A Christmas Card from 1875
How the folks of Whiteoak Township, Highland County, Ohio, celebrated Christmas
As we sweep up the wrapping paper and finish up the eggnog, I wanted to share a recollection from a particular Christmas Past, the one in 1875. My biographical subject, Wilbur J. Carr, was five years old; his community of Whiteoak Township, Highland County, Ohio – population 1,052 as of five years prior – celebrated many of the same traditions we do today.
A Whiteoak resident, signing themselves only as “SOMEBODY,” took the time to recount their Christmas festivities for us:
On Christmas Eve a large crowd of people from the surrounding country gathered at the Bell’s Run school-house, to see a splendid Christmas tree, that was presented to the school and the public. The house was well decorated and the tree was brightly illuminated with candles. The exercises commenced with some of the best choir singing that ever we have heard. The Mourytown German Silver Cornet Band discoursed some excellent music. The gentlemen who compose this band are gentlemen indeed, and well deserve the patronage of the people. It is led by Prof. Julius S. Galliet, who has the Mourytown school in charge.
(Like the majority of Whiteoak residents, the Christmas tree probably had its roots in Germany. In those days before electric lighting, Christmas trees were lit (briefly) with real candles. As you might imagine, fires were not uncommon, but Whiteoak residents judged the spectacle worth the risk; precautions could be taken, like using the new clips specially designed for the purpose, and keeping buckets of water nearby. Seven years later, Thomas Edison’s business partner, Edward H. Johnson, would put the first string of electric lights on a Christmas tree – a brilliant marketing stunt that’s still bearing dividends today.)
Prof. W.C. Miller, the experienced and successful teacher who has the Bell’s Run school in charge, next appeared and delivered a very eloquent address, at the close of which the Band played again.
The audience was next addressed by the Rev. Chas. Brouillette and Rev. Chas. Gueman.
The Christmas tree was heavily loaded with presents, some of which were funny and some of much value. It took an hour and a half to distribute the presents among the people, the Band playing at intervals.
(As a kid, I always wondered why Johnny Mathis sang of “presents on the tree” instead of under it. In places like Whiteoak Township in 1875, gifts were apparently still small and modest enough to be tied to the branches of the tree, though an engraving of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert from 1848 had already popularized the image of a decorated tree with more lavish presidents underneath.)
The whole affair was well conducted by Mr. Miller, and a very good order preserved. After the tree was stripped the people dispersed and returned to their homes, well pleased with the music and good speaking they had heard, and also delighted with the many gifts they had received.