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Pix #1 - Mr. and Mrs. Carl and Donna Bormuth

(Author's note: From time to time Potluck has authored articles about Fostorians who grew up here, and made contributions in the careers which they selected for their lifework.  It is a great pleasure to present today's article about Carl Bormuth, whom I have known intimately for many, many years.  This article is
really the story of his life up to the present, as told to me in response to my letter
coming from the Bormuth's farm home near Wyandot.)

Born and reared in Fostoria, Carl W. Bormuth was born January 22, 1907 in Fostoria, son of Frank T. and Minnie S. Osterwalder Bormuth. Attended grade school, junior high and high school, graduating with the class of 1926.  A member of the FHS band.

Was confirmed in First Reformed Church (now Grace United Church of Christ.)

From 1926 to 1928, he worked in the shipping-room office at the National Carbon Company.  From 1928 to 1930, he worked at Fred Stahl's Super-Market. Was a charter member of the YMCA Pontiac Club.

College at Tiffin, Hartford, Conn.

Entering Heidelberg College of Tiffin, in 1920, graduating with
A.B. Degree in June of 1934.  While at Heidelberg he was a member of the Ministerial Association; Gospel Team; Aptonalton Literary Society, Y.M.C.A. Cabinet; Dorm Association; Band and Orchestra; Glee Club and sang in the Messiah.  Served as Chaplain at Wainwright Band Camp, Lagrange, Ind., 1934.

Fall of 1934, entered Hartford Theological Seminary, Hartford, Conn., graduation May 25, 1938 with a Bachelor of Divinity Degree.

While in seminary, sang in the Glee Club and served internship: serving
as an assistant at Center congregational Church, Hartford from Sept. 1934 to Jan. 1035, as student assistant pastor at North Methodist Church, Hartford, from Jan. 1935 to May 1937; as pastor of Community congregational Church.  Leeds North Dakota from June to Sept. 1037; as pastor of the First Baptist Church, New Britain, Conn. from Sept 1937 to May 1938.

Ordained minister October 16, 1938

Bormuth began his ministry at St. Jacob's Reformed Church, Lisbon, Ohio, Sept. 1, 1938 and was "ordained to the work of the Christian Ministry by the Reformed Church in the United States" on October 16, 1938 and served St. Jacob's congregation until March 1, 1947.

During those years, he also served on the Rural Church committee of the Southeast Ohio Synod; Temple of Good Will Committee of the Ohio council of Churches; taught at Junior High Summer Bible Camps every summer for the Ohio Synod; served as 4-H leader.  Was a member of the Kiwanis Club.

June 9, 1940 married Donna E. Checkler in her home Church at Wyandot.

Pastor 8 years in Louisville, Ohio church

Accepted a call to Paradise Evangelical and Reformed Church, Louisville, Ohio, and began ministry March 1, 1947, serving there until May 1955.

During those years, also served on the East Ohio Synod Evangelism, Higher Education and Camp committee.  Also directed a Junior High Bible Camp for a week each summer, for the Ohio synod, at Camp Wanake, Beach City, Ohio. 
Was a member of the Rotary club and served as president for one year.  Was elected a member of Masonic Lodge and member of the Church Consistory made up the initiation team and was raised by his brother, Francis Bormuth.

Ministered at Oak Harbor for 18 Years

Bormuth accepted a call to St. Paul's United Church of Christ, Oak Harbor and
began his ministry there May 20, 1955, serving that congregation until January 1, 1973.   During those years a Christian Education building was built; the church was redecorated and land was secured for recreation and a parking lot.  At that time he also served on the Ohio conference High Education commission, Research and Planning commission, and two summers as director of the Sr. High camp at Templed Hills camp, Bellville; was a member of the Rotary Club and served on year as president.  Upon retirement was elected Pastor Emeritus of St. Paul's' Church; also made an Honorary member of the Oak Harbor
Rotary Club.

Greatest joy: Results of labors

During Bormuth's ministry, eleven boys entered the ministry from the congregations served; four from Lisbon, four from Louisville and three from Oak Harbor.

Upon retirement, the Bormuths moved to the farm near Wyandot, former home of his wife, Donna.  Since retirement, he has served interim pastorates at Hope United church of Christ, Sulphur Springs; Emanuel United Church of Christ, green Camp; Zion United Church of Christ, Prospect,; and Emanuel United Church of Christ, Upper Sandusky, where we was elected Honorary Pastor in 1981 and still serves part time.

The Bormuths enjoy gardening, taking care of the lawn and 22 fruit trees in
season.

(Author's note: In Bormuth's letter to me he remarked, "It was good to hear from
you.  Your letter brings back many pleasant memories of Fostoria, the Pontiac Club, and the time the group of us traveled to Columbus and were inspired to start the club.")

Reader Feedback Glaring error in YMCA article

Everywhere I went after last week's article about the YMCA and Pontiac club was published, readers informed me that John Hollenbaugh, a member of the Pontiac Club, whose name and face appeared in the article, was deceased.

I apologize for the error.  I can not recall seeing his obituary in The Review Times. My regrets especially to his wife, still living, and to daughter Patti Danner, Perry St.

John and I were friends from boyhood through high school and the many years after that when he married and raised his family in Fostoria.

Heed God's Word Prayer Focus

The following items are excerpts from Intercessors For America, published monthly.  Every readers of this column should be receiving it.  There is no subscription price, just a contribution. 
Write for sample copy to I.F.P.O.  Box 2639, Reston, Va. 22090

   National  Repentance 

Offer thanksgiving for the continuing mercy and grace being shown to us.   continue in intercession that the Holy Spirit work conviction of sin, "godly sorrow' and obedience into all believers.  Pray specifically for a restoration of the ten Commandments as our national standard, for godly leadership and for a fulfillment of America's role in the world wide propagation of the gospel 

   Presidential Candidates

God's moral spotlight continues to be not only on the church but on the turbulent political arena as well.  Since only righteousness exalts a nation (Proverbs
14:34), candidates for high office cannot ignore the morality of their pirate conduct.   continue to intercede for an exposure of corruption, that God reveal His choice for our next President and that this man now finds favor with the American Public.

   Christian Education

Offer thanksgiving for the continuing establishment of Christian schools, the
revival and legal sanction of home- schooling and for the multitudes of young people who are receiving quality, moral educations.  Intercede for all Christian teachers and administrators, including those serving in public schools.  Pray that Christian colleges be revived, prospered and restored to moral and academic excellence.

   NASA and Aviation Industries

Offer thanksgiving for the renewed concern for air safety and for the wisdom
and prudence being granted to NASA engineers. Intercede that the Lord remove all corrupt, seditious and incompetent personnel from the aviation industry, NASA and related industries.  In the name of Jesus Christ continue to
break curses and bind demonic assaults which Satanic networks and convenes have conjured to destroy the U.S. space program, air travel and domestic tranquillity.

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PIX #1 - The various glass items shown in this photo are the property of Fostoria, Rodger Bartley, a member of the Findlay Antique Bottle Club. The items are just a few of the large collection he has "dug" in the relatively short time he has been involved in the hobby. 

Item Identification are: No. 1-Aunt Jemima bank; No. 2-Union Fruit jar; No. 3 Ohio Pottery jug; No. 4-Paige Dairy, Toledo, milk bottle; No. 5-Frank Miller crown fressing container; No. 6-Davis container for pain killer; No. 7-Blue soda bottle, City Bottling Works, Toledo; No. 8-Blue glass soda bottle, Jacob Voekler & Co., Cleveland; No. 9-Amber Coca Cola bottle, Dayton; No. 10-Clear soda bottle, Wagner Bros., Tiffin; No. 11-Soda Bottle, Fostoria Bottling Works, Fostoria; No. 12-Soda bottle, Star Bottling Works, Toledo; No. 13- Clear soda bottle, Wagner Bros., Tiffin; No. 14 & 15-Cobalt blue medicine bottle; No. 16-Eshelman & Harbaugh Col., Fostoria, Bromo Seltzer bottle; No. 17-Bromo Seltzer bottle; No. 18-John Weith & Bros.; No. 19-Noxzema bottle. 

All the history of the past isn't contained in history books. Some readers may say, "How can that be? Today's article will answer the question! 

There are many family histories which never get into public print. Many family histories are hand-written or typed and copied, and circulated in the family. 

There are antique cars, toys, horse drawn buggies, furniture, books, and much more that only some to public attention in museums or perhaps when they are placed on sale. 

Another catagory of history is made up of the variety of bottles, jars, wine sets, decanters, pill cans, ink stands, insulators, flasks, lightning rods, target balls, fire extinguishers, and many other items - all made of glass - which today are matters of history. 

Thousands upon thousands of those historical items have found their way to "dumping-areas" all over America, including Fostoria. Many of those areas have been covered over more than once, and "diggers" may dig 3-4 feet to find the valuable relics of the past. 

MOLDED GLASS ITEMS REPRESENT HISTORY 

The hobby of collecting glass items has intrigued those who are interested in history, especially bottles used for medicine, milk, and drinks. Every year, according to the "Whittle Marks", published by the Findlay Antique Bottle Club, hundreds of previously unknown bottles and jars are discovered. 

Finding unknown milk bottles, for example, are proof of a dairy long forgotten. 

Example: In Fostoria, there were once 19 dairies: E.W. Kipka Dillon Dairy, Co-op Milk Assn., Linwood Dairy-O, E. Kipka, Fox Dairy, Zeigler Bros. Dairy, Holman's Dairy, Weavers Dairy, Ohio Farmers, Sen-Wood Dairy, Babcock Dairy, Welly Dairy, C.H. Shoemaker, Sah's Dairy, G.H. Russell, O.D. Wells, Ward Dairy, K.K.C. 

MEDICINE BOTTLES GREAT COLLECTABLE 

Medicine and drug bottles are glass items used extensively many years ago. Here in Fostoria there were many drug stores that filled prescriptions in glass which contained the druggists name molded into the bottle. Also, some doctors used bottles with their name molded into the glass. Some well-known medicine manufacturers put their products in glass that contained their name and/pr product name molded into the glass. 

All of the above named products will be remembered by the older readers of this column. 

Fostoria had doctors practicing here many years ago, and some of them had their own bottles. What a thrill for "diggers" to turn up one or more of them indentifying a local doctor. Doctors the author recalls are: Hale, Henry, Rosendale, Miller, Teycraft, Norris, Hatfield, Palmer, Leonard. 

OLD BOTTLES CAN DECORATE HOMES 

Some people collect bottles for decoration. Because of the varity of color, shape and size, bottles can flatter most any area. Medicine and druggist bottles add an interesting an unusual look to the bathroom. Perfumed on the dresser and flasks in the den or living room add class and character to any decor. Canning jars, make excellent air-tight moisture-proof canister set. And a colorful bottle will transform any sunny window into an extraordinary showplace. 

Still others collect bottles for the investment potential. Rare old bottles, like other fine quality antiques, seldom go down in value. Some collections have been sold at a substantial profit. 

INTERESTING AND PROFITABLE HOBBY 

Perusing "Whittle Marks" the Findlay Club's official publication, and talking with Rodger Bartley, a new member, and avid "Digger" this is the type of hobby that some readers will want to investigate. 

Readers that can visualize digging 2, 3, or 4 feet in the ground and finding a glass item that may be worth $10, $20, $30 or much more should be interested, I am told, reliably, collectors have made thousands of dollars when they have disposed of their collections. 

TO GET STARTED JOIN FINDLAY CLUB 

Findlay Antique Bottle Club, founded in 1976 with only five members, has grown to include 23 families from all over northwestern Ohio. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in old bottles, hars, insulators, or related items. 

Anyone wishing information about the club may write: Findlay A.B.C., P.O. Box 1329, Findlay Ohio 45839, or contact one of the Fostoria members: Richard Coppler, Jack Burris, Howard waltermeyer, Mike Bauer, Rodger Bartley. 

ACTIVITIES FOR WHOLE FAMILY 

In addition to the regular monthly meeting, the club stages an annual show, sale and picnic each summer. At that time, they have a swap session, games for the kids, bingo and bottle drawing. 

they have also had "club digs" which have proved to be lots of fun. At their well-attended Christmas party, many nice bottles are always included in the gift exchange. 

LOW COSTS GAS BUILT ARE GLASS PLANTS 

Only older readers will recall it was plentiful, low-cost, natural gas in this area that resulted in the establishment of many glass factories, where items produced then could possible by found by "diggers" today. 

The only illustration (excerpted from "Whittle Marks") shows the Karg Gas Well, Findlay. It is documented in history that in the gas-boom-days, test wells in the Findlay territory once produced 60,000,000 cubic feet of gas per day. That amount was said sufficient to supply a city double the size of Chicago every day. 

In Fostoria's early days the plentiful supply of gas permitted the business district to be lighted by gas which burned continually night and day. That's the way George M. Gray, the founder of Gray Printing Co., recalled it when he first visited Fostoria to establish his printing plant 100 years ago. 

BOTTLE SHOW SUNDAY 

The annuals bottle show will be in Columbus Sunday at the Fairgrounds. It provides an opportunity for anyone who may be interested in exploring what membership in The Antique Bottle Club is all about. 

It is an all-day show, starting at 9 a.m. There is a nominal admittance fee. 

Directions are: U.S. 23 to Interstate 270, then east to I-71, continuing on I-70 to Fairgrounds. 

There will be club members "Diggers" collectors from all over the area in attendance.