(1-13-24) When you wanted to know anything about the History of Mercer County…Joyce Alig is who you went to for that information. Alig’s love for local history will be long remember in her writings and the impact she had on Mercer County residents.

Alig wrote several books including—

Oil & Gas Boom, Mercer County and Midwest Ohio is the book about the oil and gas wells, not only in  Mercer County, but also surrounding Auglaize, Van Wert, & Darke Counties, Ohio, and Jay County, Indiana.

Celina’s first oil well in Mercer County was dated in June 1886, and St. Marys well was announced in July 1886.  Following those first wells, the landowners around the lake, also drilled wells, which were successful, e.g. 200 barrels a day.  In February 1887, the announcement was made, “The Reservoir is higher than it has been since 1876.”  The landowners who owned land around the lake, had drilled wells on the beach behind of their homes.  With the flooding of the lake as of February 1887, water covered the platforms of the oil wells and the level of the lake remained high.  Thus, the term “Off-Shore Oil Wells,” was applied to those oil wells. The Canal Commission of Ohio owned the Reservoir, as it was a feeder to the Miami and Erie Canal.  The State saw an opportunity to charge land owners to lease land for those oil wells on the lake.  The State directed the land around and on the lake to be Surveyed.  A copy of this 1889 Survey with owners’ names is included in this new book.  The State had a lengthy law suit in 1892 against the local landowners of oil wells on the lake, but the local landowners won.  Eighteen pages of this book are devoted to the interviews of this lawsuit, and local citizens who are descendants of those landowners can read the replies to the Attorneys. (“Yes, one can fight city hall!”)  Local citizens will recognize the name of the landowners on this 1889 map of the entire lake!

In addition to the Off Shore Oil Wells on the lake, this book contains first hand accounts in the old newspapers about the oil and gas wells being drilled, and the names of the sites and villages and farms where the wells were drilled, plus the dates, in Mercer, Auglaize, Van Wert, Darke Counties, Ohio and Jay County, Indiana.  A study of the Geology of the Trenton Oil Field, in Ohio and Indiana, and about the Reservoir, is included.  Photographs of local oil and gas wells are also included.  Interviews with citizens today, who drilled oil and gas wells are fascinating.  A detailed Index of first and last names in this book with about 250 pages of this local history gives the reader an opportunity to find real stories of area citizens.

OBITUARY

Joyce LuRie (Brumm) Alig, age 82, of St. Henry, Ohio, peacefully passed away on January 11, 2024, at OSU University Hospital, with Hospice of Central Ohio.

Born on July 17, 1941, to Luther and Marie (Jetter) Brumm.

Joyce was predeceased by her parents and her husband, Alvin Gerhard Alig, the son of Henry and Philomena (Homan) Alig.

Joyce and Alvin, who married on November 22, 1962, in St. Anthony, Ohio, are survived by three daughters: Lorna (Rod) Teeter, Brenda Spurlin, and Colleen Linhart, and seven grandsons: Jarrod Teeter, Ross Teeter, Tommy Spurlin, Tanner Spurlin, Camden Stephens, Lachlan Linhart, and Landon Linhart. She also leaves behind siblings and in-laws Noel (Karen) Brumm, Marilyn (Butch) Acheson, Norman (Hilda) Alig, Kenneth (Beatrice) Alig, Dale (Janet) Alig, and Lucy Ann (Steve) Nieport.

Joyce began her career as a teacher in the St. Henry School System. She transformed from a volunteer role to the president of the Mercer County Historical Society and director of the Mercer County Historical Museum. She dedicated endless hours to organizations and projects that she was passionate about for the benefit of future generations. Her love of history and value of education led her to author several books and a weekly newspaper article of local and regional history. Her writings and programs reflect not only her deep love for history but also her commitment to preserving and sharing it with future generations. Joyce was a woman of diverse interests and actively supported many different organizations. In honor of her commitment to these causes and her strong spirit, the family suggests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Joyce’s name to an organization where you shared a common interest. Or more importantly, give the gift of your time and involvement in the local communities. Joyce Alig’s memory will be cherished by all who knew her, and her impact will continue through the many lives she touched. She will be profoundly missed by her family, friends, and all who were influenced by her wit, humor, willingness to help, and commitment to making a difference.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Henry Catholic Church, St. Henry, Ohio. Burial will follow in St. Henry Cemetery.

Friends may call from 2 to 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, and 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, St. Henry.

Condolences may be expressed at hogenkampfh.com.