Dr. Bartel H. Reinheimer, Episcopal Bishop

 

Sandusky High School graduation photo

Born in Sandusky in 1889, Bartel H. Reinheimer was the son of Alfred and Beatrice Reinheimer. Alfred was the son of German immigrants, and made his living by manufacturing cigars.

 

Sandusky High School Class of 1907

In his youth, Reinheimer spelled his first name Bartelle. He graduated from Sandusky High School in 1907, where he served as editor in chief of the Fram in his senior year. The verse below lists his many high school activities:

 

“Here is Reinheimer – sure you know him! Twice “of course,”

You’ve heard “rooters” yell for him ‘till they were hoarse?

A “star” in athletics, a Scrooge in the play,

Brimful of school spirit-whatever you say.

A strong voice the chorus, now head of the Fram,

He’s able to play either lion or lamb.

Though now he is aiming to be a school teacher,

Some day our Bartele may become a great preacher

Then we to his parish will speedily go

To hear and rejoice with an “I told you so!”

Bartel Reinheimer graduated from Kenyon College in 1911, and Bexley Hall Divinity School in 1914. He indeed did become a minister, serving churches in Shelby and Dayton, Ohio, before being appointed as the executive secretary of the General Episcopalian Council in New York City. Rev. Reinheimer served as Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester from 1938 through 1949. When he was consecrated as Bishop, the services were broadcast by WTAM Radio of Cleveland, Ohio. He also was a trustee of the University of Rochester, and had been a chancellor of Hobart College. He died in Rochester, New York in 1949, shortly after he retired his duties as Bishop.

While a student at Sandusky High School, he was a member of the football team, shown here in 1906. 

Letters to Santa Claus

In the early twentieth century, both of Sandusky's major newspapers (the Register and the Star-Journal) published children's letters to Santa Claus during December. It might be interesting to note the differences between what children asked for then and what they do now.

Based on the small sample of letters reviewed, in newspapers published between 1912 and 1920, among the most popular gifts children asked for were dolls, bicycles, oranges, candy and nuts. Few brand names were mentioned by the letter-writers. It might be a little different today. Most letters were concise requests for presents, but some included brief descriptions of family members and requests on behalf of others. For example, in 1912, Ottomer Schiefly told Santa "Don't forget my little brother as he would like a few things." Miriam Edith Reinheimer, in 1920, spent a significant portion of her letter asking for gifts for others:

"Dear Santa:

If you please Sir I wish mother a box of candy, Papa a shirt, John a neck tie, Jean a doll, Ruth a box of writing paper and please bring me a big doll with real hair, a stove which I can cook on, a ring; my neckless [sic] fixed, and if you please sir I would like a new dress and a ribbon to match it, a kimona [sic].

If you bring me all that I will thank you ever so much. From Miriam Edith Reinheimer.

Please remember my school mates and teacher."

Some letters suggest the hardships children endured -- Margaret Lody Slegman, from Huron, wrote (in 1912): "My papa and aunt and uncle is all right. My mamma is dead and I stay with my auntie." Mary Hanick from Kelleys Island reminded Santa (in 1920), "There is a lot of us in a family. We are poor." Several children -- including Norma Yager from Oak Harbor (1916), Thomas Krafty from Venice (1912), and Geneva Pigersch (1916) -- reminded Santa, "don't forget the poor children."

One letter, published in 1912, was written in German. The letter is the first in the image below. I don't know German, but I think Agnes Patz wanted a doll and a buggie, and she was a good girl.

Microfilm copies of the Sandusky Register and the Star-Journal are available in the Archives Research Center, in the lower level of the library.