On July 13, 1956, The Sidney Daily News published two articles concerning the United States Postal Service in New Knoxville. The first article covers the history of our postal service and the second concerns the beginning of rural delivery from the NK Post Office. We have added some pictures and commentary following the first article to clarify locations, etc.
SIDNEY DAILY NEWS
July 13, 1956
Post Office Will Observe 98th Anniversary July 20
Although New Knoxville as a community celebrated its centennial in 1936, the New Knoxville post office will observe its 98th anniversary on July 20, according to records which have been kept by E.H. Katterheinrich, postmaster. Recorded as the first official postmaster on July 28, 1858 was Solomon Hudson who served until June 25, 1864. It is also reported that the first letter in the newly established official post office was received by William H. Snethkamp. The letter was mailed from Lima and was postmarked on August 4, 1858.
Previous to the appointment of Hudson, the mail service for the area was handled by a Mr. Venneman who operated a store in the little community. Whenever it was convenient for him to go to a larger center, he would take mail with him and pick up any which was available and distribute it at his store.
The second recorded postmaster was Henry Lutterbein who served until Aug. 19, 1865 which indicates that his tenure was only 14 months. Henry Cook (or Kuckherman) became the third postmaster and served the community for 20 years.
On Oct. 17, 1885, Lewis H. Meckstroth became the fourth postmaster and served until Aug. 4, 1887 when Herman W. Fledderjohann was appointed as the fifth postmaster. His appointment only lasted for three months for Henry Cook was again appointed on Nov. 14, 1887 and served until Nov. 2, 1893.
At that time the appointment of William H. Fledderjohann was made and he held the position until Nov. 26, 1897. William Duhme was next appointed postmaster and served nearly 40 years until July 31, 1937. For 13 months there was a temporary appointment until E.H. Katterheinrich was appointed on Sept. 1, 1937 and is currently serving in the position.
The New Knoxville post office was advanced from fourth class to third class status on July 1, 1937 and was advanced to second class just about a year ago. Annual receipts of the post office are about $9,000. There are four mail receipts and four mail dispatches daily. Assisting Postmaster Katterheinrich as his clerks are his wife, Francis, and Mrs. Arthur Wierwille. Mrs. Araminta Grimes is temporary subclerk.
Oldest known records still available on the post office operation include a cash book dated May 5, 1893 which shows a total income of $1.28 for the date. During the two week period of May 5 to 19, 1893 there was a total of $10.65 worth of postal business.
As far as can be determined the first post office was located in the building west of Main Street and the Methodist church, now used as apartments. It was known as Cook’s store. The second post office was located in Fledderjohann’s store in the north section of the village. This was during the time that Herman Fledderjohann served as Postmaster.
The building now known as the Duhme Store and Grocery east of Henschen’s Restaurant is the location of the third post office in the village. With the appointment of E.H. Katterheinrich as postmaster the office was moved into its present location 18 years ago.
The Venneman / Cook Store—The First Home of the Post Office
This building, built in 1853, was the home and store from which Johann Heinrich Venneman distributed the mail before New Knoxville had an official postmaster. This building was located in the northwest corner of the intersection of Main and Bremen Streets, which now has the address of 101 North Main Street. Mr. Venneman’s daughter, Christina Elizabeth, married Henry Cook, who became the third official postmaster of the community and operated from this same building. He served two separate appointments for a total of about 26 years. In later years this building was moved to 207 West German Street, and it is still used as an apartment house.
The Duhme Store—The Third Home of the Post Office
With the appointment of William Duhme as postmaster in 1897 the post office was moved to the Duhme Store, which was located just to the north of the Kuhlman store, the brick building in the northwest corner of the intersection of Main and Spring Streets. The Post Office sign is partially visible through the rear opening of the canopy on the wagon in the picture. This was the home of the Post Office for nearly 40 years until July 1, 1937. On the far left side of the picture, the north end of the Venneman / Cook store is visible.
The Katterheinrich Hardware Store—The Fourth Home of the Post Office
When E. Herbert Katterheinrich was appointed to the Postmaster position on September 1, 1937, the home of the Post Office was moved to his hardware store, and it still occupies that same location at 105 South Main St.
SIDNEY DAILY NEWS
July 13, 1956
New Rural Route Carrier To Make His Initial Trip
New Knoxville post office has a new rural route which is composed of parts of St. Marys Routes 1 and 3, of New Bremen Route 1 and Botkins Route 1. First operation on the new schedule will be Saturday, July 14, with Floyd Treece as the mail carrier.
Promotion for the establishment of the new rural route was started some 15 years ago but was reactivated last year with the final approval granted by the Cincinnati regional post office for District 3. A survey was made of the area with the routing of the proposed mail line done by James Murphy of the routing office of Toledo. It will extend three miles south of New Knoxville, three miles east, two and one half miles north and two miles west. The New Bremen route will contribute 35 box holders and eight miles of travel while the Botkins route will give up 32 box holders and also eight miles of travel.
Arrangements for the new rural route have been under the direction of E.H. Katterheinrich, New Knoxville postmaster for the past 18 years. He is assisted in the office by Mrs. L. Francis Katterheinrich and Mrs. Arthur Wierwille as clerks. Mrs. Araminta Grimes is the temporary sub-clerk. The new carrier, Floyd Treece, is a veteran postal worker with 35 years of service. He had been a money order clerk in the St. Marys post office before taking over the St. Marys rural route three and one half years ago. His present route there will be eliminated from the St. Marys post office.
The new route will serve 191 patrons and will cover 57 miles. It will add to the status of the New Knoxville post office which has currently grown to a second class office for the past year and now has annual receipts of nearly $9,000. The present New Knoxville post office has a total of 225 post office box holders who receive their mail in this manner. As there no mail carriers the post office is the central meeting place for the community.