THE LICKING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
THE LICKING COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Quarterly
www.lchsohio.org
Summer, 2009
Vol. 19, No. 3
Working On the Wehrle Farm
by Wanda Higgins
When I learned that there was to be
an agricultural event for the Licking
County Bicentennial last year, I
wondered if the Wehrle farm would be
one of the subjects. (It never was). I
don’t know much about the history of
the Wehrle farm but I definitely
remember working there.
machinery. No wonder Lucille
couldn’t get anything done.
When naptime rolled around, little
Louis slept soundly, and I, not used to
being idle, offered to help Lucille and
her mother-in-law with other chores.
So, she put me to work. As soon as
the dinner (at noon) dishes were done,
the elder Mrs. Paisley would climb
onto a high stool, and lift the receiver
off the old-fashioned wall phone, and
listen in on the party line, which I
thought was disgraceful! She would
shush us if she couldn’t hear.
My mother came home from church
one day and said that Lucille Paisley
was looking for someone to take care
of her two-year-old boy so she could
get her work done. Her husband,
Louis, managed the farm. At fourteen,
I did have experience in childcare
since my brother and sister were six
and eleven years younger than me,
and I had been responsible for a lot of
their care.
Even though I had visited my
grandparents’ and aunts’ and uncles’
farms, none were prosperous enough
Wanda Lemaster 1942 — age 14
to have a hired man. But, the Wehrle
farm was too big for Louis to manage
Mother had it all worked out. We lived in
by himself, so he had hired men. There
the 400 block of West Main Street, and I
were three the summer I was there. One
could ride my bike over to Maholm Street,
was a likeable, chatty old fellow, who
and on out to Rt. 79 to the farm. The
stopped at the house one day and asked for
Wehrle Stove Factory was on the east side
a job. Another of the hired men was a surly
of O-79, and they owned the land across the
type, who seldom spoke, just ate, left the
road and a little to the south, where the
table, and went out to work. Though Louis
Southgate Shopping Center is today.
said he was a good worker, he gave Lucille
and me the creeps. One day he just up and
So, for 75 cents a day, I climbed on my bike
left without giving notice. The only
at about eight o’clock in the morning, and
encounters I had had with such men were
arrived at the farm door to take up my
the hobos my mom would feed on the back
duties. I would stay until four o’clock, and
porch during Depression days. As the
then peddle home. Little Louis was a good
Wanda — 1949
summer went by, I was amazed by these
boy, but as most two year olds, was a bit
hired hands that had no family, no roots, no
rambunctious. He wanted to chase the
chickens, hide in the cornfield, and explore all the
---continued on page two
Page 1
LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
— Continued from page one
homes, and yet seemed to be content with their lives. They
worked a few weeks, and then moved on.
did I realize that for those men, a meal was just a
necessary break in their workday.
Lucille jolted me out of my stupor, and I began to pass
around great bowls of mashed
potatoes and platters of
chicken. I really flew to keep
coffee cups and milk glasses
filled. When the men were
through, they were through,
and just got up and left the
table. Lucille and I sat down,
exhausted by the time we
could eat our own meal.
Then we had to tackle the
stacks of dishes.
When it was time for the
combiners to come to do
whatever they did (at that
time I wasn’t sure what that
was), Lucille asked me to
stay longer to help prepare
the noon meal for them. She
was expecting eight or ten
extra men. My mother often
cooked for that many
relatives, and since mothers
have a way of making things
At the end of summer, I had
look easy, I thought there was
to leave the job to go back to
nothing to making such a
Wanda (left) today, with sister-in-law, Bert
school. Little Louis had
meal. I couldn’t understand
grown a little older, and a little
why Lucille was bustling about so, getting food from the
freezer, baking pies and cakes, and peeling apples for bowls more settled. The next year, I went to work at the Burke
Golf Company, making protective gas capes for service
and bowls of applesauce. We snapped beans, cut corn off
men. Several girls under sixteen were able to get limited
the cob, and combined the two for the vegetable dish. We
work permits because of the labor shortage during the war.
peeled and mashed what seemed like pecks of potatoes,
I made considerably more than 75 cents a day, but I don’t
and made GALLONS of gravy!
think I learned as much as I did working on the Wehrle
When the meal was ready, and the table all set and loaded
farm that summer of 1942.
with food, we called the workers in. I stood with my mouth
open as I saw huge men, with very red or tanned faces and
necks, stop by the pump outside to wash up. They trooped Wanda Higgins was born and raised in Newark, graduated from
Newark High School, class of 1946, married in 1949, and
in and made straight for the table without waiting for
anyone else, sat themselves down, and began eating. Such moved first to St. Louisville, and then to Utica. She worked at
the Utica Herald, and was secretary for the Utica United
eating! Coming from a family that laughed, joked, and
Methodist Church. She is a charter member of the Utica
talked as we shared a meal, I was floored to see so many
Historical Society.
men at one table that did nothing but eat. Only years later
Webb House Museum
It has been a fairly quiet summer at the
Webb House. There has been lots of time
to “rattle around” in the house. It really is
a pretty old house with so many lovely
things to enjoy. Visitors frequently are
drawn to certain items that remind them of
their childhood or their grandmother’s house
or perhaps something that they collect. Those of us who
spend lots of time here at the Webb House have our
favorites too.
house itself with its warmth and comfortable
feel. She especially likes Mr. and Mrs.
Webb’s blue bedroom with the windows that
bring in so much light.
Tammy likes a lovely little breakfast set that
is on display in that same bedroom. It is
white with a raised design of small periwinkle blue fruit and
flowers. The set consists of a plate, bowl, cup and saucer,
and two different sized pitchers. She also likes a large pale
green glass plate that has a fruit design on the reverse side.
Marlene, who has been here the longest, doesn’t have any
one particular item that she likes best. She says it’s the
---continued on page five
Page 2
LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
“From Out of the Past”
Two Desks at the Alexandria, Ohio, Museum
by D. Robert Tharp
It was in 1930, during the
ours. Two ships, two brigs, one
Alexandria Centennial
schooner, one sloop.”
Celebration, that the idea of a
Commodore Perry’s desk was
museum began taking shape. The
eventually purchased at a public
Centennial event was governed
auction by retired veterinarian
by the newly formed Alexandria
Fred Nichols, who lives in
Community Council, which was
Alexandria. Dr. Nichols donated
the first of its kind in Ohio.
the desk to the Museum.
Although the collection of
The second desk of note has a
memorabilia began almost
book case mounted above it, and
immediately, it was not until 1963
was owned by Dr. Willoughby
when Velma Peebles offered the
Dayton Miller, B.S., M.S., D.D.,
use of a small building located
Ph.D., and M.D. Dr. Miller
Commodore Perry’s folding desk
next to her house, that the
(1853-1907), is probably the most
collection was first organized into the Alexandria Museum.
famous resident in the history of Alexandria. A dentist, he is
This small museum became known by the Ohio Historical
credited with being the first person to accurately describe
Society as the smallest museum in Ohio. In 1992,they
the process and cause of tooth decay. His research linking
moved into their current home, the former residence of the
oral bacteria to tooth decay remains unchallenged today.
late Dr. and Mrs. L. C. Laycock.
His findings sparked a huge wave of interest in oral
Two of the most notable items in the museum are desks.
hygiene.
The first is a folding desk that was the property of
Dr. Miller was a champion rifle marksman of Germany, and
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819). Where
the golf champion of Germany and Austria. He collected
Commodore Perry went, his desk went with him. The
some 10,000 butterflies and wrote 550 books and articles in
Commodore is known as the
several different languages. A large
“Hero of Lake Erie” for his
marker placed in front of the
victory over the British Navy
Alexandria Library by the Ohio
during the War of 1812. During
Historical Society features his
that battle his ship, the Lawrence,
picture and story of his life.
was so badly damaged that he had
This brief article has focused on
to transfer his command flag to
two desks, but the Alexandria
the Niagara. It was Perry’s flag
museum has quite a display of
that made famous the motto
clocks and an extensive collection
“Don’t Give up the Ship!” His
of American Indian artifacts found
desk still has the remains of hot
in the Raccoon Valley area.
tar which fell onto the desk when
Located at 23 West Main Street,
the ship’s riggings caught fire
P. O. Box 96, Alexandria, Ohio
during the battle. Tar was used on
43001, it is open to the public on
the riggings as a way to
Sundays, 2:00-4:00 pm and by
waterproof them, so fortunately
special appointment. It is closed
the desk was not badly damaged.
during January and February. For
The conditions of surrender were
more information contact Martha
signed on Perry’s desk. He is still
Sturgill, Chairperson for the Board
known today for the motto on his
of Museum Trustees at 740-924flag and for the report he sent
2453, or by email at:
General William Henry Harrison
martha_sturgill@hotmail.com or
after the battle, which read: “We
info@alexandriamuseum.org.
have met the enemy and they are
Dr. Miller’s desk
Page 3
— Continued on page four
LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
New and Renewing LCHS Members
The following members paid their dues since the winter issue of the Quarterly (February 7, 2009 through July 23, 2009) A
complete membership list is in the spring Quarterly each year. Please notify the office (740- 345-4898) of any errors.
We appreciate your
support!
Mr & Mrs Dwaine Albers
Mrs Anne Albyn
Ms Jane Alexander
Tiffany Aumann
Mr & Mrs Robert Baldwin
Drs S G Katz & C Barsky
Ms Virginia Beckett
Ms Marian Bieberbach
Mr & Mrs Jerry Bowden
Dr & Mrs James E Bradley
Dr & Mrs Thomas Brannon
Earl & Elaine Browning
Steven R Carlson
Mr & Mrs Joseph Charles
Barry Cheney
Roland & Rosemary Decker
Ms Jill Dillon
Helen Dorsey
Robert & Paulette Dunlap
Mr & Mrs Jim Erickson
Mrs Sarah Ewing
Mr Daniel L Fleming
Dave,Nola,Doris Frankenhoff
Mrs Sandy Gartner
Miss Suzanne Graves
Mrs Janice Greider
Ms Jane Hale
Drs Thomas & MaryBeth Hall
Ms Wanda Higgins
William E Hoffer
Ms Gloria Hoover
Ms Clarissa Ann Howard
Mr & Mrs Rodney Howarth
Ms Mildred Johnson
Dr & Mrs Harold E Kelch
Pat Kelley
Mr & Mrs Joseph D Kennedy
Mr & Mrs George J Kucsma
Mr & Mrs Ernest Kuhn
Martha & Gary McDonald
Mr David McManus
Mr Ryan Meldahl
Mrs John J Mooney
Mr & Mrs Wm S Moore III
Martha J Morrison
Mrs Diana Myers
Mr Thomas E Norpell
Stuart & Marcia Parsons
Mr & Mrs Robin E Pierce
Ms Charlotte Pressler
LTC Fred J Pringle
Phoebe M Randall
Ms Rene Reinhard-Bartlett
Mr & Mrs John Row
Ms Connie Rutter
Barbara Ryan
Mr Stephen E Schaller
Mrs Marjorie Smith
Mr Robert Taylor
Mr & Mrs D Robert Tharp
Ms Lou Thomas
Ms Marylou Tussing
“From Out of the Past”
— Continued from page three
Sources of Information: Harmon, Jody,
“Old Desk Reveals the Past of Doctor,” The
Johnstown Independent, January 29, 1992
Lukens, Jim “Dr. Willoughby Dayton Miller,”
LCHS Quarterly, spring, 2007
Nichols, Fred. Alexandria, Ohio;
Perry, Oliver Hazard, Wikipedia Encyclopedia
Prevost, Amy, Alexandria Dentist Received
Worldwide Honors,” The Community Booster,
January 2, 1995
Bob Tharp is a LCHS Trustee and a
retired Licking Valley school
administrator. He resides in Heath with
his wife Reta.
Right: Dr. Miller’s Historical
Marker was placed in front of the
Alexandria Library by the Ohio
Historical Society. See page three
for more details.
Page 4
Mr Whit Tussing
Tom & Martha Tykodi
Mrs Richard L Vockel
Ms Alice Vogelmeier
Mr & Mrs Zane Wachtel
Ms Patricia Walker
Mr Scott A Walker
Dr & Mrs John W Walther
Mrs Leota R Warrick
Mr O K Waters
Mr & Mrs Bob Weaver
Mr & Mrs Tim Weisert
Ms Parmelee Wheeler
Mr George Willey
Mr Craig Young
Ms Sally Younker
Current Business Members
Barcus Lawn Service
Wilson, Shannon, & Snow, Inc.
Claggett & Sons
First Federal Savings
Matesich Distributing Co.
Park National Bank
Richardson Glass
The Energy Cooperative
LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
Gardeners Win Award
The Newark Garden Club received the Beautification
Award at the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs Convention
held in July. This award is given to a club for their efforts in
community beautification in Ohio. The Newark Garden
Club submitted a book on the work done at the SherwoodDavidson House. The original garden was destroyed when
the house was raised for the new foundation. The book
submitted contained photos, and a landscape plan for the
project. Committee chair Margie Graft and her committee
amended the soil and planted and maintain the garden.
Maintenance of the garden is an ongoing commitment for
the Club.
The people in the picture are left to right: Jean
Walton, Gale Ann Kelly, Club president Carol
Svatora, OAGC Beautification Chair Kathy
Martino, Margie Graft, Elaine Browning, Joyce
Morris, Region Director Kathleen Bennett, Jean
Jankowski.
Webb House Museum, continued from page two
Josh has been involved with the Webb House since he was
about six years old. Now a college sophomore, he also has
two favorite things. It’s no big surprise that one of his
favorites is our pond, “Lake Webb.” That is because he
designed and built it and takes care of it with occasional
help from his dad, Mark. It really is a beautiful addition to
our garden and anyone who loves water features should see
this one. Josh’s other favorite thing is our wonderful
mahogany Victrola, which still works to the delight of many
of our visitors.
As for me, it really is hard to choose just one or two
favorites, but since I’m writing the article and I made the
rules, I’ll try. First I would choose what we call “the dog
chair.” It is an upholstered chair with carved dog heads as
the arms. It belonged to Mrs. Webb’s father, Anthony
Pitser. It’s really unusual. My other favorite is a gorgeous
copper tray made by Ethel Mosteller, Mrs. Webb’s sister. It
has embossed dragonflies all around the edge, is dated 1908,
and has the name “Pitser” on it.
I know it seems ridiculously early, but we have already
started to prepare for our annual Candlelight Open House.
Trying to come up with something new and different every
year is a bit of a challenge. And for the past two years, we
have decorated ten trees! We have plans to do that many
again this year. Our theme is going to be “Christmas
Carols.” The open house will be held on Saturday,
December 5, from 5 until 8 in the evening. Don’t miss it!
Plan to visit the Webb House soon to see our favorite things
and discover what yours might be! We are open on
Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from 1 until 4. You may
also make an appointment for a visit at another time by
calling 345-8540. We welcome groups, preferably not too
large, but we can work with you. There is a small charge
for group tours. Call for more information.
Page 5
—Mindy Honey Nelson,
Curator
LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
Sherwood-Davidson Museum
As I spend time in the Sherwood-Davidson
House during these unpleasantly warm
August days, I can’t help but wonder what
summer would have been like in the house
in the 1800’s when the Davidson’s called it
home. With the windows closed, and
decorated with shades and draperies, even
on sunny days, the interior is somewhat dark. That alone
makes for a cooler feeling, especially when first coming in
from the bright outdoors. With ten-foot ceilings, much of the
warm air rises up, plus the spaciousness makes it seem
more comfortable. On hot days when I open the house at
1:00, quite frequently the air-conditioning has not even come
on yet that day! Of course as anyone with a two story
house knows, the
second floor heats
up quicker, and
could become
unpleasant even
early in the day.
But, with twelve
windows and a
door on the
second floor, even
a slight breeze
would be caught.
On its original site
at the corner of
Third and Church,
the lower and
gallery porches
faced south. This
allowed for the
porches to catch
summer breezes, which are usually from a southerly
direction. Even though our porches now face north, I have
often wished we had outdoor furniture on our second floor
gallery porch, so I could occasionally sit out there and wait
for visitors. There is something magical about being up “in
the treetops” and having a view of the courtyard and
fountain below. The Davidson’s would have had a birds’
eye view of the activity on Church Street—entertaining at
times, I’m sure.
such delights as ice cream, strawberries, cake,
and lemonade.
I tend to be a romantic where the past is
involved, and I’m sure the heat (and all that
goes with it) was at times just as oppressive if
not more so, as it is now. The comfort level of
the Davidson’s may not have been as good as
I imagine. After all, there were layers of undergarments
and clothes, stockings and closed shoes, no deodorant, long
hair piled up, and a fire constantly burning in the kitchen
hearth. Not to mention the servants’ quarters where there
was the heat from the kitchen chimney, and only five tiny
windows. Of course, when the house’s windows were
open, there would
have been the
annoyance of
mosquitoes, flies,
and any number
of other insects
and “varmints.”
As late as 1854,
there was a
cholera epidemic
that killed
upwards of 75
Newark
residents. So
much for the
“Good Ole
Summertime!”
In spite of some
of the
uncomfortable
elements of life in
the past, most written accounts indicate that folks
thoroughly enjoyed the warm summer months. They
enjoyed the simple things like flowers, fresh fruits and
vegetables, and swimming in Raccoon Creek. I don’t think
they knew they were uncomfortable!
For relief from the hot weather, or as a distraction, there
were excursions to Avondale resort at the Reservoir
(Buckeye Lake), picnics at Blackhand Gorge, baseball
games featuring local teams, and the visiting circus. In June
of 1875, Mrs. Joe Kuster opened ice cream parlors at their
private residence on Church Street. People were treated to
These days with all of our modern amenities, we aren’t
often uncomfortable. Nonetheless, some warm late summer
day, come visit the museum, and see how cool and inviting a
182-year-old house can be. (Of course, we have airconditioning!)
The Sherwood-Davidson House is open Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Saturdays from 1-4 pm, and by
appointment.
Page 6
— Emily A Larson, Curator
LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
LCHS Board Notes
LCHS Secretary’s Board Minutes
Report—Summer 2009
Greetings to Members and Supporters
of Licking County Heritage! Your
LCHS Board continues to meet
monthly to work on the business at
hand for your society. In fact, we are
already planning the calendar of
events for next year, 2010, which will
showcase the people and places of
Licking County. Now is the time for
you to let us know your thoughts on
additional activities you’d like to see
us present. Remember-we need your
support of our events in order to
continue presenting them to you!
For those of you who weren’t in
attendance, our Annual Dinner
Meeting was held July 17th,
celebrating the activities of the
society, to honor our volunteers, and
to present the slate of officers and
board members for the 2009-10 year.
We also enjoyed a program from Rich
Niccum on Ghost Towns of Licking
County, and thank him for his time.
Out-going President Ryan Meldahl
was congratulated for his continued
service, as he now takes the Vice
President position. Sincere thanks
also go out to Jim Lukens for his
dedication, as he now leaves our
board. New LCHS President will be
Jim Hostetter, with Linda Leffel and
Bob Baldwin continuing their positions
as Secretary and Treasurer,
respectively. LCHS Board Trustees
for the 2009-10 year will be as
follows: Jim Hostetter, Ryan Meldahl,
Linda Leffel, Bob Baldwin, Vince
Becker, Jim Bradley, Rene Reinhard,
Kay Rugg, Bob Tharp, and we
welcome a new member filling in a
one-year term—Alan Magaw of
Utica. We’re still in need of 2 more
trustees for our Board. If you have
interest in this commitment, or can
suggest a good candidate, please call
the office, 345-4898.
With the current economic climate,
your board is discussing ways in which
we can significantly cut some of our
monthly expenses. Many of our
“things to do & fix up” around our
properties are already taken care of by
volunteers, especially Ryan Meldahl,
who is head of Building & Grounds
Committee. At this time we are
“holding our own,” but of course need
to run our organization as efficiently as
possible. Unfortunately, we have been
cut from the County Commissioners
Budget for next year, which had been
$10,000 last year, and we’ve received
$5,000 so far this year.
few months, including a steel baby
bed, 2 chairs made by a local
company, a locally made bicycle
retrieved from a Dayton museum, and
house design blueprints from local
architect George Ball—who will be
the focus of a lecture, exhibit and tour
next spring. Also, a book entitled
“Christmas in Historic Houses” is
being sent to publishers, and we are
happy to share that the SherwoodDavidson House has been chosen to
be in it.
---Linda Leffel, LCHS Secretary
Other happenings…we have received
numerous historical acquisitions the last
2009 Calendar of Events
Friday, September 11, 6 PM “Echoes From the
Past” annual graveyard walk at Cedar Hill
Cemetery
Friday, October 23, 6 PM “Haunted Lecture, and
Soup Supper,” Soup, eerie stories, and oldfashioned Halloween games
Buckingham Meeting House
Sunday, November 8, 4 PM “A Settlers’ Harvest
Dinner.” Partake of a hearty meal of foods
early Licking County residents would have
enjoyed. Reservations required
Buckingham Meeting House
Saturday, December 5, 5 PM-8 PM Annual
“Christmas in Veterans’ Park” & Candlelight
Christmas at Webb House
For information or reservations for events, please call 740-345-4898
Page 7
LCHS Quarterly – Vol 19, No. 3
The Licking County Historical Society
QUARTERLY
EDITORS: Emily Larson and Phyllis Hartroft
Quarterly Committee: Mindy Nelson,
Catherine Lederer, John Weaver, Marie Greider,
Ryan Meldahl.
SOCIETY OFFICERS:
Jim Hostetter, President
Ryan Meldahl, Vice-president
Robert Baldwin, Treasurer
Linda Leffel, Secretary
TRUSTEES:
2010: Ryan Meldahl, Rene Reinhard, Vince
Becker, Jr, Alan Magaw
2011: Robert Baldwin, Kay Rugg, Linda Leffel
2012: Jim Bradley, Jim Hostetter, Robert Tharp
Lifetime Trustees: Jim Bradley, Jean Elliott, Lee
Dickson, Janice Greider, Jane Hale, Catherine
Lederer, John Weaver, Amy Bowden
Camera-ready PDF file, including photos, prepared on
home computer by Phyllis M Hartroft, volunteer.
Printed from the PDF file by A Printed Impression to whom we are grateful for a reduced price.
THE LICKING COUNTY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Veterans’ Park, Sixth Street
PO Box 785
Newark, OH 43058-0785
Membership Application
The Licking County Historical Society
(Mr Mrs Ms Dr)
Name _______________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________
City ____________________State ____ Zip_________________
Email address ____________________________
Regular Memberships
Individual ....... $25
Family .............. 35
Senior .............. 20
Joint -Senior .... 30
Student .......... $10
Contributing .... 60
Sustaining ..... 125
Life .............. 1000
Business Memberships
Small Business ... $50
Large Business .... 250
Corporate Member 500
Please complete this form and enclose payment to:
The Licking County Historical Society, PO Box 785, Newark, OH 43058-0785
Thank you for your support!
We of the Historical Society are interested in what you would like
to see in the Quarterly and on our Web site. Any input would be
appreciated. The editors welcome contributions for the
Quarterly but the content of each issue will be detemined by the
Quarterly Committee. Please submit disks, email attachments,
and/or hard copy to the LCHS office, in care of Emily Larson
(lchs@alink.com).
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
NEWARK, OHIO
Permit No. #8
MUSEUMS
Sherwood Davidson, N 6th Street, Newark, OH,
740-345-4898, sherwooddavidson@yahoo.com
Emily Larson, Curator
Open 1-4 PM, Tues, Thurs, Sat. Closed Jan thru Apr.
Webb House, 303 Granville Street, Newark, OH,
740-345-8540, webbhouse@lchsohio.org
Mindy Nelson, Curator
Open 1-4 PM, Thurs, Fri, Sun. Closed Jan thru Mar.
Robbins Hunter, 221 E Broadway, Granville, OH,
740-587-0430, info@averydownerhouse.org
Ann Lowder, Director, AnnLowder@windstream.net
Open 11- 3 PM, Wed-Sat & by appt. Closed Jan.
Office & Library N 6th St, Newark, OH.
740-345-4898, e-mail: lchs@alink.com
Open Mon-Fri, all year. Please phone or email ahead.
Page 8