Workmen Excavate Giant Fish in East Side Lowland of Defiance

 

From the Crescent-News, April 1, 1918, p. 2 --

"WORKMEN EXCAVATE GIANT FISH IN EAST SIDE LOWLAND

Workmen excavating in the East Defiance flats came upon a remarkable find this morning in the skeleton of what must have been a giant prehistoric fish.  While the remains resemble a fish, yet they might be that of a giant bird of some kind.  The fish theory is thought to be the most plausible; however, as scientists have always maintained that this section of northwestern Ohio was once a part of Lake Erie.  Evidence of this fact is shown in the North Ridge and the South Ridge, which it is claimed, were the shores of the old lake.

The lake, however, was never thought to have reached Defiance.  There is a possibility that inlets might have reached as far south as the city, however, or the great fish might have been cast this far south by a great storm.  Nevertheless, the remains were there.

The skeleton is fifteen feet, seven inches in length The fish evidently had the form of a lizard with a horrible saw tooth back.  The jaws resembled those of an alligator but were much longer.  There are monster teeth showing that the big fish fed on other fish.

Only the head of the fish was found in the excavation for the house, but the workmen followed the line of the skeleton and dug back, uncovering the entire skeleton.  The Ohio Geological Research Society has been notified by telegraph and will send a representative here who will properly pack the bones and take them to Columbus.

Folks who have read this story must not forget that it is April 1st, commonly referred to as April Fool's Day..,"

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Old Account Book of the Norway Store, Williams Center and Farmer, 1863

 

The Home of Clyde and Gertrude Norway in Farmer, probably the early 1920s.

From The Bryan Press,  Bryan, Ohio, 4 February 1932:

"Norway's 1863 Book Oldest Yet Reported

Clyde Norway, of Farmer Center, has brought to the Press office another old account book to be entered in the contest.

It is the cash book begun by his father, John Norway, when he opened a general store in Williams Center, Nov 2, 1863.  Some time between 1863 and 1869, John Norway moved his store, which he had started in partnership with a brother-in-law, Mills, to Farmer and the store has been located there in possession of the Norway family ever since

Clyde evidently has the winning entry in the contest with his 1863 book, but says his grandfather was in business at Farmer previous to 1863 and that if anyone shows up with an older book, he will dig into the attic and see what he can find.

Among the unusual entries in the 1863 book is one of five dressed wild turkeys, bought of Isiah Johnson for five cents a pound.  Clover seed sold to James Lane for 11 1/2 cents per pound.  Elias Tharp purchased sugar at 15 cents a pound and coffee at 40 cents a pound.  A muskrat skin brought 10 cents. Wood was $1 per cord. Muslin was 35 cents per yard.  Eggs were 10 cents per dozen.  Dressed ducks and chickens sold for 5 cents per pound.  The book bears a note of sale to James Wines for candle molds and two pairs of coffin hinges

Among the familiar names in the Norway book are O. E. Ensign, P. Castor, James Gardner, William Lane, J. Dillman, T. C. Biglow, William Griswold, Jacob Rager, Phillip Stohl, Ed Eager and others who have descendants living around Williams and Farmer Centers today."

Assuming this photo was taken in 1946, the year Farmer won the Ohio Class B Basketball state championship.  

The Aloha, 1923, advertisements

Any information on this record book from the Norway store?  Please share, if you do!

"

Is RALPH COBURN in Your Family Tree?

 Over the years, we collect photos that folks donate to us.  We would like to get these photos back to the family where each belongs.  

Please message us or email defiance genealogy2002@yahoo.com if you are interested in having a certain photo and we will send it to you? Perhaps you could mention how you are related to the person in the photo.

RALPH COBURN'S commencement announcement from

Hicksville High School, 1904

Is FRIEDA V. SPANGLER in Your Family Tree?

 

Over the years, we collect photos or memorabilia that folks donate to us.  We would like to return these things back to the family where each belongs.  

Please message us or email defiance genealogy2002@yahoo.com if you are interested in having a certain photo or item and we will send it to you.  

Perhaps you could mention how you are related to the person represented.

Invitation to the Commencement Exercises at Farmer Township High School, 1928

May 18th at the Church of Christ, Farmer, Ohio

Is ANNA REBESEL HECKENBERRY in Your Family Tree?

 Over the years, we collect photos or items that folks donate to us.  We would like to return these back to the family where each belongs.  

Please email defiance genealogy2002@yahoo.com if you are interested in having a certain photo and we will send it to you? 

Perhaps you could mention how you are related to the person in the photo.

The back of the photo states:

Anna (Rebesel) Heckenberry, lived in Akron, Ohio

No date.

World War I Series - Charles Butler

 

Charles Butler

Charles Butler, the last of the soldiers in this series, was an enigma for quite a while.  He was born in Michigan, was on the 1900 and 1910 censuses with his parents in Minnesota, lived in Defiance for a short time, and enlisted in Ohio and then joined the National Army in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Charles was born in Iron Mountain, Michigan, on November 15, 1889, the son of Charles Carroll Butler, Sr. and his wife, Alice M. Parmalee.  Charles, the soldier, was actually a junior to his father, but he never used his middle initial or the junior on the documents for the military.  His parents were born in Wisconsin, adding to their travel journey.  From at least 1900 until their son's death, the family lived in Virginia, St. Louis County, Minnesota.  

Why Charles was in Defiance, Ohio in 1917 when he enlisted is a mystery, but the book, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines, placed him there, living at 814 Clinton Street. He seemed to claim Defiance as is residence in all things military. Nothing could be found on his life in Defiance.  

After enlisting on November 23, 1917, into the National Army at 28 years old, he was placed in Company A, 304th Engineers where he stayed until January 7, 1918.  By occupation, Charles had trained as a civil engineer at the University of Wisconsin, and on the 1910 census was employed by the city of Virginia, Minnesota as such. He was last assigned in the Army to Company A, 301st Battalion TC (Tank Corps). 

On March 28, 1918, Charles departed New York City on the ship Olympic, headed for France. His contact person was his mother, Alice P (Parmalee) Butler.  He was with the 65th Engineers, Company A, Heavy Tank Section. (It is unknown if his father was alive at this time.)

He moved up the ranks quickly from his first assignment as a Private until he was promoted to Captain on February 25, 1918, and finally, Sergeant on March 3, 1918.  He was part of the Somme Second Offensive, often called one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

At first, Charles was reported as Missing in Action during the Battle of St. Quentin Canal, but later that was changed to Killed in Action.  He was declared dead on September 28, 1918.  His name rests on the "Tablets of the Missing" at the Somme American Cemetery, Bony, Aisne, France.

His body, if found later, was memorialized in the Somme American Cemetery. For his bravery, he was awarded a Purple Heart and a World War I Victory Medal with one bronze service star, posthumously.  No obituary or photograph of him could be found.

Defiance Crescent-News, May 17, 1921

"Butler Street 

Sgt. Charles Butler

 Co. A 301st Tank Battalion 

Killed in Action 

Somme Offensive, France 

September 28th, 1918"

In Memoriam

Charles Carroll Butler, Jr.