This four generation photo was taken probably by chief family photographer John Ensman in early 1964. Shown are (seated L. to R.) Mayme Heydinger, Hebert, Erma and Herman with Kurt and Jeff seated beside Grandma Erma. Rear are Edwin, Thomas, Gerard Heydinger and their sister, Carol Ensman, holding infant Kenneth.

 

The Herbert Heydinger Intimate Photos

The Herbert Heydinger farm was purchased from Herbert's father, August, in 1948-49 when Gus retired and moved into New Washington. Prior to August's ownership, the farm belonged to Gus's in-laws, the Wechters. The farm consisted of a total of 150+ acres on both sides of the road. In addition to this farm, Herbert also farmed land north and east on Kenestrick Road, a total there of 80 more acres.

The Wechter family home prior to 1916. Grandmother Amelia Fisher Wechter is shown with her son Linus in front of the locust tree that stood beside the home. Linus never married and worked in Norwalk at the Stewarts Furniture Factory. Next is Charles Wechter, a railroader who lived in Delphos, then Nellie (Patronella Alt) and Gertie (Gertrude Young) In this view the house has not yet had the porch added to the front, nor has the roof on the east facing gable been raised to the level of the front gable.

 

Wedding Day? Herbert and Erma seem to be the decorated guests of honor here, posing with the other two married children of August and Mayme. Posing are (L. to R) Herbert and Erma, Eleanor and Sylvester, Geneva and Louis Kehres, and Mayme and Gus Heydinger.

Ever wonder why Herbert was called Whitey? This early picture, taken about 1913, shows Mayme and Gus with their four oldest children. Left to right are Geneva, Mayme holding possibly Lucille, yep, little Whitey in the pure blond hair, and Gus holding up Sylvester.

 
 

Herbert and Erma's children assume the pose as thousands of other families had at the old Pennington Studio in New Washington. Here we see Tom, Carol, and Edwin standing, with Gerard seated and the baby, Herman, at about a year.

Years have passed and the family grows, some even marrying now.Tom and Herman sit with Herbert and Erma. In the rear stand Edwin and Carrol, Cha Cha and Gerry, and Carol and John Ensman..

 

Herbert always was a fun-loving guy growing up. Here he and many of his cousins are seen at an outing. Looks like down by the Honey Creek where the old chestnut tree was felled when it died. Whitey is seen second from the left with his arm around his best buddy. Notice the gal in the log. Don't know what the name of that game was! in the front row on the right appear to be Leo and Ralph. Walter may be in the center of the picture next to the gal in the log. In the midst the girls could be Alfred. The girl with glasses in the center could be Gertrude, Meg’s oldest daughter. Could use some more help on identifying all these rowdies. Let us know if you see your mom or dad or granddad

.

Hunter-gatherers return from the "Great Turtle Hunt" down in the muck land on the southwest edge of the Celeryville area. Seems that summer the swamp was rather dry, and the boys took advantage. Herbert poses here with their catch along with Roman and Bob Karl, Paul Studer, and Herbert's brother Raymond (Bunks).