The Swiss Family Holliker: Johannes – Certificate of Baptism

Posted on 09/10/2012 by Bobo

I suppose I my first clue as to the origin of our family came from a copy of Johannes (John) Holliger’s Certificate of Baptism.  (My cousin Neil Holliker, has the original).

This is a fascinating document that has survived.  The first thing that I noticed are the ‘folds.’  You can see how Johannes folded it to fit in his pocket.

The certificate is dated 23 April 1833.  This was a little ‘perplexing’ to me at first.  Why was Johannes’ Certificate of Baptism dated April 1933 when he was born in 1803?  For many years this bothered me.  Then I learned why.

The church of Rein was a “Reformed” church.  I once asked Max (Baumann), “Reformed from what,” and he just looked at me.  I then dropped it.

Max went on to explain.  In those days, the church pastor was more than likely the most educated man of the community.  And as such, one of his duties was to record church and village activities.  This was often done on Sunday afternoon and evenings.  Significant events – births, deaths, weddings, etc. – we recorded in ledgers (registers) that in turn, were kept in the local churches.  For the most part, those registers still remain in the local churches of Switzerland.  Copies exist in the archives.

Baptisms were by tradition, were held the first Sunday following the birth of a child.  This was because of the high mortality rate of kids in those days.  On the above document, Johannes’ baptism is recorded as “The 17th of a ‘Winter month’ 1803.”  In German, the Winter months are November, December or January.  So… I looked up the 27th of December 1803 to begin with.  That day is a Tuesday.  The 27th of January 1803 is a Thursday.  And, the 27th of November 1803 is in fact, a Sunday.  Therefore I concluded that Johannes was born the week proceeding 27 November 1803 – and this creates a problem.

On his tombstone his death is recorded as 30 December 1881. You can then see he lived 78 years, 4 days. Crap!

I am more inclined to believe Johannes was born in November…

The other things I pulled from this document were the names of his parents:
Father:  Johannes Holliger of Rein, Switzerland
Mother:  Maria Hirt of Lauffohr, Switzerland

His God Parents are also listed on the certificate.

I still couldn’t grasp the disparity of the dates on the certificate: Winter Month of 1803, and 23 April 1833.  Then, as I talked with Max, it became apparent to me.  Until Johannes decided to leave, he would have had no need of his Certificate of Baptism!  These certificates, in those days, served not only as “Birth Certificates,” but also as Passports.  And he would have had no need of such until he was about ready to leave Switzerland.

So, I imagine Johannes departed Rein in the Spring of 1833.

Tagged | 2 Comments

The Swiss Family Holliker: Introduction

Posted on 07/10/2012 by Bobo

I have always held an interest in my family of origin; the Swiss Family Holliker.  The original spelling of the name was ‘Holliger.’  Johannes Holliger came to America in 1833, and this is where this story will begin – with Johannes.

In 2006 I wrote a book, “Grampa, Where Did We Come From.”  I wrote it to explain our heritage to my grand daughters, and will pull a great deal from it as I develop this thread.  Since 2006 I have learned a little more that lends to the story, and really should be included.

Our story is not ‘extraordinary’ from the standpoint of great accomplishments of the Swiss Family Holliker; but from the simple fact that is is a story of the American Dream.  Johannes came to America with virtually nothing – and built a life for himself and his family with just the opportunity offered by our nation.  No expectations – just opportunity.  

How any times have we asked ourselves, “I wonder why I didn’t ask Mom or Dad, about this or that, while they were alive?”  I have, on many occasions.  And then there are ‘those boxes;’ those boxes of old pictures, letters and documents our parents and grandparents saved for whatever reason.  Things that make no sense at all to us today.  I have some of those boxes, and for the most part, I know a great deal about everything in them.  However, there are still a few “holes,” but I am working on them.

My work on my family began when I was a kid.  My grandparents’ house had 3 wonderful attics with all sorts of ‘treasures.’  At some time or another I found a copy of a family history, “Family History of John Holliker and Eva Cripplever Holliker.”   This is often referred to as “the Green Book.”

As we see, it was printed in 1959.  (My grandmother’s, Vilena’s, handwriting).

When I got serious with my family history, this is the document I began with.  From it I discovered ‘John Holliker’ and the search began.

Once I began looking I found many documents and pictures relating to the Hollikers.  I also made note of the stories I’ve heard over the years, about various Hollikers.

In 1999 I decided to travel to Switzerland to see what else I might discover about our ‘roots.’  I asked Bud Bauman if he might be interested in going with me.  Bud is also of Swiss origin, and has an interest in genealogy.

As it turns out, Bud knew a man, Dr. Max Baumann, he had met some 10 years before – maybe around 1989 or so.  Max has done a fair amount of work researching Swiss immigrants.  He was in Sandusky, OH doing research on the Swiss family “Hirt.”  Someone who knew of Max’s work, also knew Bud.  It was thought that Bud and Max might be related.  So Bud met Max, only to discover they weren’t related after all.  However, Bud maintained contact with him, and when we decided to go to Switzerland, got in touch with him.  As it has turned out, Max has become so instrumental in my quest to discover my family – and I am so grateful for meeting him.

And so, the story begins… The conclusions herein are mine, as well as any errors.  I will correct any errors as they may come to light, and a gun is held to my head!  Enjoy…

Posted in Family | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Bob the Builder” Ain’t Norm!

Posted on 06/10/2012 by Bobo

Caution
(Very Adult Language)

I was talking with my friend Harry the other day about woodworking.  Harry is a master carpenter.  Anyway the conversation soon got to those TV shows about woodworking – you know, the ones where everything always goes together as planned, all the time.  I don’t know how they do it.  I have been woodworking for many years now, and I still don’t know how they do it.  Just once I would like to see Bob Vila, or Norm Abram, or who-ever, encounter a small little problem that soon manifests itself into a “show stopper” that just pisses them off!  This is woodworking; not the crap we constantly see on TV where everything  always fits,  and everything always goes together – the first time!  That shit just doesn’t happen!

I would love to see just one episode where things are going great, then they begin to fall apart.  Now this is woodworking!  (At least, from my experience!)  I envision a scene where the host is exhorting how simple a process is; when it doesn’t fit as he goes to assemble whatever.  Knowing he’s on TV, he has to maintain his composure.  But soon the frustration level begins to rise.  Now this is woodworking!

And I’d like to see the harder he tries, the more resistance he runs into – until he reaches his “boiling point,” and completely loses it!  (This is hard to type because I’m sitting here, laughing so hard…at myself!).

So now, our host is completely “postal” with his project!  We can hear the director trying to remind him that he’s on TV, but he’s unreachable.

“This mother-fucker,” he is now heard to say, “is really pissing me off!  It went together so well in rehearsal and now look at the gawd-damn thing!  Just a simple fit; why is it fucking me?  There is ABSOLUTELY no reason it shouldn’t fit – the gawd-damn thing!”  And with this, he reaches around and takes a large ‘Mexican speed wrench,’ (a crescent wrench) off the tool board, and begins to beat the living shit out of the errant piece.  Our host is now “on fire!”  He is about to enter his “main act!”

The director is beside himself, but keeps filming…this is just too good.

It isn’t long now before our calm, composed host takes his rage to the project itself.  Only now he needs a bigger tool, and he leaves the set – returning shortly, with a huge maul!  As he raises the maul overhead, we hear him exclaim, “I’ve had enough of this shit.  For thirty years now I’ve had to pretend it hasn’t been a big deal, and now I’m just tired of it!  This gawd-damn thing embarrasses me on TV; I’ll show ya!”  And the maul comes crashing down through his project with a mighty blow.

Pieces and splinters fly!  In the background you can hear folks scrambling.  Ole Norm has gone off his brain!  He’s whipping that maul around like it’s a tack hammer.  And it’s now one hell of a show, and one I have been through many times myself!

As the dust settles and ole Norm has worn himself out, he spots a Bosch jigsaw – and it spins him up again!  (I hate my Bosch jigsaw, that’s why it’s in the story here.)  Norm grabs the tool at the end of the power cord and begins to swing it around and around, over his head.  When he feels he has just the right amount of velocity, he brings it straight overhead to where it crashes down  into the floor.  “Take that, you mother-fucker,” he is heard to say as he looks directly into the camera.  And now, with a sense of satisfaction, we see ole Norm walk off the set…

I can laugh at it all today; but there was a time… a time when I didn’t have either the patience, or the maturity, and on occasion, I would destroy things I built.  If it wasn’t “perfect,” I couldn’t accept it.  Sobriety, growth, experience have all contributed toward my woodworking today – and if something is not “perfect,” I can live with it.  As long as it is not “crappy,” I can live with it.

I also keep a cricket bat in my shop these days.  Brought it back from Australia.  I keep it there for when someone points out a “flaw” to me – something I either missed, or screwed up – well, that will be their last conscious thought of the day… LOL!

Thanks for indulging me here this morning… I am still chuckling.  And I think I just might make a YouTube video here one of these days – on woodworking!

Posted in Life Lessons, Sobriety | Leave a comment

“Das Boot” – 2

Posted on 06/10/2012 by Bobo

I frequently hear people say, “Oh, I never could do something like that; I just don’t have the patience.”

This canoe is going sooo much easier than my first one.  I think it’s because I did learn something from building my first one.  Besides the “skill set,” I have learned ‘patience!’  Perhaps not as much as I would like to have someday, but it is noticeable just the same.  And beginning a canoe in September has it’s merit.  Why the hurry to finish?  Anyone think I am going to put my ass in the Maumee River in November?  So, what’s the hurry?

But back to the ‘patience’ aspect here, before I get too far ‘down the river’…  For the better part of my life, I approached Life in the “hair-on-fire” mindset.  Had to get whatever done in order to begin then next project/activity.  And in this mindset, I have lost and missed a great deal I suppose… But, with this project I have discovered it’s not too late.  It’s not too late to capture the patience I have sought.  And upon reflection, I can see my patience spilling over into other aspects of my daily life.  Ah ha!  You do something because you can’t do it; you do it so you can do it!

Something else I am tapping into with this canoe is, “spirituality.”  Now, I am not going to even try to define “spirituality” here – it’s just too large for me to grasp, much less put down in words.  However, I tend to be more aware now when I am in a “spiritual place.”

Last Spring a college friend and his wife, Marv and Claire, stopped by for a visit.  I showed my first canoe to them and when we went back inside to continue our visit, Marv ordered plans to build a canoe of his own.  I didn’t think much more of it at the time.

Last August I had the occasion to visit Marv and Claire in Washington.  It wasn’t long before we were out in Marv’s shop, admiring his canoe!

 

Here we are just after applying the first coat of fiberglass.  Marv has done an excellent job with his canoe, and I learned a bit more from helping him…

 

 

 

 

 

 

So now as I am building mine, Marv continually “walks through my mind.”  I wonder if he knows how to do this or that, and how he might approach this or that.  Then I recall things we did together at Bowling Green, when we were in ROTC.  And I enjoy the time I spend with him – in my mind.  This is a large facet of my spirituality these days…

So what I have discovered is, there is so much more in building a canoe than just building a canoe!  There’s spirituality; there’s learning and there’s growth – if only I open myself up to it.  If only I become “teachable.”

 

Posted in Life Lessons | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Das Boot” – 1

Posted on 05/10/2012 by Bobo

I began to build my second canoe on 10 Sept. 2012.  I enjoy building these things.  Don’t know what I am going to do with it, maybe put it on the water?

The first canoe I built I call “The learning Curve,” as I learned so much from it.

This second canoe is a ‘river canoe’ and is 5 feet longer than “The Learning Curve.”  I have decided to call this one, “Das Boot.”

These are the forms being set.  They are spaced 18″ apart and determine the shape of the canoe.

 

 

 

 

 

Here are the first strips going on.  For this canoe I am using redwood strips, with walnut accent pieces.  The first ones are put on with screws; the subsequent strips are glued and clamped.

 

 

Here the strips continue up the sides.  As they transition onto the bottom, they will close to what looks like a ‘football.’  Here you can now see the ‘football.’

Yesterday, 4 Oct. 2012 I completed the strips.

This shows the herringbone pattern I used on the bottom, and the last piece about to go in.  Each piece had to be custom cut to meet the ever-changing lengths and angles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And finally:

The anvil is a specialized tool I use to hold the last strip in place as the glue sets.  To date I have 71 hours and 15 minutes in 24 days invested in this project.

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

My First Cup of Coffee…

Posted on 30/09/2012 by Bobo

I began drinking coffee when I was 16.  I can’t remember the exact date of my first cup of coffee, but I sure remember the time and place!

We were stationed at Chambley AFB, France.  Base housing was a trailer park.

The “deluxe” houses had lean-toes.  In winter these trailers leaked and shook with the cold winds, and in summer they were hot and sultry.

My room was at the rear of the our trailer.  Just off my room, in the lean-to, was my folk’s room.  One night I was awakened by an all-to-familiar noise from the lean-to – the sound of anger.  To this day I remember Mom saying, “No Bob, don’t do that – it hurts!”  And I just laid there… in silence, trying to block everything from my mind.

Soon thereafter Mom came up into the trailer, into my room, and asked if I was awake.  After an appropriate delay I sat up, seemingly shaking the sleep from my head.  She asked me if I would go to the base cafeteria with her.  (In those days Air Force bases had 24-hour cafeterias; cafeterias that usually featured good food.  Today there are economical, environmental-friendly vending machines.)  I got up, put on my jeans and we were on our way.

I could see Mom was distressed.  I knew better than to ask ‘why;’ I knew why.  I had heard it all; laying hardly 10 – 15 feet away, listening to dear ole Dad abuse my Mom.  Listening to dear ole Dad rape my Mom.  And I did nothing…

By the time I was 16 I had taken “my fair share of beatings;” for all sorts of heinous crimes a child of an angry alcoholic inadvertently commits.  I was tired of being beaten myself.  So I laid there and “let” Mom take another one.  And from that night on I have carried the shame of a young boy who could, or would not, protect his Mother…

In spite of everything that had proceeded, Mom and I had a great, light-hearted conversation that night.  We always did.  I never let on that I knew what had transpired before we got to the cafeteria that night – I never brought it up with Mom… But there is hardly a time, when I have a cup of coffee, that I don’t wonder how life would have been different had I taken one more beating…

 

Posted in Air Force Brats, Family | Leave a comment

“Take Two Tablets, Orally by Mouth”

Posted on 29/09/2012 by Bobo

In the Spring of 1988 I had an annoying head cold.  After a while, it got to the point where I couldn’t ignore it anymore.  So I headed into the Flight Surgeon’s.  (I was still in the Air Force at the time.) The visit was pretty straight-forward and soon I was on my way…

When I got outside, as I crossed through the parking lot, I began reading the label.  Why?  Oh hell, I don’t know, but I do.  In essence it read: “Take two tablets every four hours, orally by mouth.”  As I let it sink it, it hit me – hard!  How else would you take them?

It was a bright sunny day, that morning.  Other than the annoying head cold, I was feeling pretty good.  And as I let this sink in, it almost brought me to my knees!

I then began to wonder, “Why did ‘they’ – whoever ‘they’ are – think ‘they’ had to put ‘orally by mouth’ on the label?”  All I could think of was some cretin shoving a couple cold tablets up his ass!  And then I just couldn’t get the image out of my mind!  I soon was bent over in laughter in the parking lot that morning…

Since I was grounded I headed back into the Clinic – to the pharmacy.  “I have a question,” I announced.  And then the fun began.  For their part, the pharmacists and techs were ‘trying’ to maintain a degree of professionalism, but I wouldn’t let up!  In a ‘deadpan’ manner I kept asking questions.  Soon I had them all laughing; and then, I was on my way…

“Take two tablets, orally by mouth…”  YGBSM!

 

Posted in PIT, The Book | Leave a comment

“Use for Intended Purpose”

Posted on 29/09/2012 by Bobo

I just bought a new jigsaw.  One of the things I do here, as I coast into my ‘golden years’ is, I actually read the operator’s manual – once I find the English section!  ‘Wisdom’ they call it, I think…

The 3rd paragraph of the operator’s manual is entitled, “Use For Intended Purpose.”  Now, why do I have to read this shit?  I just want to know how to “operate” the tool – I know “why” I bought it!  Then I thought “lawyers!”   Fucking lawyers!

Once my blood pressure came back into “normal limits,” I began to wonder, “What else would anyone use this jigsaw for?”  Maybe an anchor for a fishing boat?  Nah.  How about as a training device, working up to the Hammer Throw event in the Summer Olympics?  Nope.  Damned if I know – but somebody, at one time or another, must have used one of these for something other than for cutting wood.  It just boggles the mind at times…

“Use for Intended Purpose” – amazing…

Posted in The Dumbing of America | Leave a comment

Show Me the Carnage…

Posted on 29/09/2012 by Bobo

Drove up to the bank the other day and the thing that grabbed my attention was a new spiffy, solar-powered stop sign.  Really?  At the only 4-way stop intersection, in Whitehouse, Ohio?

So I go into the bank and make a comment to the teller about the new, spiffy stop signs.  She proceeds to tell me they were installed for ‘safety reasons.’  Really?  “Have we been ‘scarping them’ up off the highway here of late?  In downtown Whitehouse, Ohio?” I inquired.

“Well, we have seen an increase in traffic,” she responded.

This conversation wasn’t going to go anywhere, so I gave it up… but not before wondering “How did I survive to 66 without spiffy, solar-powered stop signs in downtown Whitehouse, Ohio?” out loud, of course…

The population of Whitehouse was reported as 2733 in the 2000 US census.  Current estimates range up to 4339.  And some of those I suppose, don’t drive…

I don’t know how much these damn things cost in Whitehouse, Ohio, but in Branson, MO they just installed them at $4,000 a pop!  YGBSM!  This is to replace a sign – one that has worked for me for 48 years – that costs $125 each.  But, the new signs are sure ‘spiffy!’  And I am sure the fine folks in the village administration are proud as punch of them!

And we wonder why our government – whether it be federal, state or local – is broke?

Grrrr……

 

 

 

Posted in Signs | Leave a comment

“I’ve Never Met A Dead Man Before…”

Posted on 25/09/2012 by Bobo

I labeled my first three students I had at Vance as ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.”  Looking back now,  some 35+ years later, that pretty-well sums it up.

Lloyd was “the Good,” and he damn-near killed us a couple of times.  Not because he was a “ham-fisted,” but because I was complacent!  I first became aware of this when Jimmy P. came up to my table one morning and stuck out his hand.  I had seen Jimmy around the squadron, but had not met him yet.  From a distance I had seen him as as a quiet leader in the unit and I held a bit of respect for him.

I looked up from my debriefing with Lloyd, stood and took his hand.  As we shook hands, he simply said, I have never met a dead man before,” and with that, he turned and left.  I just stood there, kinda perplexed.  “What did he mean by that?” I asked myself.  Lloyd just kind of kept his head low, not wanting to draw any more attention to himself.

Some time later I found the courage to track him down and ask, “What was that all about?”  Jimmy suggested we grab a cup of coffee and then we found a place to sit and he explained what he meant…

He had been the RSU Controller earlier that morning when Lloyd and I were flying traffic patterns.  I remember having been sent around once, but didn’t think anything more about it – until Jimmy explained how close we had come to “spearing in.”  Then it all came back to me.

We were on an advanced contact ride, flying now more for proficiency vs. learning.  Lloyd had been doing quite well in the program, and I was content with his progress.  As I write here this morning, I can distinctly remember sitting in the back that morning, arms resting on the canopy rails, feeling proud of the job I had done with him!  He was good.

As we approached the overrun for a no-flap landing, Lloyd began his flare (to landing) a bit early, a bit too high.  It wasn’t too bad, or so I thought, so I let him continue, thinking he would soon recognize his error and correct accordingly.  He didn’t.  Crap!

When we crossed the runway threshold, instead of relaxing stick ‘backpressure,’ Lloyd pulled back, and chopped the power!  It was at that time my arms came off the canopy rails!

I remember the aircraft rolling to the left as I shoved the throttles into ‘burner’ (afterburner) – but I didn’t realize how far we had rolled.  Jimmy then told me that from where he sat in the RSU,  he could see our knee boards strapped on our legs, looking up through our canopies!  He went on to say it all happened so fast that he never had the chance to send us around.  He said his next thoughts were to notify the fire department…  Until then, I had not realized how precarious our position was!  How far I had let him go… (That line from “Animal House” now comes to mind:  “Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life”…Ahhh!)

I managed to ‘right’ the jet just as the burners lit.  And thank God, it was enough to arrest our sink rate and we recovered.  I thought nothing more about it – until Jimmy introduced himself that morning.

As a young IP, I matured quite a bit from that incident – and from the way Jimmy handled it.  I took a hard look at “complacency” within myself; and my limits, with respect to how far I was willing to let a student go.

Jimmy could have taken the incident to “the Heavies,” to the squadron Ops Officer or Commander, but he didn’t – he came to me.  And I got the message!  At that time, in 1976, we had a great cadre of mid-level supervisors within the squadron.  Jim N., Hal R., Don R., the ‘Burker,’ Sam D., Andy J., and ‘the Fonz’ to name but a few.  These guys knew how “the cow ate the cabbage” and  how to run a flying squadron.  They didn’t “run to Mommy” with every little issue.  They weren’t concerned with “covering their asses!  I never forgot the lessons I learned from these men, and was a better IP and supervisor myself for having known and worked for them… And, it still gives me the shivers when I think about how I met Jimmy that morning…

 

Posted in The Book | Tagged | Leave a comment