental health, connection to God

      Coming to America in 1728, my paternal Eshelman ancestors were among these Swiss immigrants who settled in Lancaster and Franklin Counties of Pennsylvania. This might explain my attraction to the whimsical folk art spotted throughout my house.
   

The Distlefink is the mythical "Bird of Good Luck and Happiness." 

It is based on the thistle seed-loving Goldfinch. On this Hex Sign, the bird

is perched on a large heart of love, with tulips of faith.  

This design features two Distlefinks expressing love and friendship.

Two hearts beating as one, their embrace surrounded by a never ending circle.

The tulips show faith this love will last forever.  

This is the popular "Irish Dutch" Hex Sign.

The design contains a traditional shamrock, and two Distlefinks

signifying a double dose of good fortune. 

Also a red heart for love; trinity tulips for faith, hope and charity; 

and scalloped border for smooth sailing in life. 

Luck of the Irish...Germans and Swiss!