Retired French professor speaks to historical society
February 25, 2010
1303
Twenty-six members and 21 guests enjoyed hearing David Wilkin, retired French professor of Wooster College, tell how the Mt. Eaton Paint Township area was settled by French-speaking Swiss many years ago. They were French-speaking Calvinists from western Switzerland, many from Moutier and Tavannes who came to this region, Wilkin said. Also arriving were the French-speaking Catholics at Calmoutier.
These European groups immigrated because of poor crops in Europe, cheap land in colonies, letters from relatives and friends who were already in United States, plus those desiring freedom of religion.
The Schaffters were from Moutier. Mennonites settled north of Smithville and Catholics settled around Calmoutier. For example Florian Schaffter was county recorder according to a register. French was the common tongue among both these Calvinists and the Catholics at Calmoutier. The churches preached in French until the late 1870s and both religions supported each other in civic activities.
In l870, at least 25 percent of the people were French-speaking. Many of these French-speaking people fought and died in the Civil War. By the third or fourth generation the language changed from French to English after much inter-marriage through the years.
Wilkin shared about the slow transportation when David Houmard came in 1825. He traveled mostly by boat. When Jean-Louis Amiet came in 1858, he used mostly the railroad. Professor Wilkin owns a French Bible printed in Berne in 1731. Clayton Hewitt told of a relative calling from Finland about the Grossjean tombstone of a tree and basket of flowers. This was a 21-year-old girl who was lost and died under a tree in the woods. Other audience members shared their early family stories.
Former pastor of the St. Pauls UCC, Rev. Mark Steiner offered the invocation. President of the Mt. Eaton Paint Township Historical Society, Robert Masters, thanked the board and others who had helped the society during 2009. Elton Lehman gave a summary of activities last year. Jeff Maximovich showed pictures of the Ohio and Erie Canal at the annual January banquet; the society now has 65 members - four life members were gained in 2009. Those interviewed last year were Violet Snyder, Hazel Thomas, and Albert Spector. In May, Christopher Craft told about the many Civil War heros from this area.
On Mt. Eaton days last year, 1,000 quarters of chicken were served. In October, 48 individuals took a bus trip to Columbus. Waid Spidell has recorded and taken pictures of the present acquisitions. Elton Lehman reported that 70 people visited the historical society room last year. A 10-by-20 foot tent was purchase to be used at the Mt. Eaton Festival. Board members voted in were Phyllis Lehman, Robert Masters, and Jim Matter. The next meeting will be held April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the village hall.
