Well Gibsonburg and Painesville are miles apart, but it's not impossible there is a connection. Lots of information on the Lutz's Inn in Painesville though.
PAINESVILLE, OHIO 1940s era postcard back: "Lutz's Hotel and Dining Room, formerly Rider's and Randall's Tavern, established in 1812 was merely "a house by the side of the road" when it opened on the Indian trail between Buffalo and Cleveland. It became very popular during the stage coach and Civil War era. Since the change in ownership in 1946, the Lutz's are carrying on the tradition of serving excellent full course luncheons and dinners and providing comfortable lodging for their guests. The spacious rooms also delightfully lend themselves to private parties, banquets and receptions. Serving hours: Luncheons 12 to 2:30 - Dinners 5 to 9; Sundays and holidays 12 to 9; dining room closed on Mondays. Recommended by AAA. Phone 8200; US Route 20."
OBITUARY: LUTZ, HELEN A., 94, of Largo, FL died Monday (Sept. 25, 2000) at Regal Palms, an assisted-living facility in Largo. She was born in Lykens, Ohio, and came here in 1984 from Onsted, Mich. She owned and operated Lutz's Inn, Painesville, Ohio. She was a member of St. Paul United Methodist Church of Largo. Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Snellen, Alpharetta, Ga., and Joy Alsop, Safety Harbor; five grandchildren, Susan Nunamaker, Indian Rocks Beach, Park Alsop, Clearwater, Doug Nunamaker, Quincy, Kimberly Dickey, Winter Park, and Sabrina Shaparo, Orangeville, Calif.; and 11 great-grandchildren. Lewis W. Mohn Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Seminole.
1900 Census for Gibsonburg lists Lester Charles Krotzer, born Aug 1876 as a teamster and servant in a private home. The 1920 Census lists him as a farmer as does his WWI draft card. He died Aug. 28, 1938.
There is also a Luther Krotzer in the area, born May 28, 1909 but is listed variously with the middle initials E, R and J, but all appear to be the same person. However I found a death certificate listing for Luther A. Krotzer, born 1910, who died in Gibsonburg on Mar. 25, 1984. Looks like his wife Ada (born abt 1913) died Jul. 19, 1966.
So, I think Luther is our man of the token. He seems to have lived his whole life in Gibsonburg. However, I can't find any match up to when he may have been in a position to issue a token. In 1910 he was a newborn. In 1920 he was 10 years old. In 1930 he was 20 years old and still living at home but working as a driver for a garage. He married Ada E. Gracemyer in 1935.
So, *if* Luther is our man, and that looks extremely likely, the token probably dates to after 1930. I could not find any information on the Lutz's Inn in Gibsonburg though. Might be worth contacting the area historical society or ordering a copy of his obituary from the Hayes Presidential Center
http://index.rbhayes.org/hayes/index/record_detail.asp?id=121908 to see if there is more to the story.
!!!!!
thanks for all the info everyone!!! here is the token.
