My Family

Alfred Francis Bartel (1899-1977)

2011-04-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

Great Grandpa Alfred F. Bartel (1899-1977)

This fisherman is the son-in-law of the Texas Longhorn Cattleman, Henry Peter Geis Sr., in the preceding post. And what follows was written by his granddaughter Carolyn Beth (Winters) Cunningham in 2008.

THE CHAMP

When I think of Grandpa, cool composure, sense of humor, quiet vitality, and happy-go-lucky attitude comes to mind. Some of my fondest memories include fishing, Santa suits, Hopalong Cassidy, decks of cards, and checkers.

Grandpa had me digging worms as soon as I could walk, and fishing, not fish, was one of my first words. Before I entered kindergarten, I could bait my own hook, and had my own stringer and pole. When the boys came along, he taught my sons to fish while still in training pants.

As a child, I was pretty ornery. Mother used to say “I hope you grow up and have kids just as ornery as you!” I did, but that’s another story. Throughout my childhood years, if we were visiting, or living close to my grandparents during the holidays, Grandpa made sure I was visited by Santa. Santa would peek in the window, rap on the glass, turn his head slowly from side to side, and shake his finger at me. I was good-as-gold for a couple of days! Sometimes Santa would pop in three or four times between Thanksgiving and Christmas, depending on how I was behaving. It was a mystery to me how Santa always knew when I’d been naughty! I had no idea Mother had him on speed-dial!

Before I started school, I could print my own name thanks to Mother, and I knew my numbers thanks to Grandpa ---and a deck of cards. My grandparents belonged to a pinochle club. Four couples would get together and play on Saturday nights which, coincidentally, was also the night my grandparents were usually babysitting me. At the end of each hand, partners would rotate so by the time the evening was over and the scores tallied, someone would emerge as the grand champ for the night. Grandpa was a gamesman, a card-shark, and almost always won. And none of them ever suspected the cute little girl with Shirley Temple curls was giving him signals. Players would pat me on the head, give me a cookie or celery stick, and I’d let Grandpa know which suit they were strongest in, how many marriages they had, and where both jacks of diamonds were! After sixty-some years, I still remember those signals.

In 1948 I turned four and fell madly in love with Hopalong Cassidy. We had a small seven-inch screen T.V. and I’d watch the test pattern for fifteen minutes waiting for Hoppy to appear. In 1950, for my sixth birthday, Grandpa sent me a one-hundred percent, genuine Hoppy outfit complete with holster and six-shooter; Dad took me to Big Bear Lake to watch Hoppy make a movie. I was in tall cotton! The following year, we spent the holidays in Kansas with my grandparents and, naturally, I wore my Hoppy suit most of the time. That’s when Grandpa started calling me Hipalong Catastrophe, which he eventually shortened to just Hipalong. Throughout the years, the nickname became a private term of endearment between us, and Grandpa could always brighten my day with a “Hey, Hipalong, how ya doin’!”

In later years, my grandparents lived across the street from the fire station. After Grandpa retired, he spent many an afternoon telling stories and playing checkers with the fire fighters. They played for a quarter a game, and Grandpa usually came home with a smile on his face and the jingle of money in his pocket. They called him “Champ” and he referred to them as “the boys.”

The last year of his life, Grandpa was confined to a hospital bed at home. During that time, I got to know the boys real well, too. They’d waltz across the street to visit with the Champ or see if there was anything they could do for Grandma. That year the yard never needed mowing and the Impala got exceptional gas mileage ---the tank was always full. I’m sure the firehouse boys were responsible for both.

The day after Grandpa passed away, I had just finished picking out his burial clothes and was sitting on the front steps trying to summon the strength to take them to the funeral home and pick out his casket ---one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. I was holding a cup of coffee between my hands, tears in my eyes, when two firemen came up the walk.

I don’t remember their names, but they sat down beside me, one on each side. One put his arm across my shoulders, gave me a squeeze, and said “Hey, Hipalong, how ya doin’?” I lost it! The other took the cup from my hands and replaced it with a small pull-string bag.

When I finally got myself together again, they asked me to open the bag. Inside were a very small checker board, tiny black and red checkers, and a couple of quarters. They asked me to place them in the Champs casket; maybe he and St. Peter could get a game goin’ in the hereafter. They didn’t think Grandma would approve, but they knew I would. I thanked them, promised it would be done, and that it would remain our secret.

Later that morning I picked out the casket and that evening, as I said a private good-bye to my old fishin’ buddy, I added a miniature deck of cards to the bag and slipped it inside. In my heart, I knew Grandpa was smiling and giving a thumbs-up to Hipalong and the boys. The Champ was ready to rock ‘n roll!

Henry Peter Geis Sr. (1854-1927)

2011-04-28T12:11:00.000-07:00

Henry Peter Geis Sr. (1854-1927)

One of my Great-Great-Grandpa's Texas Longhorns

PACK YOUR OWN

Great-grandpa was a tough rugged man. He had to be, given the times and circumstances in which he lived. He had homesteaded near Durham, Kansas, along the Cottonwood River, and had acquired not just a few acres of land but, rather, sections of land.

He and Grandma had eleven children, and grew or made most everything they needed except things like material, coffee and sugar. Those they purchased in town. They had their own flour, soap, lard, milk, cider, wine, jam, jellies, bacon, steaks, chops, eggs, pickles, honey, apple-butter, home made noodles, down bedding, and leather articles of clothing and gear ---among other things. They raised eight girls, three boys, their own fruits and vegetables, bees, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, hogs, horses, sheep, and cattle. They also did a heap of hunting and trapping. No one was idle! No one ever went hungry!

Every fall, Grandpa would hire a dozen or so local cowboys, along with their horses, ride to Texas, purchase a herd of longhorns, and drive the herd back to Durham. Keep in mind, these longhorns were wild, extremely dangerous, and you couldn’t pack as many into a cattle car as you could short-horned cattle. My Grandmother, who had as one of her chores herding these brutes, said the last thing you ever wanted to do was get off your horse ---you’d be trampled to death or gored in a New York minute! The longhorns would be fattened over the winter and spring, and then taken to market in Kansas City. In the early days, the cattle were herded to market, but after the railroad was established, they were taken by train.

Taking a herd of cattle to market was quite an operation, even by train. Grandpa would hire extra hands, along with their horses, to help herd and load them into cattle cars. A process that took several days. Enroute to Kansas City, the train was halted, at least once, preferably twice, the cattle released, the cars cleaned, the cattle exercised and reloaded. The trip took several days and hours of hard, dirty, dangerous work. Once in Kansas City, the herd was sold, the crew paid, and Grandpa and the men, along with their horses, would head back home on the next available train. Upon reaching home, they would be met by most of the townsfolk, Grandpa would give a short speech, and then all would retire to the park for fried chicken and German potato salad. Kind of like a big family reunion!

It was on one such trip that Grandpa ran into a bit of trouble. There was a new fellow at the controls of this particular train and he, obviously, had no intention of stopping for the required exercising of cattle and horses.

Grandpa, along with the rest of the men, was riding in the caboose. No one knew quite what to do ---except Grandpa. He loaded his six-gun, strapped on his gun-belt and holster, and proceeded to the engine ---across the tops of the cattle cars! Once inside the engine, Grandpa had a come-to-Jesus meeting with the new engineer, while holding the business end of his six-shooter against the feller’s left ear. Naturally, given his choices, the engineer stopped the train! The horses and cattle were off-loaded, exercised, and reloaded. Grandpa was a happy camper!

After that, all went fairly well. They arrived in Kansas City, the herd was sold, and the men paid. By this time, however, Grandpa was feeling, and looking, pretty grungy. He was also in a hurry to catch the next train home, but he wanted to look good for the celebration, especially his annual speech. He stopped in at a little clothing store close to the stockyards, and asked the proprietor to package up a new shirt, pants and a pair of socks ---his old boots, hat, chaps, and longjohns would do just fine.

Once the men and horses were gathered and on board, Grandpa could relax. Although they were on a faster train goinghome, it still took a couple of days. Beings there weren’t any women on board, Grandpa decided to get comfy and lounge around in his long underwear until they got closer to home. Most of the other men did likewise. They were just south of Kansas City, when Grandpa took off his dirty clothes, decided they were definitely a lost cause, tossed them out a window, washed up, and took a nap.

Everything was going smoothly ---until they were about thirty minutes from Durham. That’s when Grandpa decided it was time to get dressed and ready for his speech. He opened up his package of new clothes. They were all there ---new shirt, new pants, and new socks. The only trouble was they were about the size for an eight-year old kid! The proprietor of that little clothing store was damn lucky Grandpa was so far from Kansas City ‘cause his kinfolk would have been pickin’ out his casket! Nobody said a word! They didn’t dare! The silence was so thick you could cut it with a knife!

As usual, the train was met by most of the townsfolk, including Grandma! And, regardless of what others said, she thought Grandpa looked pretty handsome ---in his hat, his boots, his gun-belt and holster, his six-shooter, his chaps, and his bright red longjohns!

NOTE: The following year, I’m told, Grandpa went huntin’ that store owner in Kansas City. Lucky for Grandma and the kids the store had been shut down and sold, and the previous owner was no where to be found. Some said word had filtered back regarding one hell of a mad German who was lookin’ to slit a certain shopkeeper’s throat! We’ll never know, but from that day on, Grandpa always packed his own spare clothes!

Written by: Carolyn Beth (Winters) Cunningham - 2008

***

Obituary for Henry Peter Geis

23 May 1854 - 6 July 1927

Geis - Bruder Peter Geis wurde am 23 mai 1854 in alt-messer, russland, geboren. Als jüngling hatte er sich im 20. Lebensjahr zu Gott bekehrt und wurde auf das bekenntnis seines Glaubensin Jesu Tod getauft. 1875 kam er mit seinen lieben Eltern nach Amerika; guerst nach Pettisville, Ohio. Nach kurzem Verweilen in Ohio zog er nach Kansas, 4 meilen westlich von Hillsboro.

Nach sieben Jahren zog er in die Nähe von Durham, wo er bis zu seinem abscheiden weilte. Am 22 Juni 1883 trot er mit schwester Anna Elisabeth Simon in den heiligen Ehebund. Der Herr segnete die ehe mit 11 kindern, 3 Söhnen und 8 töchtern. Eine Tochter mit Namen Sarah, ging dem Vater im 33. Lebensjahre voraus . Am 29 juni 1927 morgens beim Aufstehen wurde Bruder Peter Geis vom Schlag getrossen wodurch er sprachlos und an der rechten Seite gelähmt wurde. Einige Tage schien es, als ob sich seine Lage bessern wollte, doch am 5 juli nachts bekam er einen zweiten schlaganfall, woraus er am 6. juli im glauben an den Herrn Jesus als seinen persönlichen Heiland entschlief. Er hinterlast seine tiefbetrübte Gattin, 10 kinder, eine leibliche Schwester, M. K. Hutchinson von Flint, Michigan, 5 Schwiegersohne, 1 Schwiegertochter, 5 Groskinder, 8 cousinen und viele Freunde, die sein so plötzliches Abscheiden betrauern.

Bruder P. Geis war einer der Gründer dieser Gemeinde. Obwohl er in den letzten Jahren kein aktives Glied war, so nahm er doch regen Anteil an der Besprechung in der Sonntagsschule. Am vorlesten Sonntag Morgen war er noch in der Versammlung und ahnte nicht, dass es das letzten Mal gewesen sei. Bruder Geis erreichte ein alter von 73 Jahren, 1 Monat und 13 Tagen. Das er sehr weit und breit bekannt war, bewies die grose Teilnahme von besuchern von nah und fern. Unsere Kirche war piel zu klein, um alle den Anwesenden Platz zu bieten. Bei der Leichenfeier redete Pros. E.H. Heibert vom Tabor College Hillsboro in der englischen Sprache und unser Nachbarprediger, Bruder Arbeiter, und Unterzeichneter in der deutschen Sprache Worte des Trostes. Möge der Herr alles Trostes unsere Schwester Geis samt ihren Kindern trösten mit vem guten Trost des Wiedersehens durch Jesus Christus.

***

Obituary for Geis, Henry Peter

Geis - brother Peter Geis was born on 23 May 1854 in Alt-Messer, Russia. As a youth, in his 20^th year of life, he came to an understanding of Jesus death and was converted and baptized. With his loving parents he came to America in 1875, first to Pettisville, Ohio. After a short lingering in Ohio, he moved 4 miles west of Hillsboro, Kansas. Seven years later he separated and moved into the vicinity of Durham.

On 22 June 1883 he stepped with sister, Anna Elisabeth Simon into the holy marriage alliance. They were blessed with 11 children, 3 sons and 8 daughters. A daughter named Sarah, preceded her father in death in her 33rd year of life.

When he rose, on the morning of 29 June 1927, brother Peter Geis encountered a blow by which he became speechless and paralyzed on the right side. Just when it seemed he would be improved, on the evening of 5. July he had a second stroke, wherefrom he passed away believing in his personal savior on 6. July. He leaves behind to mourn his sudden death his wife, 10 children, a bodily sister, M. K. Hutchinson of Flint, Michigan, 5 sons-in-law, 1 daughter-in-law, 5 grandchildren, 8 cousins and many friends.

Brother Peter Geis was one of the founders of this community/congregation. Although he was in the last years no active limb, he joyfully participated in Sunday School discussions. When he read at the Sunday morning meeting no one suspected that it would be the last time. Brother Geis reached the age of 73 years, 1 month and 13 days. A great many visitors came from near and far to participate for he was well known. Our present church was too small to offer all a place. Professor E. H. Hiebert of the Hillsboro Tabor College spoke at the funeral celebration in the English language while our neighborhood preacher Brother Arbeiter, signed in the German language words of comfort that through Jesus Christ Sister Geis and children would have their reunion.

Organizing Genealogy and Family History Documents, Records, Papers, Etc.

2011-03-28T18:03:00.000-07:00

SUPPLIES

Hanging File Folder Tote

4 Different Colors of Hanging Folders

Manila File Folders

File Folder Labels

Black Writing Pen

Hilighters to Match Colored Hanging File Folders

***

INSTRUCTIONS

Have a pedigree chart handy, either on paper or a computer near by.

Color Coded Pedigree

Green - Your Paternal Grandfather's Line

Red - Your Paternal Grandmother's Line

PURPLE - Your Maternal Grandfather's Line

Yellow - Your Maternal Grandmother's Line

This is a red file. According to the color coded pedigree above this would be Your Paternal Grandmother's Line. The tabs are based on surnames within that line. I like to place mine alphabetically, but you do what's best for you.

The manila folders holds individual families within the surname. These files would go into the "Vallance" folder and be arranged from youngest to oldest. Vallance, John b. 1833 was married first to Wright, Almeda. Note the "M1".

Vallance, John b. 1833 was married second to Burns, Julia b. 1853. Note the M2. Include as much of the birth date as you know. This is especially important when a folder holds multiple men with the same first name.

Here is an example of a complete birth date written out. This file holds information on Wiggins, John b. 29 Jan 1741. Married to Guy, Elizabeth, b. unknown. In this file you will find paper work relating to this family. You might wonder where information on Guy, Elizabeth is found as a child. She is found in a red folder with surname label GUY. As a child, up until she marries, her information is found in the manila folder bearing her father's name, her mother written below his. Women are always found with father or husband.

You see here that the red folder, labeled Wiggins, holds many files. All men in this hanging file have the last name Wiggins and are direct descendants.

Voila!

***

TIPS

1. Sometimes you have papers that relate to a line and not any one particular individual in that line. You may just need to add another manila folder with a description and put it behind the named files. You may need to create another hanging folder, the appropriate color, and label the tab with the surname and contents --- like "Wiggins - Unknown". In a file such as this you may choose to have several manila folders for different unknown Wiggins families or individuals.

2. Don't let your folders and files get cluttered. Periodically you may need to go through and get rid of the clutter.

3. It's helpful to create a master list and/or log in each surname hanging folder. A quick reference as to where you've searched and where you would like to search, along with findings.

4. You may also choose to keep some kind of contact list or folder for each surname. A list of cousins or helpful people, addresses, email and/or phone numbers.

Sandy (Susie) Gemmer (Klein) {Adopted within the family}

2010-12-13T16:51:00.000-08:00

Thought I'd share an interesting piece of family history. This photo is of Henry "Hank" Klein and wife Lila Faye Lemmon. The cute little darling with them is their adopted daughter Susie. Doesn't she 'look' like part of the family? Well, that's because she is. Her biological parents are Beverly Van Houten and Edson Gemmer. Her biological grandmother is Martha Klein, Hank's sister.

Thank you to my Grandmother Dorothy Wolter Morris for filling in the blanks on this mystery. Where would we all be without the sharing of knowledge?

The letter ł

2010-10-01T23:35:00.000-07:00

This page is taken from the Polish Declarations of Admiration and Friendship for the United States. It is a presentation of the first 13 manuscript volumes of a larger collection of 111 volumes compiled in Poland in 1926 and delivered to President Calvin Coolidge at the White House to honor the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Richly illustrated with original works by prominent Polish graphic artists, the collection includes the greetings and signatures of national, provincial, and local government officials, representatives of religious, social, business, academic, and military institutions, and approximately 5 ½ million school children. This searchable online presentation is a complete facsimile of the six oversized presentation volumes and the seven volumes of secondary school signatures. If you click on the page you will see listed:

Merłowicz M.

I also found this - No idea what it says, but I will find out!

Merłowicz - w grupie nazwisk pochodzących od podstawy marl-, marł-, por. z-marły, marlić się ‘dostawać zmarszczek’.

Merłowicz - a group of names derived from the base-marl, marl-, cf the-Marly, marlić to ' get wrinkles. `

Hmmm...

Michael & Augusta (Schmidt) Klein

2010-09-26T00:06:00.000-07:00

John Merłowicz, Isidora Swojbocan and baby daughter Clara

2009-12-03T09:17:00.000-08:00

Thank you Cousin Pam Rogers for providing me with this photo of our Great Grandparents John Merłowicz and Isidora Swojbocan. John is holding Eleanor, their granddaughter and Pam's mother. When I saw it I thought, "Where have I seen them before?" I just couldn't place it, but they looked so familiar. I thought really hard for a minute or two, then burst out laughing, "Of course they look familiar; of course I've seen them before, just not here. Oh, how I love my ancestors!

JOHN MERLOWICZ & FAMILY

Austrian Poland, a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire from 1772 until 1917, now in southern Poland and western Ukraine.

(1871)

John Merłowicz born 19 Dec 1871 in Stanislawow, Austria now Ivano Frankovsk, Ukraine.

Birth of John US Census state birthplace as Austria, mother tongue Croatian (1920) and birthplace Poland, mother tongue Little Russian (1930)

(1893)

Married: Isidora Swojbocan (Nickname: Dorka Americanized Dorothy) in Austria

(1898)

10 October 1898 John Merłowicz Arrived at the Port of Honolulu Territory of Hawaii

(1898-1900)

Eudoxia born in Pauszowka, Czortkow, Galicia, Austria which after WWII in 1939 became Palashivka, Chortkiv, Ternopil, Ukraine

Birth of Eudoxia (Stated on mother's passport, see below), Eudocha (Americanized Edith) born in Austria

(1906)

John went around the tip of South America, Came by way of Hawaii, arriving in San Francisco 1906...2-3 days after the big earthquarke and fire. Stayed to help rescue people about 3 days. --Source: Clifford Morris

Through research we know that people were offered free passage to Seattle via Clipper Ships.

(1911)

12 April, 1911 Dorka and 11 year old Endocha (spelling Marlowycz) arrive via Bremen at Ellis Island. Ethnicity Austria-Ruthenian. Last place of residence Pausziwka, Galicia.

ISIDORA'S PASSPORT

Page 1:
Name: Merlowycz, Isidora
Residence: Pauszowka
District: Czortkow
Country: Galicia
****************************************
Page 2 : Isidora's Description

Statue : middle
Year of Birth : 1875
Hair : brown
Eyes : grey blue
Mouth, Nose: Are proportioned
Face : Oval
*****************************************
Page 4: Description of Daughter

Name : Eudoxia
Born : Pauszowka, Czortkow, Galicia
Age : 12
Single
Statue : middle
Face : oval
Hair Color: dark
Eyes : Blue

*explanation posted by Wasyl on the Ukrianian Genealogy Forum.

"The term Ruthenian comes from the latin term which was used for the peoples who inhabited what is now Western Ukraine, i.e. the "Rutheni". The Austro-Hungarian empire used the designation Ruthenian for the peoples of Galicia (Halych in Ukrainian)who were Greek Catholics, i.e. Catholics who followed the Byzantine Rite of the Church but who were under the Pope of Rome. All landing documents and ship manifests from the 1890s through the first World War listed the immigrants who came from Galicia and who were Greek Catholic as Ruthenian. The Ukrainians ceased using this term following WW I. Immigrants from Transcarpatho and Carpatho Ukraine still use this term in the USA and they are subjects of the Byzantine Catholic Archdiocese of Pittsburgh and the Byzantine Rite Dioceses of Passaic, NJ, Parma, OH and Van Nys, CA. The Ukrainian Greek Catholics are congregants of the Archeparchy of Philadelphia, and the Eparchies of Stamford, CT, St. Josaphat of Parma, OH and St. Nicholas in Chicago, IL. In searching for ancestors from Eastern Europe in the ship manifests and immigration cards prior to WW I look for citizenship: Austria or Austria-Hungary; look for "race" as RUTHENIAN and religion as Greek Catholic or Gr.Catholic. This is the way such documents listed these immigrants.

(1912)

21 Jan 1912 Birth of Clara Agnes

(1915)

15 March 1915 Birth of Frank

(1920)

• July 1920 - September 1920: Stanislawow, Austria becomes Stanyslaviv, Galician Soviet Socialist Republic

U.S. Census for Wa>King>Enumclaw Precinct South Ward Series T625 Roll 1924 page 101

MARLOVICZ, John (38) Came to US - 1889, Alien, Read - Yes, Write - Yes, b. Austria, mother tongue - Coratian, pb. Austria, Language - Croatian, Farmer, Dairy
MARLOVICZ, Dorthea , wife, (43) Came to US - 1911, Read - No, Write - No, b. Austria, mother tongue - Coratian, pb. Austria, Language - Croatian
MARLOVICZ, Edith, daughter, (21) Came to US - 1911, Read - Yes, Write - No, b. Austria, mother tongue - Croatian
MARLOVICZ, Clara A., daughter, (8) b. Washington, pb. Austria
MARLOVICZ, Frank J. (4 and 9/12) b. Washington, pb. Austria

(1928)

11 April 1928 John Merlowicz Declaration of Intention

(1930)

• September 1920 - September 1939: Stanislawow, Austria becomes Stanisławów, Poland, capital of the Stanisławów Voivodship

U.S. Census for: Enumclaw, King, Washington; Roll: 2490; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 279; Image: 84.0.

MERLOWICZ, John, Head (61) married, age married - 24, read & write - yes, b. Poland, pb. Poland,
language - "Little Russia", year immigrated 1900, naturalized, able to speak English - yes, Dairyman, Dairy Farm
MERLOWICZ, Dorothy (57), married, age married 20, read and write - yes, b. Poland, pb. Poland,
language spoken "Little Russia", year immigrated 1911, Naturalized, speaks English, farm laborer, Dairy Farm
MERLOWICZ, Frank (15), single, b. Washington

(1930)

United States Federal Census

NYKORUK, James- b. abt 1893 ??, Head, age 37, married at 19, b. Austria, parents b. Austria, language spoken in home of birth - Croatian, immigrated 1911, Alien
NYKORUK, Edith- b. abt 1898, Wife , age 32, married at 25 years, b.?, parents b. Austria, language spoken Croatian, immigrated 1911, Alien
NYKORUK, Joseph- b. abt 1915, Son
NYKORUK, Dorothy E.- b. abt 1925, Daughter, b. Washington

Source Information:
Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. T626, 2,667 rolls. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington D.C.

(1953)

Death on 22 Dec 1955 in Snohomish, Snohomish, Washington, United States

Washington State Death Records for John Merlowicz
Name: John Merlowicz
Date of Death: 22 Dec 1955
Age: 86
Gender: Male
Death Place: Snohomish, Snohomish, Washington

Burial in Enumclaw, King, Washington, United States
MEMORIAL RECORDS OF SOUTH KING COUNTY, WA Vol. VI
Evergreen Memorial Park, Holy Family Krain Cemetery and Veterans Memorial Park, all in Enumclaw

MERLOWICZ Dorothy 114
MERLOWICZ John 114

-OWICZ or -EWICZ

This suffix simply means "son of." Here, too, the difference between -owicz and -ewicz is of no great importance to non-linguists; some names tend to show up with one or the other, and some show up with both. But the basis meaning of X-owicz or X-ewicz is "son of X."

What happened here is that the possessive ending -ow/-ew had the suffix -icz tacked onto it. That suffix -icz or -ycz is how Poles once said "son of," so that "son of Jan" was Janicz or Janycz; "son of Kuba" was Kubicz or Kubycz. But as time went on the Poles were influenced by the tendency of other Slavs to use -owicz or -ewicz instead of plain -icz.

By the way, -owicz is just the Polish way of spelling the suffix we see in many other Slavic names as -ovich or -oviĉ (the so-called haĉek in Czech). The spelling varies from language to language, but it almost always means "son of."

ETYMOLOGY

Originally the term Rusyn was an ethnonym applied to eastern Slavic-speaking ethnic groups, who inhabit or inhabited the cultural and ethnic region of Rus' (Русь) often written through its Latin variant Ruthenia.

Then, the terms "Ruthenians" or "Ruthenes" were the Latin terms referring to Slavic Orthodox people who lived in Grand Duchy of Lithuania (inhabiting the area that is now Belarus and Ukraine.[1]. They spoke the Ruthenian language). It was also the ethnonym used by the Ukrainian kozaks to describe themselves.

After the area of White Russia (Belarus) became part of the Russian Empire, the people of the area were seen as a sub-group of Russians, and they were named White Russians as the name of the region of White Russia (Belorusians in Ruthenian and Russian means White Russians). The Belorusian language in the area evolved from the Ruthenian language.

Later "Ruthenians" or "Ruthenes" were used as a generic term for Greek Catholic inhabitants of Galicia and adjoining territories up until the early 20th century who spoke Western dialects of the Ukrainian language and called themselves "Русины" (Rusyny).

The language these "Ruthenians" or "Ruthenes" spoke was also called the "Ruthenian language"; the name "Ukrajins’ka mova" (Ukrainian language) became accepted by much of the Ukrainian literary class only in the early twentieth century in Austro-Hungarian Galicia. After the dissolution of Austria-Hungary in 1918 the term "Ukrainian" was usually applied to all Ukrainian-speaking inhabitants of Galicia.

At that time languages were associated more with religions: Catholics spoke Polish language, Orthodox spoke Rusyn language .

GALICIA

Galicia, (Galitsia in Polish and Halycyna in Ukrainian) found along the northern slopes of the Carpathian Mountains, was part of the Kingdom of Poland by the 14 century. Consisting of the provinces of Krakow,L'viv (L'wow) and Ternopol (Tarnopol) and Stanisiawow.

In 1772 Poland was divided to the Austrians, Russian, and Prussian . The eastern portions of Galicia went to the Austrian Empire. Galicia was the southeastern part of Poland (called Malopolska "Little Poland" by the Poles, and the western part of Ukraine. In 1795, All of Galicia went to Austria, and Poland was divided between the three empires. Prussia getting parts of western Poland, and Russia the eastern area.

In 1815 the borders of Galicia took its final shape.

During WWI and after is was unclear which empire really had control of Galicia. All claimed it. When Poland fell to the Germans in WWII, Galicia went to German rule. Then the Germans and Russians fought for it.

Arrangements were made by Hitler and Stalin (The Hitler-Stalin Non-aggression Pact", and the United Nations, which allowd for transfers of people between what is now Poland and Ukraine, and Germany. Over 100,000 German colonists from Galicia in December 1939 and January 1940 returned to German. 700,000 Ukrainians were moved to Ukraine.

After WWII, internatinal boundaries were established in their present form. Galicia was basically still divided between Poland and Ukraine, and under Soviet rule until the break up of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Information from "Genealogical Gazetter of Galicia" by Brian J. Leniu

TIMELINE

• Pre–1772: Stanisławów, Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth (within the Kingdom of Poland)

• 1772–1809: Stanislau, Austrian Monarchy (within the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria)

• 1809–1815: Stanislav, Russian Empire

• 1815–1918: Stanislau, Austrian Empire, then Austria–Hungary

• November 1918 – May 1919: Stanyslaviv, West Ukrainian National Republic

• May 1919 – July 1920: Stanisławów, Poland

• July 1920 – September 1920: Stanyslaviv, Galician Soviet Socialist Republic

• September 1920 – September 1939: Stanisławów, Poland, capital of the Stanisławów Voivodship

• October 1939 – June 1941: Stanyslaviv, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic

• July 1941 – August 1944: Stanislau, capital of the Stanislau Kreis, Distrikt Galizien, Generalgouvernement

• August 1944 – 1991: Stanyslaviv, (renamed in 1962: Ivano-Frankovsk), province capital, Ukrainian SSR

• Post–1991: Ivano-Frankivsk, independent Ukraine

Vallance Obits from WCOGS

2009-07-21T12:54:00.000-07:00

Let me just sing some praises to the Wood County Chapter The Ohio Genealogical Society (WCOGS). These volunteers provided me a service that I will forever be in their debt for. Never before I have I sent away for genealogical information, but what a blessing to obtain records of relatives, even if they didn't necessarily tell me what I had hoped they would. Roll Call:

JAMES VALLANCE SR.

Wood County Sentinel
20 May 1869

Mr. James Valens, Sr. should read Mr. James Vallance, Sr.

Bled to Death.---On Monday morning May 14th, Mr. James Valens Sr., resident of Montgomery Township in this county, left his home to chop wood about forty rods distant(40 rods is 660 feet or 220 yards or .13 of a mile). At noon, as usual, his wife blowed the dinner-horn for him, and he not coming the wife started in search of him. When about ten rods (160 feet 55 yards or .01 of a mile) from the house she found him lying near the fence dead. The unfortunate man had cut his foot in a fearful manner, and had started for home but did not succeed before weakened by the loss of blood. His wife found him lying upon the wet ground, with his head resting on a chunk of wood. He was an elderly man and the only support of the bercaved (bereaved) wife.

*James Vallance Senior is my 3rd Great Grandfather. He was born in Pennsylvania around 1803.

SARAH STUMP

WCS 22, October 1885

Mrs. Sarah Stump of Portage twp., died on Monday night of last week at the age of 44 years, under circumstances that lead to the belief that death resulted from eating cabbage that had been "paris greened" to kill the cabbage worms. Her daughter, Hattie Vallance, died on the Tuesday previous under similar circumstances.

*Sarah Wise Vallance Stump died 12 Oct 1885
*Hattie Vallance died 6 Oct 1885

*Sarah Wise married first Joseph Vallance, son of James Vallance Sr. and Elizabeth Brubaker Vallance, died in the Civil War. Sarah married second Samuel Byron Stump.

ELIZABETH VALLANCE

WCS 9 April 1885

Old Mrs. Vallance, a pioneer of this county, died at her home south of Freeport on Sunday.

*My 3rd Great Grandmother, maiden name Brubaker, born about 1802 in Pennsylvania, wife of James Vallance Sr., died 5 April 1885.

JOHN VALLANCE

DS 8 July 1913

Heart trouble and other complications is given as the cause of the death of John Vallance, aged 51 who died at the Wood County Infirmary Monday night. The funeral will be held at the infirmary Wednesday about one o'clock. Rev. Orwig of Bowling Green will officiate. The deceased was an unmarried man who was born near Prairie Depot May 8, 1862. Up until last February he had always lived in that vicinity. So far as could be determined he had no living relatives. He leaves man, friends and acquaintances in Montgomery township.

*Son of Sarah Wise Vallance Stump and Joseph Vallance who died in the Civil War. Joseph Vallance is the son of James Vallance Sr. and Elizabeth Brubaker Vallance.

Merłowicz born Stanislawow, Austria

2009-06-14T14:39:00.000-07:00

(1871)
19 Dec. 1871- John Merlowicz born Stanislawow, Austria
*Reference USA Declaration of Intention

(1898)
10 Oct. 1898- John Merlowicz immigrated from Bremen, Germany arriving at the port of Honolulu the territory of Hawaii. On the vessel "Gladda"
*Reference USA Declaration of Intention

**H. F. Glade traveled between Austria/Poland and Honolulu

(1911)
12 April 1911 Ellis Island- Immigration of Dorka (Swojbocan) age 34 and Eudocha age 11 Marlowicz Interpretation of Isidora's Passport:
Page 1: Name: Merlowycz, Isidora
Residence: Pauszowka
District: Czortkow
Country: Galicia

Page 2: Isidora's Description
Statue: middle
Year of Birth: 1875
Hair: brown
Eyes: grey blue
Mouth, Nose: Are proportioned
Face: Oval

Page 4: Description of Daughter
Name: Eudoxia
Born: Pauszowka, Czortkow, Galicia
Age: 12 Single
Statue: middle
Face: oval
Hair Color: dark
Eyes: Blue
(1920)
• July 1920 - September 1920: Stanyslaviv, Galician Soviet Socialist Republic
Federal Census for Wa>King>Enumclaw Precinct South Ward Series T625 Roll 1924 page 101
MARLOVICZ, John (38)Came to US-1889, Alian, Read-Yes, Write -Yes, b. Austria, mother tongue-Coratian, pb. Austria, Language-Croatian, Farmer, Dairy
MARLOVICZ, Dorthea, wife,(43) Came to US - 1911, Read - No, Write - No, b. Austria, mother tongue-Coratian, pb. Austria, Language-Croatian
MARLOVICZ, Edith, daughter,(21) Came to US-1911, Read-Yes, Write - No, b. Austria, mother tongue-Croatian
MARLOVICZ, Clara A., daughter,(8) b. Washington, pb. Austria MARLOVICZ, Frank J.(4 and 9/12) b. Washington, pb. Austria
(1928)
11 April 1928- Signed US Declaration of Intention
(1930)
• September 1920 - September 1939: Stanisławów, Poland, capital of the Stanisławów Voivodship
Census for: Enumclaw, King, Washington; Roll: 2490; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 279; Image: 84.0.
MERLOWICZ, John, Head (61) married, age married-24, read & write-yes, b. Poland, pb. Poland, language-"Little Russia", year immigrated 1900, naturalized, able to speak English- yes, Dairyman
MERLOWICZ, Dorothy (57), married, age married 20, read and write-yes, b. Poland, pb. Poland, language spoken "Little Russia", year immigrated 1911, Naturalized, speaks English, farm laborer
MERLOWICZ, Frank (15), single, b. Washington
(1953)
22 Dec. 1953- Death Snohomish, Snohomish, Washington Washington State Death Records for John Merlowicz
Name: John Merlowicz
Date of Death: 22 Dec 1955
Age: 86
Gender: Male
Death Place: Snohomish, Snohomish, Washington
MEMORIAL RECORDS OF SOUTH KING COUNTY, WA Vol. VI Evergreen Memorial Park, Holy Family Krain Cemetery and Veterans Memorial Park, all in Enumclaw
MERLOWICZ Dorothy 114
MERLOWICZ John 114

In genealogy there's a common phrase used for an ancestor or line that dead ends, they're called a "brick wall". In my family my paternal great grandfather, John Merlowicz, is a "brick wall", so-to-speak. So is his wife, Isidora Dorthea Swojbocan. I've hit walls before, usually I find a way to jump them, but this one has been almost insurmountable. Sunday, I visited the LDS Family History Center. It had been awhile since I'd checked Ancestry and I felt prompted to try variations of GGrandfather's last name.

This time "Merlowicz" had several hits. My GGrandfather on the 1930 census and several other men carrying the same surname: Hramar Merlowicz, Fed Merlowicz, Fedio Merlowicz, Michal Merlowicz, Micolaj Merlowicz, and Nicolaus Merlowicz. Common demonimator? Pauszowka, Czortkow, Galicia. As if finding the information on all these men wasn't sweet enough my GGrandfather's naturalization records popped up as well. The spelling is no longer a question. He now has a birth date and a birth place. So, GGrandfather Merlowicz, if you're listening, "I love you and I promise, I promise, I will find our family-they will not be forgotten!"

Nancy Jeanette Winters Morris & Alecia Katherine Morris

2009-03-30T12:17:00.000-07:00

Originally, this photo was a pocket picture my father carried on his person when he did his night water-jumps as a Green Beret for the U.S. Army. Russ suggested I touch it up, but I was hesitant. Hesitant because part of the charm of the photo is the antiquity that's occurred over time, and part of it's history is how it became so worn.

As I started healing the photo I thought about how young my mother looks. Isn't she darling? It's the summer of 1968, she's twenty years old, and my father is stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She had a fondness for dying her hair and I believe she once told me that at this particular time it was blue-black. It's amazing to me how feelings change as I look at pictures over time. When I was a little girl it meant something very different to me than it does now. It has always been one of my favorites. No family is perfect. I have definitely had my times of frustration, but as I healed this picture I found a part of my heart healing along with it.

I'm thankful for the gospel. I have a testimony of eternal families, love, and forgiveness. While I've made no secret of the fact that I do not enjoy getting older, I am grateful for the maturity age brings with it and the ability to look beyond the human errors we are all guilty of, at one time or another, and realize that in the end all that really matters is that we love unconditionally. To do anything less holds the heart captive.

Adam Vallance

2009-03-06T08:56:00.000-08:00

This is a picture of Adam Vallance the 3rd. Born 3 April 1838, son of Adam Vallance and Elizabeth Jane Wible.

Adam Vallance Timeline

Father of James Vallance (Pennsylvania, Ohio)

I love tracking this line. It is a bit of a mystery. Please, if you have any information regarding this man, his wife, or his children, please email me. I would love to share whatever information I have. Following is a time line I've created from 1763-1837. Included are Adam and his children on a variety of Tax Censuses and Adam's will.

(1763)
We learn, from Reverend Dr. Dorr's Historical account of Christ and St. Peter's Churches, Philadelphia, that in July, 1763, the "back inhabitants," Bedford, with other points, were in such distressed condition from the "inroads of the savages," that the congregation of Christ and St. Peter's Episcopal Churches of Philadelphia, at the instance of their Rector, Reverend Richard Peters, contributed the sum of 662 pounds 3s for their relief, and after corresponding with the minister and wardens of the Episcopal Church at Carlisle, for information, sent "supplies of flour, rice, medicine, and other necessaries, together with two chests of arms and half a barrel of powder, four hundred pounds of lead, two hundred of swan shot, and one thousand flints."
(Source: A Short History of Bedford County, Charles N. Hickok, from An Illustrated History of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, pub. Wm. H. Egle, 1876.)
Contributed for use by the Bedford County Genealogy Project

(1785)
Martha born Phillidelphia, Pennsylvania and dies same year Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Church located in Berks County, Pennsylvania.

(1786)
Elizabeth born Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(1789)
John born Pennsylvania (Marries Anna Amick)

(1790)
Bedford Census shows no presence of Vallance surname only Valuntine/Valentine. Adam Wible is not present.

(1792)
Catherine born Pennsylvania

(1795)

Mary M. born Pennsylvania (Marries into surname Hetrick)

(1797)
Valentine born Pennsylvania (Marries first name Mary, last name unknown. His son, John R. dies in Elkhart, Indiana.)

(1800)
Census for Bedford, Pennsylvania - Adam Vallance not listed, but Adam Wibble is accounted for as well as the Sipes and other families his posterity later marries into.

(1801)
Martha and Rachel born Pennsylvania (Twins)? (Martha marries John Glass - 1880 Census shows her in New Durham, La Porte, Indiana. Father born Scotland, Mother born New York. Widowed. Her oldest son James V. is with her.)

(1803)
James born Pennsylvania (Marries Elizabeth Brubaker. Married in PA, oldest children born Fayette, Pennsylvania. Moves to Ohio.)

(1806)
Adam born Bethal, Bedford, Pennsylvania (Marries Elizabeth Jane Wible. Stays in Bedford, PA which becomes Fulton, PA. His son Adam moves to Madison, Sandusky, Ohio.)

(1810)
Census for Dublin Bedford, Pennsylvania - Adam Vallance not listed, but Adam Wibble is accounted for as well as the Sipes and other families his posterity later marries into.

(1814)
Census: Dublin Township Tax List (Now Fulton County)
Vallams Adam 59 Weaver
Vallams John 26 Shoemaker
Benson, James 57 Weaver * I believe his son married Adam's daughter Elizabeth
Wible, Adam 43 Farmer

(1820)
Census: DublinTwp., Bedford Co.
Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Michael S. Caldwell. msc@juno.com

1820 PA Census: Bedford Co. Dublin Township Asterisks (*) indicate unclear words or numbers.
Adam WIBLE Males: 3 (<10);>John VALLANCE Males: 1 (<10);>Adam VALLANCE Males: 1 (<10);>

(1825)
Duplicate Poor Tax List -1825, Dublin Township, Bedford County, Pa.
(Valance/Vallance and a couple other names of interest taken from a very long list)

Armstrong, John
Blubaker, George
Dishong, Mathias
Valance, Adam
Valance, John
SINGLE FREEMEN
Vallance, James
Wible, William
Wible, John

We the subscribers two of the Justices of the peace of Dublin Township Bedford County Do Approve and Allow this assessment Witness our hand and Seals 30th Day of March AD 1825
John Davis
Mathias Cline
Michael Wollet & Philip Newman overseers
[Transcribed by Carol Eddleman.]

(1828-1830)
Adam Vallance’s Will

In the name of God amen, I Adam Valance of Dublin Township, Bedford County and State of Penna. being in good health of body and of sound and disposing mind and memory praised be God for the same and being desirous to settle my worldly affairs whilst I have strength and capacity so to do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills made by me at any time heretofore and first and principally I commit my soul into the hands of my creator who gave it and my body to the earth to be interred in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors herein after named and as to such worldly estate. Wherewith it pleased God to intrust me I dispose of the same as followeth.

I will that all my just debts as shall be by me owing at my death together with my funeral expenses and all charges touching the proving of or otherwise concerning this my will, shall in the first place out of my personal estate and effects be fully paid and satisfied and from and after payment thereof and subject thereunto. Then my beloved wife Catherine her living on the place as long as she lives in case she survives me, if she choses to go of it. I then allow her two cows, one fat hog and twelve bushel of wheat yearly, also three head of sheep all to be fed of the place and her own household effects.

I also give and bequeath to my eight children- Elizabeth Binson, John Valance, Catherine Valance or her three children, Mary Hetrick, Valentine Valance, Rachel Valance now married, Martha Glass, and James Valance the sum of one dollar each as full compensation as their share, and not to be paid by my executor until seven year after my decease.

I also give and bequeath to my son Adam Valance, the plantation and tract of land I now live on with all my personal property except what my beloved wife Catherine chooses to keep, he complying with the above as stated, to him his heirs and _____ forever. I make ordain my son Adam Valance Executor of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Adam Valance to this my last will and testament have set my hand and seal, declaring it to be my last will and testament dated the seventeenth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight, 1828.

Signed in presence of
John Davis Samuel Newman

Bedford County for be it remembered that on the 23 day of August AD 1830. Personally appeared before the Subscriber Register for the probate of wills and granting letters of administration in the for said county, John Davis Esq. and Samuel Newman the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing instrument of writing who being duly sworn according to the law depose and say that they were personnaly present and hereto and saw the testator Adam Valance sign, seal, publish, pronounce, & declare the foregoing instrument of writing as and for his last will and testament that at the time ____ of the testator was of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding according to the best of their knowledge and belief. That they subscribed their names thereto as witnesses in presence of the testator and at his request.
Job Mann – Register John Davis
Samuel Newman

Be it remembered that on the 23 day of August A.D. 1830 Letters
Testamentary were granted to Adam Vallance Executor in the foregoing will named, his having been duly sworn according to Law.

(1837)
CHAPTER XCIII.
LICKING CREEK.
Organization of the Township in 1837 - Taxable Inhabitants, Mills and Industries in 1838 - Personal Sketches of Prominent Men - Austin's Tannery - Saluvia Postoffice - Green Hill Presbyterian church - Harrisonville Odd-Fellows' Lodge.

LICKING CREEK was organized as a township of Bedford county, September 21, 1837. It derives its name from the principal stream of the township. The surface is hilly, broken and mountainous; in the valleys are some fine farms, well- improved. The township contains the two small villages of Harrisonville and Saluvia. The following list of the taxable inhabitants of Licking Creek township in 1838 is copied from the assessment books in the commissioners' office at Bedford:

Listed among many were:
Adam Vallance (son of Adam Sr.)
Adam Wible

I believe...

2009-02-17T18:01:00.000-08:00

...families are forever. There is nothing sweeter than knowing no matter what life challenges are encountered, the Lord is aware of each of us intimately. He knows our potential and our weaknesses. He uses both for our good, and the good of others. We are all inextricably connected, and it is by our choices we are touched and touch the lives of others.

As I have followed promptings to reach out to living grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins we have all been changed for the better. Regardless of religious beliefs it remains that all feel connected and drawn to one another. I testify the spirit of Elijah is real... hearts are being turned and I know this has much to do with those who have gone before us and are presently engaged in good works on the other side of the veil. Our ancestors are not silenced by death, but only waiting for the living to remember them. Family history is so much more than finding family names - in large part you find yourself as well, you find answers to present day problems and questions as you unfold their lives and learn from them.

Derastus Lee & Mary E. (Vallance) Lee

2008-12-27T11:49:00.000-08:00

This information was found at Wood County, Ohio 1895 History, pages 565-566. I've read it before, but never seen the photos. This document was the clue to my Grandmother Elizabeth Vallance's maiden name, BRUBAKER. A photo of her daughter gives me a glimpse into what my "proven" Vallance line looks like. I think we stem from Adam Vallance. Thank you, thank you, whoever put these photos and information online! If anyone knows these faces PLEASE email me!

DERASTUS LEE. It is an undisputed fact that Bloom township contains some of the leading farmers of Wood county, and among the foremost of these is the gentleman whose name introduces this sketch. He is the representative of one of our pioneer families, those who endured the hardships, privations and difficulties attending a settlement in the ` ` Black Swamp " in the early -forties," and whose labor transformed the heavily timbered wilderness into productive fields. He passed his youth in the midst of the most primitive surroundings.

His grandfather, Lemuel Lee, was born in Connecticut. He was compelled to make his own way in the world from an early age, owing to the death of his father and the scattering of the family, and when a young man he came to Ohio, locating in Columbiana county. At that time Ohio had not yet been admitted as a State; within its limits was to be found much land upon which no "pale-face " had ever set foot, and in fact it was only along the eastern border that it was safe for a white man to take up his abode. Lemuel Lee married a Miss Jackson, and they had a large family, of whom six sons and two daughters lived to adult age. He was not a man to accumulate property, and in his circumstances there was but little opportunity to do so, but he made an honest living. He died about 1854.

George J. Lee, one of the older sons, born in 18o6, was our subject's father. Reared on a frontier farm, his schooling was very limited; indeed, to use his own expression, he was "educated with the grubbing hoe." During his boyhood but few schools were to be found, and they were the subscription schools patronized by the well-to-do classes. He was a large boy before he ever attended one, and then the humiliation of reciting in classes composed of children much smaller than he almost drove him to leave school, which he would have done had it not been for the encouragement of the teacher, his uncle, James Gordon. This one term of three months was the limit of his educational advantages. On February 4, 183o, he married Miss Hannah Wollam, a native of the same county, born in 1805. Her father, Henry Wollam, was a well-to-do farmer of that neighborhood, owning an excellent farm which he had redeemed from its primitive state, and improved with some unusually good buildings for that time. Before his marriage George Lee had learned the tanner's trade; but an attempt to engage in it met with little success, and he settled upon a farm on Beaver creek, where our subject first saw the light. As time passed, and the future of his children became an important problem, he decided to go farther west where land was cheaper, and September 25, 1841, he started for Wood county with his household goods in a large wagon, on which his wife rode with the younger members of the family, which then included six children. This conveyance was drawn by two oxen, with two horses as leaders. Ten days later they arrived in Montgomery township, having made a short visit in Richland county with friends, and a temporary home was made with John Vosburg until a suitable location was found. Mr. Lee entered 16o acres of land, which was in its primitive condition-not one tree having been cut upon it-and his first work was to clear a spot for the building of his log cabin. His brother, Henry, had accompanied the party, and he entered eighty acres adjoining, then returned home, where he died a few years afterward, having no direct heirs, and a onethird interest fell to our subject's father, who later bought the remaining two-thirds. He also bought another tract of forty acres, and at the time of his death owned 280 acres. He was a man of influence in his community, Democrat of the "Jacksonian stripe," and he took great interest in public affiairs. For many years he and his wife were members of the Protestant Methodist Church. This venerable pioneer couple lived several years beyond their " Golden Wedding Anniversary"; they died within two and one-half years of each other, both having passed fourscore years, and their remains rest in West Millgrove cemetery.

Ten children were born to them as follows: Henry, January 10, 1831, living in Jerry City; Derastus, April 27, 1832; Samuel, August 29, 1833, died in Bloom township, May 16, 1855, of consumption; Mary J., April 7, 1835, married Adam Graham, of Montgomery township; Jackson, June 19, 1837, enlisted August 15, 1861, in Company H, 49th O. V. I., was wounded at

Chickamauga, September 19, 1863, and died the next day, his body never being recovered; Milo, March 15, 1839, died in Bloom township, April 30, 1858, of consumption; Sarah A., October 18, 1840, married Philip Brubaker, of Bloom township; Susanna, May 9, 1842, is the wife of Benton Musser, of Gratiot county, Mich.; John H., September 11, 1844, died of consumption, January 13, 1862, in Bloom township; and Benjamin F., October 27, 1846, died March 23, 1847.

Derastus Lee was about nine years old when he came to this county, but there was plenty of work upon his father's farm, and even at that age he could "pick brush " in the clearing. With no modern machinery and but few tools, and those of the rudest sort, the work of the farm and household required the help of all, and schools were but little thought of, so that his educational opportunities were very limited. After he attained his majority he for one term attended the select school taught by Alfred Kelley, the pioneer teacher of West Millgrove. His own experience has given Mr. Lee a great desire to see facilities for education brought within the reach of everyone, and he is the ardent supporter of any improvement in the schools of to-day. On September 25, 1858, he married Miss Mary E. Vallance, a native of Ashland county, born June 22, 1837. Her parents, James and Elizabeth (Brubaker) Vallance, came to Wood county in September, 1849, settling in Perry township. She had fared no better than her husband in educational advantages, attending the schools of her day for about three months. At the time of his marriage Mr. Lee had by work and " dickering" secured a team of horses, a wagon, a plow, and a harrow, the first horse, which he bought of his uncle, Lemuel Lee, being paid for by $30 in money and the chopping of ten acres of timber. With this outfit he started in business on his own account, taking the old homestead on shares. His residence for the first eleven years was in an old log school house which he had fitted up. There were many days of toil and but few of recreation in those years; but he and his wife were young, strong and ambitious, and their mutual affection made their. old cabin a happy home. During this period Mr. Lee bought 16o acres of timber land in Section 12, Bloom township, which he still owns although he has never lived there. In the spring of 1871, he purchased eighty acres in Section 10, to which he moved. For twenty years he was engaged in threshing, in addition to farming, sometimes with a partner, sometimes without. His work was always faithfully done, and while thus employed he gained a wide circle of friends in different parts of the county. He did not spare himself over his tasks, and frequently when he had been busy up to a late hour of the night, he has crawled up to the side of a straw stack to sleep till morning. He has added to his land at various times until he now has nearly Boo acres, making him one of the largest landowners in Wood county, and most of his property is good farming land, which can not be said of some other extensive holders. Probably there is not another instance in Wood county of a poor boy becoming, through his own efforts, the owner of so large an estate. Industry, wise and economical management, and shrewd bargaining have made this progress possible, his estimable wife deserving, also, a large share of credit.

Of their ten children, eight are now living in Bloom township. The names of all, with dates of birth, are as follows: James W., February 17, 1860, is a prosperous young farmer; Laura E., March 3, 1861, married Abraham Loe; John F., September 25, 1862, is a well-to-do farmer; Jacob E., July 31, 1864, is at home; Charles W., October 11, 1867, died February 2, 1868; Hattie E., February 6, 1869, married Samuel Dennis, of Bloom Center; Perry M., March 12, 1871, is a progressive young farmer; Florence, June 4, 1873, married Elza Wright, of Bloom township; Mary Ettie, October 1, 1875, died March 21, 1876; and Rhoda V., December 25, 1878, is at home. Among the foundation stones of Mr. Lee's tasteful and commodius residence is a relic of pioneer times-the top stone of an old handmill once belonging to his father's neighbor, Peter Painter, and many a time during his boyhood did Mr. Lee walk through the woods which lay between the two farms, carrying corn which he converted into meal with the aid of that stone.

Coming from a family in which consumption has claimed several members, Mr. Lee's death has been often predicted, yet he is hale and hearty, and bids fair to live many years. At the age of sixty-four he can perform a day's work which would do credit to one twenty years his junior. In October, 1894, he met with a serious injury. While nailing a board on a fence the nail broke and a flying piece struck him in the left eye, entirely destroying the sight. He is a good neighbor, kind-hearted, out-spoken, and a man of strict integrity. In politics Mr. Lee is a Democrat, and he is one of the chief counselors of the party in his locality. He formerly attended conventions and caucuses with great regularity, but he has never been an office seeker, and, although he has served creditably as trustee of his township, he has often declined to become a candidate for other positions. He once led the "forlorn hope " against the overwhelming Republican majority in the county, having been selected by his party as the candidate for county commissioner, and he succeeded in reducing the majority-a notable achievement, as things stood.

Impressions

2008-11-13T20:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I attended a funeral for a 17 year old boy who lost his year long fight with cancer. Coupled with my love for family history, I found myself contemplating many questions. While I don't have the answers to all my questions there are some things I know without doubt.

I know we live to die and we die to live.
I know our merciful Lord intends all his children to have the opportunity for salvation, regardless of when they were born, or opportunities granted or not granted on this earth.
I know I made promises to family members I would never cross paths with on my mortal journey.
I know the dreams and hopes of my ancestors and descendents are imprinted on my palms.
I know families can be together forever.
I know my Savior lives, and with God nothing is impossible.
I know the veil between this life and the next is thin, and if we take time to ponder and listen we can receive personal promptings and answers to our questions.

John Wiggins and Mary Danvers

2008-08-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

John Wiggins is my 4th Great Grandfather. He was born 21 August 1782 in Danbury, Essex, England and is buried at the Church of Woodham, Mortimer, Essex, England.

The 'monster' misery of Ireland; a practical treatise on the relation of landlord and tenant By John Wiggins: Esq. F.G.S. English Agent to Estates in the South and North of Ireland."

John Wiggins was an English agent for over thirty years in Ireland. Excerpts from the above book are also quoted in the following text:

JOURNAL OF THE STATISTICAL AND SOCIAL INQUIRY SOCIETY OF IRELAND.
PART LIII, July, 1878.

The Economic History Of Ireland From The Union To The Famine
By: George O'Brien LITT. D., M.R.I.A
Published in 1921

John Wiggins referenced

2008-08-18T12:00:00.000-07:00

On Local Disturbances in Ireland, and on the Irish Church Question And on the Irish Church Question By George Cornewall Lewis: Esq.

John Wiggins standing as a witness for the Irish

2008-08-18T11:58:00.000-07:00

Report of the Irish Coercion Bill The Causes of Discontent in Ireland, Condition of the People, Comparative Criminality with England, Etc. Etc By Thomas Matthew Ray: Secretary to the Loyal National Sepeal Association of Ireland 1846

John Wiggins fighting for the people of Ireland

2008-08-18T11:57:00.000-07:00

2008-08-18T11:56:00.000-07:00

Johannes Hannes F. Simon and Anna Elizabeth Gertrude Gummerscheimer

2008-08-14T15:34:00.000-07:00

Johannes Hannes F. SIMON and Anna Elizabeth Margaret Gertrude GUMMERSCHEIMER are my 3rd Great Grandparents. Johannes was born 20 Mar 1838 in Alt Bauer, Russia. He died on 11 Dec 1916 in Sedgwick, Kansas. Anna was born in 1838 in Alt Bauer, Russia and died Feb 1898 in Rush, Kansas. They immigrated to the United States 6 January 1876 on the SS City of Montreal with four children: John Conrad (16), Anna Elisabeth (12) who will marry Henry Peter Geis (my 2nd Great Grandparents), Eva Catherine (6), and Evaliss (3).

(1876)
6 January 1876 SS City of Montreal
Place of Origin: Germany Ethnicity: German
SIMON Hannes 37 Male
SIMON Else 37 F
SIMON Hannes 16 Male Minor
SIMON Anna 12 F Spr
SIMON Eva 6 F Child
SIMON Eva Cath 3F Child

In 1880 the family is in Rush, Kansas and by this time they've added two children to their family Alexander and Sarah. In 1881 Jacob, their last child, is born.

Alfred Francis Bartel and Katherine Geis

2008-06-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

This picture was photographed in the 1920's. My Great Grandfather Alfred Francis Bartel and his wife, Katherine Geis, married in Kansas. They were blessed with one daughter, Delpha June Bartel. They both spoke German. Their families migrated to the United States from Russia.

John Mathew Winters and Delpha June Bartel

2008-05-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Pictures of my maternal Grandparents graciously given me by my Aunt Carol. Grandpa Johnny was one of ten children, Grandma June an only child. I have very few memories of them, but I can hear their voices. I can hear my Grandpa Johnny singing "Three Little Fishes". I can hear my Grandmother laughing, my Grandfather begins laughing too. I was just a little girl, sitting in the backseat with my brother, but I remember thinking how fun they were and I wished that I could be with them more often.

Three Little Fishies

Down in the meadow in a little bitty pool

Swam three little fishies and a mama fishie too

"Swim" said the mama fishie, "Swim if you can"

And they swam and they swam all over the dam

Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!

And they swam and they swam all over the dam

"Stop" said the mama fishie, "or you will get lost"

The three little fishies didn't wanna be bossed

The three little fishies went off on a spree

And they swam and they swam right out to the sea

Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!

And they swam and they swam right out to the sea

"Whee!" yelled the little fishies, "Here's a lot of fun

We'll swim in the sea till the day is done"

They swam and they swam, and it was a lark

Till all of a sudden they saw a shark!

Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!

Till all of a sudden they saw a shark!

"Help!" cried the little fishies, "Gee! look at all the whales!"

And quick as they could, they turned on their tails

And back to the pool in the meadow they swam

And they swam and they swam back over the dam

Boop boop dit-tem dat-tem what-tem Chu!

And they swam and they swam back over the dam.

Manley David Winters and Estella May Vallance

2008-05-20T09:24:00.000-07:00

Maternal Great Grandparents Manley David Winters and Estella May Vallance married on June 1, 1902 in Alba, Antrim, Michigan. They had ten, yes, ten children: Florence Bell, Leona Vivian, Forrest Calvin, Edna Myrtle, James Alleyne, Manley David Jr., Orah Estella, Matilda June, John Mathew (My Grandfather, and yes it's one 't'), and Audrey Myrel. On census they can be found living in Charlevoix and Genesee, Michigan.

Manley David Winters is the son of James Harvey Winters born Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada and Marceil Wiggins born Moorstown, Ontario, Canada.

Estella May Vallance is the daughter of John Vallance born Fayette, Pennsylvania and Julia Alice Jacobs Burns born Ohio.