Minster Historical Society

11/01/2026

50 YEARS Ago
Oct 28, 1976

Open House at the Hogenkamp Condominiums, located at 38 – 50 S. Frankfort St., Minster will be held Sunday Oct 31, from 1 to 4 p.m. There are seven units, each consisting of a two bedroom townhouse.

The lightweight structural building sections, as yet unnamed, are being manufactured under license solely by G & W Tool & Die in Ft. Loramie. In the automated process, coil steel is welded into a 6-inch and 8-inch-deep honeycomb sections. This material is produced to order in lengths up to 60 feet on machinery that turns out 30 feet of material a minute.

Vases of red and white mums adorned the alter of st. Remy Catholic Church, Russia as Terri Peltier and Roger Bey exchanged marriage vows. Parents of the bride are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Peltier, Russia. The bridegroom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Harlod Bey, Versailles.

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Ranly, Minster, are proud to announce the arrival of their first child, a seven pound daughter, Jaime, born at JTDM. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. George Wyen and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Ranly.

A new chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will be charted within the next month in Minster, Ohio. This chapter will consist of members from Minster, Ft. Loramie, New Bremen, Jackson Center, Anna, Ft. Recovery and Sidney.

The Minster volleyball team won their 11th consecutive match at Coldwater after a nervous beginning. Both teams were undefeated in the MAC.

10/31/2026

75 YEARS Ago
Oct 26, 1951

Minster Firm Starts Construction of Plant Addition – Seeking to maintain its policy of offering newspapers and printing services from a production standpoint, at the lowest possible cost consistently with quality, the Post Printing company has started construction of a new one-story building as an addition to its present plant. The new structure being built immediately west of the present building.

New Directories Delivered to Phone Patron in Area – Total of 5,852 subscribers are listed for 12 exchanges – increase of 200 is reported. The new Celina district telephone directory was delivered this week to 5,852 subscribers in Minster and nearby communities.

Halloween Dance is set by Boy Scouts – A Boy Scout Halloween dance for all youngsters of Minster and community will be held at the Wonder Bar. Every community boy and girl, youngest to the oldest, is invited.

Minster Wildcats Swamp Maria Stein Blu-Jays 31-0. Local High School gridders treat homecoming fans to display of power. Minster scored the first time the Wildcats got their hands on the ball on a 65-yard march climaxed when Doc Hogenkamp crashed over tackle from the five yards for the score.

Last Wednesday four local students were sent to Cincinnati as delegates to the convention being held there during National CYO week. Mary Froning, Nancy Herkenhoff, Don Frericks and Phil Wetzel went to the convention. They were there two days, although the meeting lasted longer.

Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Doenges are parents of an eight pound eight ounce daughter, Ellen, born at Our Lady of Mercy Hospital, Coldwater.

10/30/2026

100 YEARS Ago
Oct 29, 1926

Returned the Cash – Mr. John Fortman, whose pumpkin weighed the heaviest of any of the specimens that were entered at the recent corn and pumpkin show in Minster, accepted the honor with pride, but he refused to accept the cash that was offered. He very graciously contributed it to the American Legion’s treasury.

Gen. Joseph B. Dickman, of Washington D.C. is among the 58 Auglaize county voters who will not be in the county on November 2, who made application for abscent Voters ballots. During the many years General Dickman was in the United States Army he has retained Auglaize county as his legal residence. General Dickman is a brother-in-law of Judge C.A. Stueve, candidate for Common pleas judge. (Joseph Dickman was a resident of Minster from the age of 4 to 15, his father was elected sheriff)(Read his story at the museum)

Mr. John Herkenhoff of Dayton visited here from Sunday afternoon to Monday. He came from St. Henry where he had gone from Dayton with the Dayton University band of which he is a member and played at the Holy Name Rally.

The J.J. Dues Machine company shipped a car load of their Husker-Shredders over the Nickel plate railroad to different points over the country, The products of this commpany’s plant are increasing in popularity and are they ship out machines regularly by rail while agents in neighboring territories deliver them by truck.

The business of the F. Morsey & Sons at Minster has been on the upgrade gradually during the past several years until they have found it necessary to build an addition to their plant on east Fourth street.

10/29/2026

50 YEARS Ago
Oct 21, 1976

James A. Eiting, President of IE Industries, was named “Manager of the Year” of the Western Ohio Chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Management (SAM), at its September meeting. Each year, the Chapter through the “Manager of the Year Award” recognizes a manager in its geographical area who has shown special or outstanding achievements.

Ron Voisard would like to announce that he is the new owner of the Crystal Ballroom, Versailles. Ron’s ambition is to bring back the nostalgia of many years ago and to start with, he is featuring the ever-popular Guy Lombardo.
Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadian Band will be appearing at Crystal Ballroom, Nov 5. It has been nine years since the fabulous Guy Lombardo band has been here.

Auglaize County Sheriff James Knoch announced today that Urban Kramer of Minster has been appointed as a deputy. Kramer has served twenty years on the Auglaize Sheriff’s Auxiliary before joining the department as a regular deputy.

10/28/2026

75 YEARS Ago
Oct 19, 1951

St. John School Pupils Pick Staff of “Starlighter” – Students Publish First Issue – Eileen Felts is editor-in-chief of the new St. John high school paper, “Starlighter”, first issue of which made its appearance Oct 10. Virginia Bruggemann is associate editor and Elsie Mescher, managing editor. Sister Mary Paulissa serves as advisor to the staff.

Ansonia Latest Victim of Wildcats, 39 – 6 – Minster high school’s Wildcats plunged, ran the ends, passed and intercepted to hand hapless Ansonia a 39-6 setback in a Tri-County league gridiron contest. Dale Miller ran 21 yards for the first tally in the initial quarter, and Rolly Bernhold passed to Bob Tebbs for the extra point.

The high alter of Holy Rosery church at St. Marys provides background for the double-ring marriage ceremony uniting Jeanette Boehmer , daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Boehner of St. Marys, and Paul Borges, son of Mrs. Frank Borges and the late Mr. Borges of Maria Stein.

Michael Schwartz, son of Ray Schwartz and Alvira Stucke was baptized. Sponsors were Norbert and Regina Schwartz.

Annual Masquerade Dance at the Wonder Bar Sunday. Prizes for best dressed, funniest and most novel. Round and square dancing. Sponsored by K of C Athletic Asson.

M.C. Bernhold spent sometime in Cincinnati recently in the interest of the Minster Motor Sales, and attended the annual meeting of Oldsmobile dealers of the Cincinnati area.

10/28/2026

100 YEARS Ago
Oct 22, 1926

The stores in Minster will be open every night during the corn and pumpkin show, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The folks in the Schmuecker Clothing company’s store are having a bit of fun of their own while the corn and pumpkin show is on this week. They are giving everyone a chance to make a guess on the weight of a Jumbo pumpkin and the guesser who comes closest to the mark will get a worth while award.

High School Notes – The ball game between New Bremen High and Minster High ended in a victory for our team; the score being three to two. Our principal has organized a School orchestra. They will start to practice in the near future. The magazine campaign has just ended. The reports are very good. The money received will be added to the orchestra fund.

On all purchases for Thursday, Friday and Saturday, we will give free tickets giving you a chance on $200 in gold given away Saturday night. Schunck’s Jewelry Store.

Notice to the Public – Notice is hereby given that the clay on the village’s vacant lot at the intersection on Fourth and Hanover streets must not be disturbed or hauled away. By order of the council. A.W. Herkenhoff, Mayor

10/26/2026

Night at the Museum with Tom Wyen

Step back in time and celebrate the magic of Christmas with Minster native Tom Wyen, who began playing Santa in 1961!

Join us for a special “Night at the Museum” as Tom shares heartwarming stories of Christmases past and memorable experiences from his many years as Santa.

Bring your family and friends for an evening filled with local history, holiday memories, and plenty of Christmas cheer!

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026
Time: 6:30 pm
Location: Minster Historical Society Museum, 112 W. Fourth St., Minster, OH 45865

Save the date, spread the cheer, and tag someone who would love this magical Minster Christmas event!

09/09/2026

Stop at the museum tonight to get your Minster flag and new pins!! We’ll be there from 5-7!

Be sure to check out the Oktoberfest display!

09/02/2026