Lewis J. Cist- Conestoga wagons

Lewis Jacob Cist worked as a bank teller both in Cincinnati and in St. Louis, Mo. He also had experience in the insurance industry. Cist lived in an era of a continued expansion westward. Lewis Cist along with other families continued a correlation family relationship of moving westward.

The American Spirit, July/ August 2018 edition.The Conestoga wagon played a major role in moving freight. Curator Roger B. White wrote that the wagon was "the undisputed king of the road in a procession of freight wagons that formed a cord  from Philadelphia, PA and Baltimore, Md., to ports on the Ohio  River" such as Pittsburgh, Pa., and Wheeling, W. Va.

According to American Spirit, July/ August 2018 edition, Conestoga wagons originated in southeastern Pennsylvania according to Shumway. The name came from the Conestoga River Valley around Lancaster, Pa., where English and Pennsylvania Dutch immigrants  used the wagon-building skills they'd brought with them to develop a vehicle suitable for America's primitive roads. Page 42-3.

No one can be credited with inventing the Conestoga wagon, Shumway noted. Instead, it evolved from Old World wagon designs. There were minor differences, but the general design and equipage were remarkably similar. Most were built of tough , heavy, well-seasoned white oak, hickory and other hardwoods. 

The body, also called the bed or the box, rested on the wheel assembly, or running gear, at tow points in the stern and one in the front, where it was secured with a kingpin that allowed the box to rock back and forth on rough surfaces. The running gear did not have shocks-absorbing springs, so this built-in flexibility helped reduce wear and tear, and it also minimized jolts to the precious cargo. Shumway described the setup as "a basket on wheels." Page 43.

Lewis J. Cist participated in the movement of goods and assisted new settlers moving out west. He was part of team. Just as Mr. Shumway mentioned that no one can be credited with inventing the Conestoga wagon, but it played a major role in a continued effort of the American scene.

I mention Cist because I am recognizing  the even though Cist is not credited with the movement of moving out west he was involved. There were thousands of settlers who moved westward. This is an additional example of how an individual played a part in a larger picture of working in a team atmosphere.

I can imagine Lewis Cist on a journey consisting of multiple wagons navigating primitive trails, battling hardships, such as, surviving rattlesnake encounters, Indian confrontations, food shortages, and other pioneer experiences.

Can you see yourself being a contributor towards a "team player" of a larger story? It could be in the tech world, non-profit organizations, in mental health care, or other situations that you care about.
This photo was taken at the Springfield Ohio Historical Society on 11/27/2018.

Andrew C. Allen
pewabic34 at gmail.com
August 28, 2018/ edited 11/27/2018

July 4th, Washington, D.C. concert in the park.

My trip to Washington, D.C. to visit my cousin, Edwin, was very spontaneous! I loved it. The morning of July 2, not much was going on in Troy, Ohio, so I went to a second hand store to look for fishing gear. The store owner asked me if I had any plans for the holiday. I mentioned, "I do not know  where I will be."That was a truthful answer. By 2:00pm, my cousin Edwin called and asked me to Virginia to experience the free concert on the Capital Building grounds. It is a big deal. Tens of thousands of people attend the concert each year. I picked the 7:00 o'clockish flight to Washington, D.C. Edwin picked me up at the airport.

There are many meanings on how to interpret American history and meanings of what the July 4th holiday means to USA citizens. I used my visit with Edwin's family as a liberty and freedom walk to experience of an individualized freedom, liberty, and justice. I took the definition of the Spirit of Independence as this: I have a college education. I have the freedom to build my own life, be self- sufficient, and be myself. As a general observation, most families have good and bad issues in family life. I left Washington, D.C. with Edwin's 3 day salad recipe. We went shopping at Trader Joe's while I got the other ingredients when I retuned to Troy.  This was an individualized expression of freedom. That is good. Not everything has to be on a grand scale of national importance when dealing with the fourth of July holiday. I enjoyed my time with my cousin!

Tupperware container 64 .oz
1st layer: carrots, mini ones, peppers, green, yellow, and red peppers.
2nd layer broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, baby spinach
3rd layer sliced almonds and/ or raisins, olive oil
4th layer steel cut oats
5th layer fresh fruit (in season?) blueberries, mangos, sliced apples, etc.
Place in different corners, Turmeric powder, Basil pesto, capers, pine nuts.
Splash pomegranate vingar on top
Spread Greek honey yogurt on top
Place lid on top. Good for the 3 day rule.

Stay in the present moment. Thanks, Edwin!

Send me your ideas about freedom, liberty, and justice.

Andrew C. Allen
pewabic34 at gmail.com
08/23/2018

Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio

Happy Memorial Day to all veterans who fought for our freedoms!

 These photos were taken at Spring Grove Cemetery, Cincinnati, Ohio. There are many wonderful and informative plagues along with other Civil War information on soldiers who fought at the Battle of Chickamauga. William H. Lytle and Henry M. Cist were in the same group who fought under George H. Thomas. A side note: Donn Piatt ,who fought with Lytle, Cist, and Thomas, is buried in the Piatt family plot in Jefferson Township, Ohio.

The Cist family plot is very simple. The grave sites are just simple granite tombstones that gives names, dates,  births and deaths. Family stories have been passed down about what the Cist family believed in, spirituality, socially, culturaly, and economy wise. My late dad would often say to me. "Andrew, we just placed another plum in the hat". Which means that you do not have to be responsible for filling up the whole fruit basket. A person does not have to do everything and be everything, just make a contribution and do the best you can- move on with life.

The gravesite of Civil War veteran, Henry M. Cist

 The gravesite of Charles Cist, the editor from Cincinnati- son of Philadelphia printer Charles Cist who came over to British Colonies after escaping from Siberia, Russia.

This is the gravesite of Charles Edwards Cist who was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The gravesite of Lewis J. Cist is not readable.  He is the person who had the world famous autograph collection that was auctioned off in New York City by Bang & Company.

Spring Grove Cemetery has many other notable individuals who contributed to the fabric of our nation. I am using the Cist family as an example. Join the circle.

Andrew C. Allen

pewabic34 at gmail.com
05/27/2018

April 21 from 1:00- 5:00 pm- Charles Cist Blog Event

Hello Pewabic Writing blog readers. On April 21st, there will be a presentation at the Vandalia branch of the Dayton Public Library. It is located at 330 South Dixie Drive, Dayton, OH, 45377. Ask the front desk for the conference room from 1:00-5:00 pm. There will be new information about Charles Cist that has not been posted yet.

This presentation would be interesting for the following groups:

1. High school students who wish to write an extra credit report for their history class.

2. History teachers who want to share an original story that is a current event story.

3. General history learners.

4. Groups who wish to learn more about the English language in a blog format.

5. English teachers who wish to engage their students in learning the importance of the English language in the digital world.

There is seating for eight. Please RSVP to the email below.
Sincerely,

Andrew C. Allen

pewabic34@gmail.com

Portrait of Jacob Cist

This is a portrait of Jacob Cist, a son of Charles Cist, the Philadelphia printer. Christian is on the left and Parky is on the right. Both gentleman are from the Jacob Cist side of the family. I had a wonderful time with them at the new American Revolutionary War Museum in Philadelphia.

Andrew C. Allen
pewabic34 at gmail.com
1/30/2018

The Muhlenberg Family- Pennsylvania

The Early American Life magazine, April 2017 edition, provided an excellent source of names to put into the collection box of names to make further connections to Charles Cist, American Revolutionary War Philadelphia printer.

The article starts out by explaining who the Patrich, The Reverend Henry Muhlenberg was in early colonial Pennsylvania history. He was instrumental in organizing the Lutheran ministry in early colonial America. His house was furnished with excellent examples of 18th century furniture from Pennsylvania and Philadelphia German wood makers. The furniture was made to entertain extensively. Reverend Muhlenberg emigrated from Germany in 1742. This is the same time period that Count Nikolaus von Zinzendorf  visited Philadelphia from Germany that I wrote about in previous blog posts ( Wednesday night Celtic Service)

Additionally, the article mentions an intriguing connection to an added viewpoint on the ongoing battle to better understand slavery, indentured servitude, freedom, and liberty.  The Muhlenberg family had both German indentured servants and enslaved African servants living at the house. A German woman servant and one of the enslaved African servants got into a physical altercation that could not be reconciled, so she went to a neighboring Muhlenberg's house.

The second son of Henry and Mary Muhlenberg was Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg. He was born in Trappe, Pennsylvania on January 1, 1750. He went to Germany in 1763 for his education. NOTE TO SELF( Did he go to the University of Halle, Germany, the same university as Charles Cist and Nikolaus von Zinzendorf ?) Frederick returned home from his educational studies back to America in 1770.

Frederick Muhlenberg was very active in both ministries and later in Pennsylvania politics have been involved at the 1787 Pennsylvania's constitutional convention, elected to first Federal Congress of 1789, became first Speaker of the House and first signer of the Bill of Rights. He was elected three more times in the House.

Andrew C. Allen
pewabic34@gmail.com
October 31, 2017

10,000th view page hit. Thank you readers!

During a visit to the Lilly Rare books department at the Indiana University in Bloomington, IN in January 2014, I located Charles Cist's printing of early colonial hot air balloon rides. Many doctors, statesmen, as well as President George Washington were there for the grand festival. Benjamin Franklin donated scientific instruments to the exploratory experiments with air pressure, air moisture, and other natural philosophies studies that the group sought answers to questions. I have videos of documents, but I am having a challenge placing them onto my blog. I am working on this to help better explain findings.

An important auction of important maps and books from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is being auctioned off November 10-11, 2017. Many of the maps and books belonged to many of the names that I come across while collecting material on Charles Cist. The works offered are by John Graves Simcoe, Lewis Evans, Thomas Hutchins, Lieutenant John Hills, Joseph Frederick, Wallet des Barres, Theodore de Bry, Robert Morden, John Senex, and more. Brunk Auctions is selling off an example of the American Spirit of information pertaining to the early development of America. This period of maps and books go up to 1805. This is when Charles Cist died in Washington, D.C. Cist worked in the Adams administration and helped establish an early governmental printing office there.

This is going to be a very exciting auction that will bring an added vantage point to the continuing American Spirit.

Andrew C. Allen
pewabic34 at gmail.com
October 2, 2017