Vintage Tipp

To honor the 250th Anniversary and Memorial Day, the May Tippecanoe Historical Society articles will not be a mystery picture but will honor veterans from Tipp City. 

Frank J. Henn was born in 1892 to parents who came to Tipp City from Germany. He became engaged to Mae Messick in 1917. When he was called to WWI, he wanted to get married. She refused as she felt some ladies were getting married, so if the husband did not survive, they could collect widow's benefits. Frank left for Camp Sherman on October 3, 1917.

Some of his experiences:

• Marched into Bain and stayed in the stables

• Camped all night in the woods

• Horses giving out

• Stole beans and bread, anything they could get to eat

• Camped all night in Cerges in a ruined house

• About 12 midnight, the rope broke and the horses got loose

• December 25 was in Breitman, Germany 

On Dec. 22, 1918, Frank wrote to Mae's parents about his experiences. He asked them to tell Mae that he would be coming home soon and to have plenty of candy on hand, "Because I sure have missed my candy." Mae sent him a box of candy and some pictures on Feb. 15, 1919. 

On Feb. 4, Frank died of pneumonia in the same German county that his parents had immigrated from. He was buried in Battleground Cemetery near Coblenz. He was returned to Tipp City on July 31, 1920, and was buried in the Catholic Cemetery located on the southwest corner of S. Hyatt and Evanston Road.

Mae Messick was my Great Aunt, and I have been told that she had opportunities but never married. Frank was her one and only love. Mae died in 1983.

For much more of this story, stop by the museum on any Saturday from 10-12 and check out their files. For questions or information, call 937-698-6798 or 734-845-6520.