Pressed Between the Pages - Four

I really learned something while researching this last find. Pressed between the pages of the old 1885 history book were four of these...

 As you can see, this one is in terrible condition as were three of the four bills. 
One can imagine it crumpled in someone's pocket as the crinkled surface indicates!
 Measuring about 2 inches x 4 inches, these are fractional currency, printed by our Federal Government in denominations of  5, 10, 25 and 50 cents and used to take the place of copper, silver and gold coins which were in shortage during the Civil War and for awhile beyond.

Only the mint in Philadelphia was pumping out coinage in the United States at the time, beginning in 1793, and keeping enough coins in circulation was a problem.  It became even more of an issue when the Civil War began and people began to hoard coins, leaving storekeepers and banks and well, everyone, short on ways to make change and pay for small objects.  The government tried a stamp system which did not work at all, and finally on August 21, 1862, fractional currency notes were printed, with the approval of President Lincoln and a Postage Act.

At first the sheets of bills were perforated, but that machine could not keep up, so eventually the bills were cut by hand with scissors.  The government kept fiddling with ways to thwart counterfeiting and seemed to get it right by the last two issues of the bills, the fourth and fifth issues.

Two 25 cent bills were found and both were Fifth Issue bills, printed between February 26, 1874 and February 15, 1876 with blue end paper.  Robert Walker, Secretary of the Treasury between 1845 and 1849, was the image on this denomination. (See above.)

 This bill is the best one, a Fifth Issue 50 cent bill, printed between July 1875 and February 1876.  The photo is of William H. Crawford, U. S. Secretary of the Treasury from 1816 - 1825.  It's often called the "Bob Hope" note because of Crawford's likeness to Bob Hope.

The 10 cent bill pressed between the pages was in very poor condition to the point that most of it was unreadable and very fragile.  
By the time of the Fifth Issue in 1875, it was thought by many that a shortage of coins no longer existed and probably this issue was not needed.  Hence the issue period was very short - only six months.

All the bills were carefully pressed individually inside folds of tissue paper.  So now I wonder who placed them there? 

And then, pressed in the pages ... there was the beautiful lock of yellow, blond hair, tied with a ribbon.  Was it from a child of the Leighty's who died?  Or a more recent addition?  We'll never know.

Pressed Between the Pages - Three

 Pressed between the pages were four leaf clovers...at least a dozen or more.
They were spread throughout the 1885 history book.

 These I tried to take out and they crumpled to the touch.  I think they were in the book when purchased.  Who finds that many 4 leafers?  Supposedly, only 1 in 10,000 "shamrocks" have four leaves.
I've never found one.

I left the rest in the book, even
though they are discoloring the pages.  It's just part of the history.

Oh, and if you need to know more, try this very interesting site!

Pressed Between the Pages - Two

 

Back in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, many counties, in this area, at least, had old settler or pioneer groups who met annually to socialize.  Many times, some rule would apply stating that the persons had to live in the county by a certain year in order to join.  
The DeKalb County History 1837 - 1987 described the local group on page 1389:

"The Pioneers' Association of DeKalb County was formed in 1878 and held its first meeting at Auburn on July 4, 1878.  Any person who was a citizen of DeKalb County prior to January 1, 1846, was eligible to belong.
Annual meetins were held on July 4 of each year, usually at groves near Auburn.  A "semicentennial" was held on June 21, 1883, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement of the county.  The meeting was held at St. Joe with General William Blair as the principal orator.
The association continued into the 1900's.  The records of the association would be useful to historians, but unfortunately they have not been found.  Newspaper accounts of meetins are sometimes useful."

It's likely that John Leighty (original owner of the 1885 history book) and son, Jacob, would certainly participate as some of the earliest settlers in Dekalb County, Indiana.  Pressed between the pages of the 1885 history was this ribbon from one of the pioneers' meetings.

Perhaps the rules were changed by this time and to be a member of this group, one would have to be in the county between the years 1835 - 1865?  The Leightys certainly qualified as they moved to Dekalb County in 1844.  The association meetings moved all around the county, I have read, but this particular one was right in the town founded by the Leighty's, St. Joe, and apparently there was quite a crowd. 

The Waterloo Press covered the meeting in their paper of June 22, 1905:

"OLD SETTLERS MEETING
HELD AT ST. JOE LAST WEEK THURSDAY
Next Year at Houlton's
Hon. R. M. Lockhart Chosen President and H. K. Leas, Secretary of the Old Settlers Association.

The annual meeting of the old settlers of Dekalb county held at St. Joe on Thursday last week was a decided success.  The citizens of that enterprising town made every preparation possible to make the day an enjoyable one.  Hundreds of flags and banners were displayed on nearly every business house and dwelling in the town.  The attendance was large, the register showing 271 old settlers from every part of the county which was the largest number that has been in attendance for a number of years.
The meeting was held in Widney's opera house, which was tendered by the owner at no cost.  Excellent band and vocal music was furnished and enjoyed by all.

The committee on arrangements had made ample provision for tables for all who had come with lunch baskets and they furnished free tea and coffee for all who desired it.  Many of the citizens of the town entertained their friends who came from a distance.
In the afternoon, a number of addresses were made by the old settlers in attendance, after which various committee reports were made.  R. M. Lockhart, of Waterloo, made an appeal for holding the next meeting the third Tuesday, in June, 1906, in the Houlton grove, six miles north of Butler, and two miles southeast of Hamilton.  The place is well known by every old settler of the county as being the home of John Houlton and wife, who built the first log cabin in Dekalb county, on September 4, 1833, three years before any other white family made a settlement in the county.

The committee decided unanimously for holding the meeting at that place.
The committee on nominations selected the following officers for the coming year: for president, R. M. Lockhart, of Waterloo; for vice-president, Wm. L. Houlton, of Hamilton; secretary, H. K. Leas, of Waterloo; treasurer, O. H. Taylor; biographer, O. H. Widney, St. Joe.  All of the officers are excellent men and the net meeting is already assured to be a success." 

John Houlton, first settler in Dekalb County, Indiana

Pressed Between the Pages - One

I've been researching the Case family, the family of Mary Lucetta (Case) Hollabaugh, and I noticed that three of her siblings died in 1861.  So I wondered if an epidemic hit Dekalb County, Indiana at that time.  That's what led me to this book, once owned by my mother-in-law...the History of Dekalb County, Indiana, published in 1885.  That's how it all began.

As I began to leaf through the pages (it has no index), I began to find some interesting items pressed between the pages. I forgot all about my original mission, and slowly went page by page through the book, collecting items as I went.  My husband remembered when his mother bought the book from an elderly gentleman in St. Joe, a Leighty, who used to regularly come into the dairy store his parents owned.  Sure enough, his mother wrote in the front of the book that it was purchased in 1962, and on page 536, she wrote the words, "Bought the book from" next to the entry about Jacob Leighty.

A little research and lining up of dates led to the conclusion that Jacob was the son of John Leighty, the original purchaser of the book.  You see, the original receipt was pressed between the pages and it was signed by John Leighty.

 John apparently passed the book to his son, Jacob D. Leighty, who passed it on to his only son, John R. Leighty. Perhaps one of his descendents sold his great-grandfather's old book to my husband's mother?  That led to a little more research into the Leighty line.

The original owner of the book, a very early settler in Dekalb County, was discussed on page 536-537:
"John Leighty, one of the prominent and successful early settlers of Dekalb County, is a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., born Nov. 18, 1808, a son of John and Catherine (Welker) Leighty, natives of Pennsylvania, of German descent.  When he was fifteen years of age he went to learn the shoemaker's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years.  He then worked as a journeyman till his marriage and then settled on a farm in his native county, where he lived until 1844, when in the early part of June, he moved to Dekalb County, Ind., and settled on section 33, Concord Township, where he built a cabin and began improving a farm.  

In 1859, he left the farm and moved to the village of Spencerville, where in 1865 he engaged in the mercantile business with his son.  In 1875 he and his son moved to section 15, Concord Township, where they bought one hundred acres of land and laid out the town of St. Joe, which is now a thriving village.  

Mr. Leighty was married April 4, 1833, to Elizabeth Sowash, a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., a daughter of Abraham and Susan (Weaver) Sowash.  To them have been born ten children, seven of whom are living - Catherine, Alexander, Jacob D., Maria, William, Charles B. and Mary.  Susan, John and Elizabeth are deceased.  Mr. and Mrs. Leighty are members of the Lutheran church.  Politically, he is a Democrat.

On the aforementioned page 535-536, the following is written of John's son:
"Jacob D. Leighty, merchant, St. Joe, Ind., was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Oct. 19, 1840, a son of John and Elizabeth (Sowash) Leighty.   He was four years of age when his parents moved to DeKalb County in 1844, and here he was reared.  When he was sixteen years of age, he began teaching school, and subsequently taught and attended school till the breaking out of the war of the Rebellion, being at that time in the sophomore class at Wittenburg College, Springfield, Ohio.

July 8, 1861, he enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Indiana Infantry, and was appointed a Sergeant of his company.  His first engagement was in the spring of 1862 at Fort Henry.  Subsequently, he participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Raymond, Champion Hills, and others.  At the last named battle he was wounded in the left hip and disabled from active service for sixty days.  He joined his regiment at Baton Rouge, and from there went down the Mississippi to New Orleans and into West Louisiana as far as Opelousas, his regiment being in several engagements on the way.  Then he returned to New Orleans, but as he was still suffering from his wound, he resigned in March, 1864, and returned home.  He was a gallant soldier, and for his bravery was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Jan. 24, 1862, and First Lieutenant Dec. 1 following. 

After his return home, he engaged in the mercantile business in Spencerville in company with Miller & Myers a short time, and then he and Mr. Miller purchased Mr. Myers' interest and the firm of Miller & Co. continued a year, when his father bought Mr. Miller's interest, changing the firm to John Leighty and Son.  In 1872, he bought his father's interest and in 1874 sold his stock to P. Bishop.  

In 1875 he and his father laid out the village of St. Joe and the following year, he became established in the mercantile business at this place.  He was appointed Postmaster in 1875 and served until 1880, when he was elected Township Trustee.  He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, Concord Lodge, No. 556; William Hacker Chapter, No. 56; Angola Council, No. 27; Apollo Commandery, No. 19.  He is a member of John C. Carns Post, No. 144, G.A.R.  In March 1866, Mr. Leighty was married to Kate A. Metzger, a native of Circleville, Ohio, daughter of Judge Andrew Metzger of Fort Wayne.  To them have been born three children, but one of whom is living  - John R."

Jacob's obituary appeared in the Fort Wayne Sentinel on October 17, 1912, page 1 and continued on p. 15:

"HON. J. D. LEIGHTY HAS PASSED AWAY
Former Congressman Dies at St. Joseph Hospital in Fort Wayne Due to Hemorrhage.

Hon. Jacob D. Leighty of St. Joe, formerly congressman for this district and for many years prominent in business in St. Joe, died at 10:50 o'clock this forenoon at the St. Joseph Hospital from internal hemorrhage due to cancer of the bowels and liver.  He was 73 years of age.
With Mrs. Leighty, the ex-congressman had come from his home in St. Joe Wednesday afternoon in their automobile to enter the hospital, Mr. Leighty expecting to undergo a surgical operation for hernia, with which he was suffering, although he had not been seriously ill, but had suffered somewhat for several weeks past.

His physician in this city, Dr. Maurice Rosenthal, examined him yesterday afternoon and concluded to defer a further examination until this afternoon because of Mr. Leighty's condition, as he complained of pains about the abdomen.  He passed a fairly good night and it was not supposed that there was anything critical about his condition.

This morning after 5 o'clock, he had great difficulty breathing and this continued until 9 o'clock when he became unconscious and remained so until his death, which Dr. Rosenthal found after a post-mortem examination, was due to the causes mentioned above.

His wife and son, John R. Leighty, of Kansas City, were both with him at the time of death.  The son had been apprised by telegraph of the condition of his father and had hastened to his side, arriving here late yesterday afternoon and conversing with him at the hospital.  At that time, the father had no apprehension of death and the son and Mrs. Leighty sharing the same belief.

Mr. Leighty was a 33d degree Mason and very prominent in the affairs of that fraternity.  The remains were removed late this afternoon to the Scottish Rite cathedral were friends may view them from 7 o'clock this evening until 3 o'clock Friday afternoon, when they will be removed to his home in St. Joe.

Surviving the deceased are the widow and son, John R. of Kansas City and two sisters and brothers, as follows: Mrs. Maria Obenholtzer of Spencerville and Mrs. Dr. Bowman of St. Joe and William and Benjamin Leighty of St. Joe.

Mr. Leighty was born at Greensburg, Pa. on November 7, 1839, and as a young man came to Indiana.  At. St. Joe, he was prominent in business for many years.  In 1896, he was elected for congress from this district on the republican ticket and served in that position for one term."

Jacob D. Leighty, Congressman

Jacob died in 1912, leaving just one son, and it is beside this entry that we have the words written in pencil, "Bought the book from."  I believe that the son, John R. died in 1942. 
Perhaps my mother-in-law was just indicating by her written words that the book had originally belonged to this family, not that they, themselves, sold it to her. 

 

 

Delph Reunion 1940

Findlay Republican Courier
August 28, 1940, page 11

"Delph - Weaver Family

Philip Delph and Caleb Weaver, whose children intermarried, gave this reunion association its name.  The attendance at the annual reunion held at Riverside park Sunday numbered 75.  Delph lived in Henry County and Weaver had his home in Wyandot County.  Cecil Delph, of Portage Center, was chosen president of the reunion association for the next reunion which will take place at Riverside park next August.

Other officers elected were Vice-president, George Delph; Secretary, Mrs. George Kahley of Crestline; Treasurer, John Weaver.  

The oldest member of this family is 'Grandma Delph' whose home is at Malinta. She is 91 and able to do her own housework.  The youngest member is Gerald Cyrus Hadsell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Leir Hadsell." 

Dekalb County School Photo 1941-1942

My husband's mother was a teacher in many smaller Dekalb County one room schools and for awhile at Spencerville Elementary.  She often had more than one grade in her class.
 I think this photo is from Spencerville Elementary, grades 3 and 4.  She has the students labeled on the back of the photo with their grade:

Back row, l to r - James Shilling 3, Richard Meek 3, Paul Tustison 3, Alfred Paschen 3, Jack Hollabaugh 3, Buddy Vendrely 3, James Dwyer 4, Gene Mann 4, DuWayne Richmond 4, Kenneth Rudolph 4, Jerry Buman 4.

Middle row, l to r - Norman Griffin 3, Clare Ayers 4, Joy Beerbower 4, Beverly Laux 3, Bonnie Witt 3, Nancy Tustison 3, Ellen Mae Knop 4, Paula Harts 4, Geraldine Shull 4, Gene Dwyer 3.

Front row - Peggy Smith 3, Adah Ruth Gerig 4, Shirley Crothers 3, Mabel Schaftner 3, Patsy Angel 4, Eloise Timmerman 3, Glennis Pierman 3, Joyce Baker 3.
Teacher - Violette Kline
Students not pictured: Jack Mann 4, Marlene Cook 4, Joan Cook 3

Book Review - The Spark by Kristine Barnett

The Spark

A Mother’s Story of Nurturing Genius

by Kristine Barnett

As a parent and a teacher, I found so much to learn in this book, as I traveled with Kristine on her quest to find the right educational path for her first-born son, Jake.  As a baby, everything was normal with Jake and then, all of sudden, he seemed to pull away from everyone.  No hugs, no eye contact, no communication.  At the age of 3, Jake was in his own world, the world of autism.  After a myriad of attempts to find helpful therapists and programs, Kristine decided to take things into her own hands to prepare her son for mainstream kindergarten.  She didn’t want the special education label or the IEP.

Kristine also ran a daycare and as time went on, she began to dedicate her evening hours to programs for other autistic children in the area, with the goal of preparing them for kindergarten entrance, too.  Her mantra became to find what each child was best at or had a passion for and then nurture that.  Jake, as it turned out, was a mathematical and scientific genius, but as a child, his obsession for numbers and patterns, for example, was dismissed until one day Kristine connected it with his ability to see numerical relationships far above what would be age appropriate.

Kristine and her husband had some very hard times financially, but their ingenuity in getting materials needed for her program was amazing.  Kristine, especially, became an advocate at school not just for Jake, but for other autistic children she had in her preschool program.  What a risk it was to move Jake to classrooms far above his age group, but much more in tune with his abilities.  How many three year olds would enjoy lectures in astronomy and actually be able to process the information given?  Jake, as a young elementary student, was in his glory in college classes in math and science, and he spent some of his time tutoring college students and testing new scientific -mathematical theories.

I enjoyed this book immensely and I think any parent of any child will learn from Kristine’s journey. This is not just a book for parents of gifted children or autistic children!  As parents, we all need to nurture the gifts inherent in our children.  Who knows where that can lead?