Ayers Family

I always approach a new family research project with anticipation. I know that there will be new names and dates and places to discover – I know that we will find heart-break and triumph – there will be mysteries solved – and some things will stay secret.

You see – in this – all families are alike.

My daughter-in-law is the great great granddaughter of William Allen Ayers (1855-1934) and Mary Anne Barlar (1853-1914). Sometime between 1889 – 1892, the couple, along their children, left Giles County, Tennessee and migrated to Travis County, Texas, where they settled near Pflugerville, and where they spent the rest of their lives. William and Mary had a very large family which consisted of 13 children (3 sets of twins!!!).  

It appears that William and Mary’s descendents didn’t stray very far, and the Ayers family has a very strong presence in and around Travis County, Texas. Although I’m just getting started, I’ve been transported back in time by looking at the various records. It’s hard to picture Austin even 50 years ago – let alone 100 years ago! It’s been a fascinating glimpse back in time so far!

In general, the surname Ayers is a long-established surname of early medieval English origin. In modern use, the surname has several spelling variations ranging from Ayers, Ayres, Ayris, Ayars and Air(e)s, to Eayrs, Eyres and Eyers. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Henry Ayer, which was dated 1273, in the “Hundred Rolls of Lincolnshire”, during the reign of King Edward 1, known as “The Hammer of the Scots.”  Read more here about the Ayers surname. 

 

 

One of the Spencer Clan is Gone

This morning I received a note from one of my cousins, Syndi Montoya.  She informed me of the death of Richard Ernest Spencer – my father’s full cousin – and the nephew of my grandmother Pearl Eva Spencer. 

The obituary for Dick Spencer as published in the Standard Examiner –

Richard E. Spencer, 80, of Garland, died April 18, 2011. Services will be held at noon Saturday, April 23, 2011, in the Garland Tabernacle, 140 W. Factory Street, Garland. Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 22, at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home, 111 N., 100 East, Tremonton and from 10:30 to 11:40 a.m. Saturday at the Tabernacle before the service. Interment will follow in the Garland Cemetery, where military honors will be accorded. Post condolences to the family at http://www.rogersandtaylor.com. To see the complete obituary, see the Standard-Examiner’s e-edition.

Garland- A well known area man has passed away after a short illness. Richard E. Spencer, 80, passed away April 18, 2011 at his home in Garland, UT with his loved ones by his side. He was born March 11, 1931 in Garland, UT to Ernest Richard and Cleopha Alberta Peterson Spencer.
Richard served in the Korean War with his area friends and fellow soldiers. Always saying it was pure boredom with moments of pure terror.
After returning from the war, the real Dick Spencer came alive with a passion for racing dragsters, funny cars, Salt Flats cars and some of the hottest street rods around for the day. From building racing cars of all kinds to airplanes, he had a passion for fast. “It can never be fast enough” was his motto.
Dick was a Teamster (truck driver) by profession. He drove for many area companies before going to work for CF Motor Freight out of Salt Lake. He retired February 1, 1993 with a 2 million mile safe driving award. After being retired for six months he went back to work for Miller Brothers Express for another ½ million miles and went to every state but two.
Dick is survived by his Wife Tracy, Children: Gary, Joette, Julie, Kyle and Brandon; step-children Buffy, Adrian and Johnna; 20 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren and two sisters Barbara and Mickey.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 23, 2011 at 12:00 Noon in the Garland Tabernacle, 140 West Factory Street, Garland, UT. Friends may call Friday, April 22, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home, 111 North 100 East, Tremonton UT and Saturday from 10:30-11:40 a.m. at the Tabernacle prior to the service. Interment will follow in the Garland Cemetery where military honors will be accorded.

Although I  never met Dick Spencer or his parents, they hold a special place in my heart – Pearl Eva Spencer named her second born son Richard Ernest Montoya – after her brother.  We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Dick Spencer at this difficult time. 

 

 

July 18th ~ One Day in 1949 ~

A little girl in Wittenberg, Germany:

It is Monday morning, July 18, 1949: When I opened my eyes this morning – I woke with a start of excitement! My name is Christa, and today is my 11th birthday! What surprises will the day hold for me I wonder?! It has been a little over four years now since my father’s tragic death at the end of World War II, and my family and I are slowly and painfully beginning to rebuild our lives. As I dressed and made my way to the kitchen, my two older brothers greet me enthusiastically with “Hertzliche Gluckwunche zum Geburtztag Kleine!” (Best wishes on your birthday little one). My mother – though we don’t have much – has a kleinichkeit (“just a little something”) waiting for me at the breakfast table. A banana – I have never had one! But there’s no time to linger long over breakfast – my mother and oldest brother are preparing to leave for work; my second brother has work in the garden and the rabbit hutch must be cleaned today; as for myself – there is always the housework. I wonder if perhaps I’ll have a spare moment to read a chapter out of my favorite book. I do so dearly love to read. Late this afternoon when we gather together again, I will look forward to having a slice of Erdbertorte (“Strawberry Torte”) which my mother has prepared from strawberries out of our garden. I wonder if it’s too much to hope that there might be some whipping cream to go with that torte?

Brother and Sister

A young boy in Ogden, Utah:

It is Monday morning, July 18, 1949: When I opened my eyes this morning – it was still completely dark and quiet outside, and I am very tired. My name is Richard, and I am 14 years old. I can hear my mother in the kitchen as she prepares my father a thermos of coffee and urges my older brother and younger sister out of bed, It is 4:00 a.m. and we have to hurry – today we are driving to Willard to pick fruit – and we have to get on the road. The dew is all over everything and the air is heavy. I fleetingly contemplate sleeping another hour in the backseat of the car. We have barely made it to the edge of town – now wait a minute – are those truck headlights coming toward us? It invaded us violently and without warning – hot twisted metal, shattered glass and shattered lives – and then complete and utter silence. My head hurts so bad , and I can’t move my jaw – it just hangs limply as I try to call to my family. My mother – I can see her on the highway, but she‘s not moving. Max – Juanita – Where are you?  Are you okay?!  And then blessed darkness.

Max, Juanita and Richard

 

My father did lose his mother and his sister on that day long ago.  That one moment in time changed his life forever.  The family sedan was struck head-on by a produce truck driven by a 19-year old who had been driving all night and had fallen asleep at the wheel.  My grandmother died instantly.  Juanita died some hours later from a head injury.  My father suffered a head injury, a broken jaw and various internal injuries. His brother Max went through intensive rehabilitation for a broken leg and internal injuries; however, he did survive.  My father left home and joined the Army at the age of 17 and ended up stationed in Frankfurt.  My mother went on to graduate from German high school and “tailoring” school. When she was 17 years old, she traveled to the “west” (Frankfurt) to visit an aunt and uncle.  While in Frankfort, she met my father at a pub, and they were married shortly thereafter. Like I say ~ it’s destiny.

 

Memories and Ramblings

Since I spend so much of my free time researching and writing about dead people, I thought it might be a welcomed change of pace (for me and for you) to let you take a small peek into my childhood.

As some of you may know, I was born at Fort Riley, Kansas into a military family.  I spent the first five years of my life overseas in Nurnberg, Germany. 

During the early 1960s the war in Vietnam was beginning to brew and by 1965 the United States was embroiled in combat operations.  Increased guerrilla insurgency in South Vietnam led to the deployment of the 1^st Infantry Division, my father’s division, to Southeast Asia.  It was early 1966 – and we were heading back to Fort Riley, Kansas – where my father would participate in one year of combat training – and then he was scheduled to deploy with his unit to Vietnam.  I was five years old. 

We returned to the United States via a ten-day trip on the USNS Upshur.  I had a lot of fun reading sailors and soldiers who were blogging about the USNS Upshur a/k/a the USNS Upchuck !!!  Apparently military sea travel was not exactly like cruising on the Rhapsody of the Seas!  I have a vivid memory of the muster call (fire drill).  Every hand was required on deck with their life jackets on.  I remember my mother putting life vests on both my younger sister and me and taking us on deck all the while being accompanied by the sounds of wailing sirens.  As little girls, we didn’t understand that it was only a required drill, and we were very frightened.   

USNS Upshur

At the end of the journey, as we neared the shores of the United States, I remember the excitement building.  Everyone was heading to the top deck – including us – and I remember quite clearly passing the Statute of Liberty as we sailed into New York Harbor.  Even as a very small child I understood that I was seeing something special.  Lady Liberty was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and she is the universal symbol of freedom and democracy.  New York City is high up on my list of places to see again, and I hope I make it back there some day.

Once on dry land – my father wasted no time in getting us on the road – and we headed for Kansas.  One thing you need to know about my father – he loved a good road trip – and once he got on the highway there was no stopping him.  And that included little girls whining and fussing in the back seat.  After one particularly long and brutal day on the road my mother finally convinced him to stop at a small motel – where we were I do not know.  After settling into the room we walked across the highway to a small diner.  I had spaghetti which I promptly threw up on the highway as we walked back to our room.  To this day – I get car sick if I have to travel long distances in the back seat.  That night my father tucked me and my sister into bed where we fell asleep watching the Red Skelton Show – and for a small moment in time – all was good with the world.

During our year in Fort Riley, we lived in what my family still calls “the Pink House.”  It was a small two-level duplex, and it was painted – well, pink!  The summer before I started Kindergarten, in preparation for my father’s deployment, he was scheduled to participate in six weeks of specialized training maneuvers at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. Most dependents stayed in Kansas – but my father wanted his family to join him there. In light of my father’s impending departure, my grandmother had arrived from Germany. She would be with us while he was gone, and she was with us that summer in Wisconsin. My parents rented some rooms in a home near his training station in the town of Sparta, Wisconsin. Sparta is a small town on the La Cross River in the western part of the state.

On one random day that year – I found my father sitting on the staircase with his head in his hands and tears trickling down his face. When I asked him what was wrong he told me that it was almost time for him to leave on his tour to Vietnam.  I was a small child and could not understand what he was saying.  I went about my day feeling a great uneasiness settle over me.  What was this Vietnam thing looming over us?

Some time shortly before or right at the time of my father’s deployment our family moved to Salina, Kansas. On the great plains of Kansas – where once stood an old air force base known as Smokey Hill – now stood Schilling Manor (a sub-post of Fort Riley) – the only base ever to be set aside for the wives and children of soldiers assigned to Vietnam. It was known as the “Home of the Waiting Wives.” Our little house was located at 150 Hoover Court.  During the course of the Vietnam war, Shilling Manor became the home of thousands of wives and children of servicemen, of all ranks and branches, serving tours in Vietnam.

All too soon it was time for my father to leave us.  Fortunately my sister and I were too young to fully comprehend the impending heartache.   One day in January of 1967 my father left us.  I was six years old. I remember bits and pieces of that day quite clearly. My father took us to the home of a friend – who was also deploying. The families said their good-byes together and then he was gone. I remember my mother crying silently into a handkerchief as she watched her husband walk out the door. I was frightened and bewildered – I had never seen my mother cry. Only now that I am an adult do I fully appreciate the burden placed upon my mother – a foreign-born woman in a strange new land having the sole responsibility of two small children and a household all alone for 12 months all the while knowing that her husband’s very life would be on the line each and every day.

Unknown to me at the time, but discovered through some research, my father and his unit traveled by train from Fort Riley, Kansas to Oakland, California where they boarded the troop ship USS General John Pope for the three-week trip to southeast Asia. After a beach landing they were shuttled by trucks to what became known as Bearcat Camp. This would be his home for 12 long months.

Bearcat Camp was located some 20 miles northeast of Saigon. It was located in the Viet-Cong infested Mekong Delta.  Legend called the Mekong Delta plain the “Land of Nine Dragons,” named for the nine branches of the mighty Mekong River whose passage to the South China Sea opened into the symbolic mouth of a dragon….and a dangerous dragon it was.

Bearcat Camp - Vietnam

Meanwhile, back in the United States, living at Schilling Manor held many challenges for us as well. Even though I was a young child – and did not really understand the consequences of war – I sensed the unease and stress that surrounded me daily.  We not only heard the death tolls on the evenings news – we lived them in a very real way.

Having a father in Vietnam profoundly changed me (he was deployed twice during his military career).  Of course we counted the days until his return but we were also very aware that a lot of fathers were not returning home.  I have often attempted to explain to my husband and son the trepidation that we felt each time we saw the dark Army car driving up the road with an officer and/or a clergyman inside.  Sadly, even at such a young age, we knew what that meant.  Back in 1967 there was no such thing as the internet and no phone calls came from our father.  We relied solely on the military postal service.  Sometimes my father would be able to record a message on a cassette tape and send it to us.  We looked forward to hearing his voice on those occasions.  Needless to say – checking the mail – was a big deal.  It’s hard to explain the camaraderie that is built with other families when living under these conditions.  My mother has friends that she met at Schilling Manor that she corresponds with to this day. 

Richard Ernest Montoya - One of the Polaroids my dad sent home

Nonetheless, life did go on, and I have many happy memories of our time in Salina, Kansas.  My grandmother was with us, and this eased the burden on all of us while we waited. 

My mother – always the adventurous type – was not content to sit still and mope about for very long.  The four of us took many trips together – the zoo in Manhattan was always a favorite; the old western cattle town of Dodge City where we watched gun-fighting re-enactments on Front Street; the Indian reservations of the Apache, Arapaho, Cheyenne and Comanche tribes; the sacred Pawnee Indian burial grounds; Red Rock Canyon; Horse Thief Canyon; and many picnics at Lake Kanapolis in the Smoky Hill River Valley.

My sis and I had our 15 minutes of fame when we made the front page of The Junction City Republic in February of 1967!  “A Valentine to Vietnam – Judy Montoya, age 6, shows her sister, Joan, age 4, a valentine that they could send to their father, E-6, Richard Montoya, who is stationed in Vietnam.  The girls and their mother, Mrs. Richard Montoya, reside at 150 Hoover Court, Schilling Manor, Salina, Kansas.” The news reporter caught us in a drug store and asked us to pose holding a Valentine’s Day card! 

And just like that – my father was back. 

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Related Articles

• Richard Earnest Montoya – My Dad (curbowfamily.wordpress.com)

 

Oscar Olsen and the Spencer Sisters

Lovina Arsula Spencer – was one of my great grand aunts of the Spencer line – and one of the daughters of Richard Henry Spencer and Lucy Lodica Elmer who was born in Payson, Utah County, Utah on 25 Aug 1879. While still an infant, Lovina’s father relocated the family to Sanpete County where she spent the remainder of her childhood.

Lovina Arsula Spencer Olsen - from the collection of Blaine Spencer

On 15 Mar 1899, at the age of 20 years, Lovina married Oscar Eli Olsen in Mount Pleasant, Sanpete County, Utah. Oscar, the son of Swedish immigrants, was born to James (or Jons) Peter Olsen and Margaret Christina Caroline Miller on 17 Aug 1873 in Utah. He was also the older brother of Henry Peter Olsen who married Lovina’s older sister, Lucy Ann Spencer.

Oscar Eli Olsen

To complicate the marriage triangle a little further – Oscar had previously been married to Lovina’s half-sister Martha Jane Spencer (1870-1895), the daughter of Jerusha Elmer and Richard Henry Spencer. I know – it’s hard to keep up with these large extended Mormon families! 

Martha Jane Spencer

Lovina and Oscar spent the first twenty or so years raising their family in Sanpete County, Utah. The census records are confusing to interpret, but it is believed that Lovina may have helped raised her husband’s son Earl (from his first marriage); Lovina and Oscar appear to have had at least four children of their own: Vernon born in 1901; Alvin Leo born in 1904; William O. born in 1907 and Dean born in 1911. (The records conflict as to whether Dean is a male or a female.) The family owned a home, which was free and clear of a mortgage by 1910. Oscar always lists himself as “farmer” in the census records.

When Oscar filled out his World War I Draft Registration Card on 12 Sept 1918 the family was still living in Mt. Pleasant, Utah.  Oscar stated that he was 45 years old and confirmed his birthdate of 17 Aug 1873; he lists himself as a self-employed farmer; his wife “Levina Olsen” is next of kin.  Oscar goes on to describe himself as being of medium height, stout, blue eyes and light hair.  Under disabilities, he states that he has an “ulcer of the stomach.” 

By the time that the 1930 census was taken in April of that year, the Olsen family had relocated to Northwest Jerome, Jerome County, Idaho. Oscar is 56 years old and Lovina is 50. They own their own home, but no occupation is listed for either of them. Three of their adult children are still in the home with them: Alvin L., 25, farmer; William O., 22, mechanic; and Deane McK, 19, salesman at grocery store. Vernon cannot be found in this census period. 

Idaho Map highlighting Jerome County

By all accounts, Lovina and Oscar lived out their lives in Jerome, Idaho. Nothing is known to me after the 1930 census. Lovina lived a long life – dying at the age of 101 – on 4 Jan 1981. According to the Social Security Death Index, Lovina’s last place of residence was Jerome, Jerome County, Idaho. She was returned home to Mount Pleasant in Sanpete County, Utah, where she was laid to rest two days later on 6 Jan 1981. Her husband Oscar Olsen, who died many years before her in 1933, is buried at Mount Pleasant with her.

I know virtually nothing about the Olsen children. I would love to hear from any of you that are researching this particular branch of the family.  After I finished writing the synopsis for Lovina and Oscar – I was thinking to myself, “well how boring is this?” “I have nothing but names and dates.” “Who wants to read this?” Nonetheless, every life and family matters, and I am hopeful that sometime in the future a family member may stumble upon this post and learn new things about their Olsen ancestors.

 

Manuelita De Los Reyes Lujan

Manuelita De Los Reyes Lujan was my grandfather Montoya’s first wife.  She was born in San Francisco (also known as Estaca) Rio Arriba County, New Mexico on the 10^th day of June 1904.  She was christened two days later on the 12^th of June, 1904 at the San Juan de los Caballeros Catholic Church.  Manuelita was the first daughter born to Antonio Jose Lujan (1861-1935) and his wife Maria Encarnacion Martinez (or perhaps Martin) (1857-1926).  The Lujan surname has a long history in northern New Mexico.  Manuelita’s line seems to have been traced back at least to Jose Santos Lujan born 1808 in Abiquiu, when New Mexico was under Spanish rule. 

Manuelita grew up in and lived all of her life in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.  In the 1910 census (where she is about 5 years old) and in the 1920 census (where she is about 15 years old), she can be found living with her father Antonio, who was a farmer and who later owned his own farm and her mother Maria.  Manuelita had the following known siblings, who can be found in the census records with her:  Antonio (or Bernardo) born 1900; Jose B., born 1907; Tomas or Tomacito born 1908; and Juana Elisaida born 1911.  The family were Spanish speakers.

State of New Mexico – highlighting Rio Arriba County

On 23 February, 1925 Manuelita married my grandfather, Jose Celestino Encarnacion Montoya at the San Juan de los Caballeros Catholic Church in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.  You can see a picture of the church here:  https://curbowfamily.wordpress.com/2011/03/20/estaca-plaza-at-an-ancient-crossroads-2/

The couple had three boys:  Jose Encarnacion Antonio Montoya who was born 1926 and died in 1927; David Alfonzo Montoya who was born in 1928 and is thought still to be alive and Peter Augustine Montoya who was born in 1929 and died in 1997. 

The 1930 census, which was enumerated on April 2^nd, finds Manuelita and Celestino living in Alcalde in Rio Arriba County.  Alcalde (or sometimes Los Luceros) translated means “mayor,” and lies in one of the oldest viticulture sites in North America.  It is reported that Don Juan de Oñate brought grapevines with him over four centuries ago.  When my husband and I traveled there, we were very surprised to see all the fruit trees and grape vineyards flourishing in the Espanola Valley.  I am given to understand that my great-grandfather Maximiano Montoya owned a very large apple orchard with which he supported his family. 

In the census Manuelita is indexed as “wife Manuelita Montoya,” age 24, born about 1906.  She is with her husband who is misindexed as “Celestina,” age 25 and sons David, 2 and Pedro, 6 months (Family #9).  The couple owns their own home which is worth $300 – and they own a radio too!  My grandfather lists his occupation as “laborer doing odd jobs.”  Family #6 is Florentino and Ramoncita Gallegos; Ramona being Celestino’s oldest sister and Family #8 is Jose Antonio Lujan, the father of Manuelita.

1930 Census

  

A little over a year later, on 13 Aug 1931, Manuelita died. This date was taken from the New Mexico Deaths database, and I do not have a copy of her death certificate. No one in the family seems to know what caused her death at the age of 27. She was laid to rest the next day at the San Rafael de Guigne Cemetery in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico.

After the death of Manuelita, my grandfather, along with his brother Leopoldo,left for Utah during the Great Depression to work the Kennecott Mine in Bingham Canyon, Utah, where he met my grandmother, Pearl Eva Spencer.  It is presumed by family members that the two boys Dave and Pete were left behind in New Mexico with relatives.  It is unknown to me when the family reunited.

David Alfonzo Montoya (Dave to his family) was my father’s half-brother.  He married Adela Garcia on 9 Apr 1951. Adela recently died in 2009, and it is thought that Dave may still be alive and living in Utah. Dave and Adela Montoya were my Godparents. The couple had at least the following children: Lee; Leo; Lois; Madeline; Mark; Raymond; George; David; James; and Manuelita.

Me – on the day of my christening – with Dave and Dela Montoya

 

Peter Augustine Montoya (Pete to his family) was also my father’s half-brother.  I am fairly certain that Pete married and had children; however, I know nothing about them.  Pete was living in Castro Valley, Alameda County, California at the time of his death in 1997.

Jose Celestino Montoya in his old age - Dave on left and Pete on right

I would very much like to be in touch with any of Dave’s or Pete’s children or grandchildren to talk about the Montoya/Lujan genealogy.

 

 

　

　

 

 

 

 



 

Ancestor Envy

Let me preface this by telling you that I will “babble” family history to any poor fool that is willing to listen. One of my many victims over the years has been my friend Leslie. Up until recently she would smile and nod her head and give me the “glazed over” look whenever I launched into my “latest find.”  I have been encouraging her for some time to start digging into her family roots – to no avail.  Well, lo and behold, she finally allowed me to set up her family tree on ancestry.com! The only thing Leslie knew about her father’s family was that her grandparents had divorced prior to her father’s birth, and he informed her that, “we wouldn’t find much.”  Well, guess again Dad, within three days we knew her grandfather’s birth date, found him in all the census records, found his death date, and figured out who his parents and grandparents were and had connected with a distant cousin! And Leslie was hooked!  Another convert!

Now let me tell you – our Curbow-Montoya family database is quite large – but it has taken years to compile. We have scratched, begged, borrowed (and considered stealing) the information, documents and photographs that we do have!  While my husband’s family tree does have some interesting branches (many of the families have been in America since the 1600s and include several revolutionary war soldiers and a Governor of Colonial Virginia). My family – I got NOTHING!

Back to my friend Leslie – On her father’s side we found her ggg-grandfather, Hugh McCurdy (1829-1908), a Scottish immigrant, an attorney and a judge who was written up in the New York Times, who established the First National Bank of Corunna, Michigan, and who deeded land for a park now known as McCurdy Park in Michigan.

Hugh McCurdy

Her tree also includes step-great grandfather John Julius Ebear (1875-1954), a master sea-captain on the Great Lakes and his grandson (and Leslie’s first cousin 1x removed) Gordon Frederick MacLellan (1945-1975) who died on Lake Michigan with the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald.

Edmund Fitzgerald

Today Leslie received a treasure in the mail. One of the cousins that she has connected with mailed her an entire envelope of old family photographs which span several generations of this family line, including several tin types. Have I mentioned – I got NOTHING??!

 

And if that wasn’t enough for a budding genealogist to get excited about – Leslie retrieved from her mother “the family bible.” This bible is large and very old, published in 1870. On the inside cover is a list of names, birth dates, marriage dates and death dates of every family member back to 1820. What?!  And I’m not even finished yet – taped on the inside cover are obituaries for several generations of her mother’s family – along with some photos.  And the biggest treasure – an original land grant (Kansas from lands belonging to the Kickapoo) issued to the widow of James Shaw for his service in the War of 1812 signed by William Stoddard, secretary to President Abraham Lincoln.  It really doesn’t get any better than this!  Oh but wait – I think I failed to mention that Leslie’s mother’s direct immigrating ancestor came to America on a little ship named the Mayflower.  You may have heard of it.

AND ME – I GOT NOTHING !!!!!!  

The Mayflower – 1620

All joking aside – Leslie – welcome to your new obsession – you’re off to a GREAT start !

 

Army Brat

    

 After my father’s retirement from the United States Army, my parents bought a home and settled in Austin, Texas, on the Williamson County line. I entered the 10^th grade in the fall of 1976 at Round Rock High School. (Yes, I know – that’s ancient history.) I was often asked by other students, “Where are you from?” And I frequently found it difficult to give an answer. I was really from nowhere. My father was born and raised in Utah – but I had never lived there myself – so that wasn’t really home for me. My mother was born in Germany – and even though that had in fact been home for an extended period of time – sadly that wasn’t really home any more either.

My sister and I suffered a double whammy of culture shock: (1) Europe to Round Rock, Texas; and (2) military life to civilian life. It was a very difficult transition for me to make.

When I said “you guys,” and asked which “housing area” people lived in – the Texans looked at me as if I had grown a horn out of the middle of my head. (Okay, it was Round Rock – 1976 – what can I say…..?)  Imagine the look on my face the first time I heard someone being called a “red-neck” or a “goat roper.” Imagine the looks that little white Judy “Montoya” got in the class room. I didn’t know that people actually still wore cowboy boots.J  I didn’t know what a TV game show was.  I missed my Bavarian bread!  Where’s the PX?!  And where are all those Texas tumbleweeds I had heard about?!

Due to the many moves an Army Brat typically makes – my sister and I were constantly making new friends to replace the ones that we had lost. We learned quickly to adapt to whatever new or different situation presented itself. As highly mobile children we were much more likely to reach out to a new student because we knew what it was like to be the new kid on the block. There are so many names and faces that I would love to reconnect with. I have a very special heart friend – Linda – and we were thick as thieves in Germany. To this day we correspond with each other and we still enjoy talking about “the good old days.”

Although we moved a lot – we did not grow accustomed to it – and the moves actually became increasingly difficult the older we got. Looking back on things now – I would not have traded my experiences for anything. This became abundantly clear when I landed in Round Rock, Texas in 1976!  Military culture is unique in so many ways – I have had the opportunity to live and travel throughout Europe – and have had a wealth of experiences unmatched by most Americans.

And now 36 years have passed since my transition to my new life in America.  I’m happy to say that I’ve been Texan-ized, and like they say:

I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as soon as I could!



 

　

　

 

Marion Hilary Grantham – You Died When?!

Marion Hilary Grantham was the fourth son born to Hillard Cisero Grantham and Margaret Dickson, and one of my husband’s first great grand uncles in the Grantham line.

Cropped from his brother's wedding photograph

According to his World War I Draft Registration Card, which he filled out in his own hand, he was born on 22 Apr 1885 – in Meridian, Bosque County, Texas – and a majority of the census records seem to confirm this. His Texas Death Certificate, however, conflicts listing a birth date of 22 Apr 1884. The location is according to the Texas Death Certificate.

World War I Draft Registration Card

When the 1900 census record was enumerated on 4 July, the family is present in Precinct 4 of Callahan County, Texas. Marian is 15 years old and is indexed as a “farm laborer.” He is living with his parents, Hillard and Margaret, along with his brothers – George, Jesse, Orlando and Ira.

According to the Marriage Books of Callahan County, Texas, on 21 Sept 1904 Marion Grantham married Mary Maroney Lawler.  They were both 19 years old at the time of their marriage. Mary was born 1 May 1885 in Alabama, the daughter of “Unknown” Lawler and Amanda C. Dillon. In the 1900 census Mary is with her mother (in De Kalb County, Alabama) who has remarried to William Smith. Mary Lawler Grantham died in Lubbock, Texas on 4 Oct 1973.

The 1910 census finds the Marion Grantham family living two doors down from his parents in Precinct 4 of Callahan County, Texas. He is 25 years old and indexed as a “farmer.” He is living with his wife Mary who has given birth three times: Myrtie, age 5; J. K., age 3; and Elmo, an infant.

On 17 Sept 1918 Marion Grantham filled out his World War I Draft Registration Card. He confirms that he is a resident of Oplin, Callahan County, Texas. He is a 33-year-old self-employed farmer. He lists his wife, Mary Grantham, as his next of kin. He describes himself as being of tall/medium height, medium build with blue eyes and dark hair. He confirms his birth date as 22 Apr 1885.

In the 1920 census the family is still in Precinct 4 of Callahan County. They are renting a farm. Marion is 35, and with him is his wife Mary M. and children Myrtie E., 15; Joe, 13; and Elmo 12.

I was just about ready to stop my research on Marion Grantham because a majority of the trees on ancestry.com list his date of death as 8 Feb 1927 – he would have been 41 years old at the time of his death. I was bothered by the fact that I had been unable to locate a Texas Death Certificate for him; nor have I had any luck in locating his burial location. By 1927, most Texas Counties were keeping fairly good records – so there should have been a death certificate on file. At this point I decided to figure out if I could find his widow and children in the 1930 census. Low and behold – Marion was alive and well in 1930! He was found in Callahan County, Texas living in Precinct No. 2. He is misindexed as “Morie H.,” age 43 born 1887 in Texas; he rents; has been married 20 years; and is a farmer. He is living with his wife Mary, age 43 and their sons Joe (who is misindexed as “Jae”), age 21 and Elmo, age 19; both of the boys are farmers.

This is a classic case of not copying or believing everything you see on ancestry.com.  DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!!

Texas Death Certificate

Once I took out the incorrect date of death for Marion, I was able to locate him in the Texas Death Index and the Social Security Death Index. Marion Hilary Grantham was 81 at the time of his death – not 41! He passed away on 16 Dec 1966 in St. Mary’s Hospital in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. He is laid to rest in Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock.

Marion and Mary had the following children:

• Myrtie Verlia Grantham (1905-1995) – She married Norman Othello Magill
• Joe K. Grantham (1907 – ?) – Nothing more is known about him by me.
• Elmo Leonard Grantham (1909 – 1980) – He married Lillian Shoemaker

Related Articles

• Orlando “Lando” Grantham (curbowfamily.wordpress.com)
• Jesse Richard Grantham (curbowfamily.wordpress.com)
• Jesse Richardson Grantham (curbowfamily.wordpress.com)

 

Edgar Claude Atwood – Son of William Payton Atwood and Ellen Elizabeth West

Edgar Claude Atwood was the youngest son born to William Payton Atwood and Ellen Elizabeth West; born 23 June 1893 in Cross Plains, Callahan County, Texas. He was one of my husband’s 1st great grand uncles in his Atwood line.

Edgar Claude Atwood - from the collection of Brian Atwood

Edgar can be found with his family in the 1900 census (where he is 7 years old) living in Justice Precinct 6, Callahan County, Texas. Likewise, Edgar can be found in the 1910 census with his family – still in Callahan County – albeit the enumerator listed his year of birth as 1897.

At the age of 19, Edgar Claude Atwood married Eunice Mae Arnold on 23 Mar 1913 in Oplin, Callahan County, Texas. Edgar and his brother, Columbus, married sisters. Claude married Eunice Arnold and Columbus married Emma Arnold.

Edgar filled out a World War I Draft Registration Card on June 5th (1917 or 1918 – the year not listed). He indicates that he is a farmer; that he is married with 2 children; He describes himself as being tall and stout with blue eyes and light hair.

World War I Draft Registration Card

When the 1920 census is enumerated in March, we find Edgar still in Callahan County with his family. He is indexed as “Claude E. Atwood,” age 26 born 1894 in Texas. He is renting a farm and he can read and write. He is with his wife Eunice M., 24 and they have had the following children: Jerel R., 6; Arnold W., 4 and Margarete P., 1.

And ditto for the 1930 census – still in Callahan County (Oplin) misindexed as “E. D. Atwood,” age 36 born in 1894 in Texas. The family is renting their home that is worth $5.00 (or perhaps their monthly rent is $5). The do not own a radio. Does anyone know why in the world the 1930 census asked that question?! Edgar Claude lists his occupation as “truck driver in the trucking industry.” He is with his wife Eunice who is 35 and children: Gerold, 16; Arnold, 14; Margarett, 11; Suedell, 8; J. W., 5; and Bobie, 1.

From the collection of Brian Atwood

Edgar Claude Atwood died at the age of 66 on 23 Feb 1960 in Abilene,. Taylor County, Texas at Hendricks Hospital.

Texas Death Certificate

Obituary as published on Wednesday, February 24, 1960 in THE ABILENE REPORTER-NEWS

E. C. Atwood Rites Today – Funeral for E. C. Atwood, 67, will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Elliott’s Chapel of Memories with the Rev. J. D. Partin, former pastor of Eula, now minister of Cedar Gap Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Memorial Park. Mr. Atwood died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday at Hendrick Memorial hospital after a short illness. He moved to Abilene from Eula last October. He had lived in Callahan County since he was born June 23, 1893 at Cross Plains. His Abilene address was 2907 S. 27th Street. Mr. Atwood worked as supervisor of the farming interests of J. D. Hamilton. He married Eunice Mae Arnold at Oplin in 1913 and was a deacon in the Eula Baptist Church several years. Survivors include his wife; four daughters, Mrs. H. C. Rinehart, Mrs. L. H. Hampton, Jr. and Miss Freddie Mae Atwood all of Abilene; and Mrs. Virgil Brown of Sweetwater; four sons, R. G. of Seminole, A. W. and Bobby both of Andrews and J. W. of Abilene; two sisters, Mrs. Ches Barr of Cross Plains and Mrs. Walker Jones of Lubbock; two brothers, John of Lubbock and Gene of Abilene; and 13 grandchildren.

Edgar Claude Atwood is laid to rest in Abilene City Cemetery (Elmwood).

Final Resting Place - Abilene City Cemetery

Edgar and Eunice had the following children:

• Robert Gerald “Sleep” Atwood (1914-1985)
• Arnold William “Fats” Atwood (1916-1965)
• Margurite Peace “Mickey” Atwood (1918-1998)
• Sue Dell Atwood (1921-1986)
• John Windel “Jake” Atwood (1925-1988)
• Robert Marrell “Bobby” Atwood (1928-1986)
• Betty Jo Atwood (1930-1999)
• Freedie May Atwood (1933-1960)

Related Articles

• William Payton Atwood and the Sam Bass Gang (curbowfamily.wordpress.com)

 

Maud Ellen Ham – Daughter of Robert Montgomery Ham and Tabitha Clementine Kenady

Maud Ellen Ham was the oldest daughter of Robert Montgomery Ham and Tabitha Clementine Kenady. She was the sister of William Neal Ham and she was my husband’s 1st great grand-aunt.

Maud Ellen Ham

Maude was born on 18 May 1878 in Egan, Johnson County, Texas. This date of birth was retrieved from the Montgomery-Ham family bible which is now in the possession of Marian Ham Miller of Texas. The Johnson County birth location is confirmed by her Texas Death Certificate.  The Egan location has been provided by Ham family members. Egan lies eight miles northeast of Cleburne in north central Johnson County. This area was settled during the Civil War era.

In the 1880 census Maud is living with her family in Precinct 6 of Johnson County, Texas. She is indexed as “M.E. Ham,” age 2 born 1878 in Texas. She is with her father “R.M.” (Robert Montgomery, age 27, farmer; and mother “T.C.,” (Tabitha Clementine), age 20; and brother “W.N.,” (William Neal), age 4. Living right next door are Maud’s grandparents, Jim M. Thomason, age 35 and Jemima Clementine Rawls, age 50. (It looks like Jemima caught herself a seriously younger man!)

At the age of 14, on Christmas Day of 1892, Maud married Festus Orlando James in Johnson County, Texas. Festus was born 13 Jul 1873 in Alvarado, Johnson County, Texas, the son of John James and Mary Elizabeth Rosaline Bradley. He died in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas on 8 Aug 1961. And yes, if you were wondering, Festus Orlando James is related to the outlaw Jesse James!

James x Ham – Marriage Certificate

The marriage to Festus James apparently was a short-lived one – by the 1900 census Maud (along with two children) is back at home with her parents and siblings. The family has relocated to Justice Precinct 7, Kaufman County, Texas. She is indexed as “Maud James,” age 22, born May 1878 in Texas. She has given birth twice – and both children are living. She is with her father Robert, age 46; her mother Tabbie, age 40; her brother Will, age 24 (and his wife Julie E,, age 18); her daughters Artie, age 6; and Willie B., age 3; Maud’s other siblings in the home are: Ora, 15; Robert, 13; Mac, 9 and Mabel, 3.

Festus Orlando James - first husband of Maud Ellen Ham

Sometime during the second half of 1900, Maud married her second husband, Andrew Archiebald Rickman. Andrew was born 27 Apr 1881 in Faulkner County, Arkansas and died 4 May 1955 in Zephyr, Brown County, Texas. He was the son of Robert Francis Rickman and Mary Elizabeth Franklin. The date is an ESTIMATE based on the first child‘s birth, and I have not sourced it. (If there are any Rickman researchers out there that have a Marriage Certificate – I would love to have a copy.)

The 1910 census was enumerated during April of 1910. Maud is indexed as “Maud Rickman,” age 31 born 1879 in Texas. She confirms that she has been married twice and has given birth 6 times with all 6 children living. She is with her husband “A.A. Rickman,” age 30 who has been married 1 time and has been married for 10 years. He is a farmer. Children in the home in 1910 are: Artie James, 16; Willie James, 13; all of the Rickman children are misindexed as “Richman.” Fannie, 8; Bady, 6; Vernon, 4; and Mary, 1. Living right next door is Maud’s brother (and my husband’s great grandfather), William Ham and wife Julia Emma Stone and family.

The 1920 census was enumerated during the months of February and March of 1920. The family has relocated to McCulloch County, Texas. Maud is indexed as “Maud Rickman,” age 39, born in 1881 in Texas. She states that she is able to read and write. She is living with her husband “Andrew A.,” age 40 and children: Brady, 16; Vernon, 13; Mary H., 10; Beatrcie, 7; Drew, 5; and Estella, 3. The family is renting a farm. Living on one side of the Rickman family we can find John B. Ward and his wife Ora Ham, Maud’s sister. On the other side of the Rickman family we can find John W. McNight and his wife Artie James, Maud’s daughter.

The last two records we need to talk about are Maud’s death and her burial. Maud died at the young age of 48 on 27 Jan 1927 in Placid, McCulloch County, Texas. Her Texas death certificate states that she became ill with influenza on 2 Jan and that she died 25-days later of pneumonia. Sadly, she left small children behind.

Maud Ellen Ham Rickman - Texas Death Certificate

Maud is laid to rest in Placid Cemetery in McCullough County, Texas, alongside her husband.

Maud Ellen Ham Rickman - Final Resting Place

I have not done any of my own research on the children of Maud Ellen Ham James Rickman – and corrections are certainly welcome – this is a list of her children and their spouses which I have compiled:

• Artie Mae James (1894-1984) – She married James W. McNight and later William P. Perkins
• Willie Bernice James (1897-1962) – She married Charles Wesley Oliver
• Fannie Lou Rickman (1901-1987) – She married Monroe Oscar McClusky and Robert Chatman Wagoner
• Brady Leon Rickman (1903-1976) – He married Edyth Alva Bush
• Vernon Jackson Rickman (1906-1927)
• Mary Hallie Rickman (1909-1996) – She married Bolden Green Stuart, Jr.
• Beatrice Evedna Rickman (1912-?) – She married Fabius Aldus Parker
• Drew Finis Rickman (1914-1982) – He married Ruth Allen Wells
• Estelle Rickman (1917-1997) – She married Buster Stuart

 

The “One Lovely Blog” Award

Last week one of my fellow family history bloggers, Susan Clark, nominated my website for the “One Lovely Blog“ award. A girl after my own heart she writes: “I am a lifelong family historian, descended from generations of family historians. Sifting though archives and microfiche has always been one of my most favorite way of spending time.” I can totally and completely relate to this!

As I sat up half the night on New Year’s Eve setting up my wordpress site and obsessing about making it just perfect, I knew I would enjoy this endeavor. I have a great love of family history; I love a good puzzle; and I love to write – a perfect combination. What I didn’t anticipate is all the wonderful and encouraging people who I would meet along the way. So Susan – THANK YOU so much for nominating my blog!

In turn, I’d like to share my top favorites so far – in no particular order – they are all great!

Susan Clark of Nolichucky Roots – Susan focuses her research on her families which settled in eastern Tennessee and northern Virginia. http://www.nolichuckyroots.blogspot.com

Charles Hale of Stories Connect – Love Heals – the ultimate teller of stories in every sense of the word. You will not soon forget his posts. http://storiesconnectloveheals.com. When Charles was writing about the Vietnam War – he graciously included my memories of my father’s service: http://storiesconnectloveheals.com/2011/03/18/viet-nam-stole-my-father/.

Heather Kuhn Roelker of Leaves for Trees – I love Heather’s style of writing – straightforward and very informative. Her blog site initially caught my eye because she had written about military records and the War of 1812. We have a Curbow ancestor that may have been involved in that, and I had no idea how to find those records. http://leavesfortrees.blogspot.com

Southern Family History by Debbie – If you have families that you are tracing in the South – then this is the website for you. Most all of my husband’s lines (Curbow, Ham, Atwood and Grantham) are from the southern United States. This site is a wealth of information and links galore. http://familyhistorybydebbie.blogspot.com

Mary Mauer of Caddo – My Home Town – News and views from Caddo, Oklahoma – the small town with a big heart. This site first caught my eye as I was researching some Curbows that ended up in Caddo, Oklahoma. It is a wealth of history, photographs and bits and pieces of this area. Additionally, Mary was very kind and assisted me with a cemetery look up. I would encourage anyone who is researching the Caddo area to visit Mary’s site. http://mem55.typepad.com/caddo_my_home_town

 

 

 

A Death at Gettysburg

I’ve recently received another research inquiry about one of our connected Curbow lines – this time Kerbo/Kerbow, and specifically Dock Kerbo. Again, I’d like to explore this further, because at the end of the day, I do believe that all Curbows (no matter the spelling) are connected by one common ancestor, John Corbo/Corbeau.

According to family researcher David Kerbow, of Austin, Texas, after the Civil War, two brothers, John A. Kerbo and Francis Marion Kerbo left Jackson County, Georgia with their brother Dock Singleton Kerbo’s widow (Francis Virginia Park) and his family. They headed west and when they reached the banks of the swollen Mississippi River they decided to add the “w” to the end of their names so that they could identify their kin later as coming from that part of the family. (I can‘t, of course, confirm this, but it is an interesting explanation; however, it should be noted that there were plenty of Kerbows/Kirbows in Georgia before this period of time.) To this day, anyone with the last name of “Kerbow” can be traced back to one of these brothers. They eventually settled in Delta County, Texas (northeast of Dallas). This line of Kerbos/Kerbows left Georgia during reconstruction in 1867 and moved to east Texas and settled in and around Enloe/Cooper/Commerce Counties, Texas. (Source – family oral history – www.kerbow.com – I believe this website was recently taken off the internet.)

Based on my look at Dock’s life this is what I found:  Doctor “Dock” Singleton Kerbo was born in Jackson County, Georgia in about 1831. The date of his birth is approximate and based on various records, which include the 1850 census; Family Data Collection; U.S. and International Marriage database; and the U.S. Civil War Soldiers database. Dock was the youngest son of Solomon David Kerbow (Kirbow) and Celia “Selah” Witt. If I have the relationships figured out correctly – and this is not proven yet – then Solomon David Kerbow is an uncle of our Tilman Curbow (my husband’s ggg-grandfather), making Dock his younger cousin.

In the 1850 census, which was enumerated on 25 November, Dock is indexed as “Doctor S. Kerbow,” age 19, born 1831 in Georgia. He states that he is a laborer. He is living with his older brothers, Jesse M., age 30, a farmer worth $500; and John, 21, laborer. Also in the home is his mother, a widow, Selah, age 68. Additionally, we have a woman named Anna Hatcher, age 45, in the home, whose identity is unknown to me.

Dock married Frances Virginia Park probably sometime in 1852 or 1853 in probably Jackson County, Georgia. The year of their marriage is an ESTIMATE on my part based on the year of birth of their first son. I have no information on who her parents were. Virginia was born 3 Oct 1836 in Georgia and died 29 Oct 1903 in Red River County, Texas.

Frances Virginia Parks w/son John Russell Kerbo - from the collection of David Kerbow

In the 1860 census, which was enumerated on the 18th and 19th of July, we find the little family together in Jackson County, Georgia. “Doctor S. Kerbo” is 28 years old, born about 1832 in Georgia. The nearest post office is in Mulberry. Doctor is a farmer who owns property worth $700 and personal property worth $874. In the home is his wife, Frances, age 30 and children: John, age 6, Rodemma, age 4 and Josephine, age 2. His older brother John “Kirbo” is living two families down with his family.

At the age of 30, on 17 July, 1861, Doctor Singleton Kerbo, enlisted into the Confederate States Army at Jackson County, Georgia. He was a Private of Co. B, 16 Regiment, Georgia Infantry. His muster rolls and service files have a variety of spelling for his last name but the majority of them seem to be filed under “O.S. Kerbow.”

Based on his service records, we can see that he had a rough time of it, and appears to have spent much of his time in the hospital. His first card is dated Nov. 1861 where he is indexed as “D.S. Kerbo.” It states that he is on furlough for 25 days. His second card is dated Jun 1862 where he is indexed as “D.S. Kirbo.” It states that he left sick at Suffolk on the 18th of April. On 23 Oct 1862 Doctor is again put on furlough for 30 days (Richmond, Virginia). His third card is dated Nov 1862 where he is in the hospital in Richmond, Virginia. (There are two medical reports from September of 1862 which indicate that he was admitted to the General Hospital at Camp Winder in Richmond Virginia on 2 Sept 1862.) Lastly – and tragically – Dock Singleton Kerbo died at the age of 32 years on 2 July 1863 – alone and far from home on a field in Pennsylvania – at the Battle of Gettysburg.

When Francis Kerbo made an inquiry about her husband’s back pay, this is an excerpt of the Captain’s report which she received in return, and which is on file with the National Archives:

“D. S. Kerbow, a private of Capt Venable’s Co. (B) 16th Georgia Reg’t age at ___ years, 5 ft. 10 inches high, fair complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair, by profession a farmer, low in the County of Jackson and State of Georgia and enlisted at Butch (??) Hill (or Mill), Georgia on the 17th day of July 1861 by Sgt. Barrow to serve for the War, was killed in action on the 2nd day of July 1863 at Gettysburg, PA, USA.”

The report continues on to detail what pay is owed to Dock’s family. The report is signed by Captain Venable, Dock’s superior officer.

Kerbo family members maintain that Dock’s body was transported home to Jackson County, Georgia and that he is laid to rest there. I have not been able to confirm this story.

As told by George B. Williams, Kerbo family historian, Dock’s widow and two brothers, Francis Marion and John A. and families loaded a covered wagon in 1867 and went west to Texas. I suppose that Reconstruction was hard on Confederate veterans. I have often wondered what life was like and why they moved to Texas. They lived northwest of Atlanta about 25 miles and the farm could have been devastated by General Sherman. Through personal contact with Ralph Freeman of Hoschton, Georgia (85 years old and a great historian) he indicated that this area was spared.”

Doctor Single Kerbo and his wife Frances Virginia Park had five children that I am aware of: John Russell (1853-1945); Florentine Roumence (1856-1944); Josephine Laura Etta (1858); Joseph Solomon (1863-1939); and Dock Singleton, Jr. (1863-1958) (obviously named in honor of his father who died one month before his birth).

If there are any direct descendants of Doctor Singleton Kerbo that wish to take the ball and run with this, there are so many other things to be discovered about Dock.  There are many muster roll cards, hospital reports and service reports pertaining to his Civil War service. These can be obtained on footnote.com. I expect that there may have been a newspaper notice somewhere in Jackson County, Georgia. He owned land – so there are probably deed records in Jackson County, Georgia to be found. He may have even left a Will, which can be found in the probate records of Jackson County, Georgia. If any of you Kerbo/Kerbow researchers are up to the challenge – please share your information here!

To end this life story – whether you believe that the cause was right or wrong – Dock Kerbo – I thank you and your family for your sacrifice.

 

Related Articles

• Battle of Gettysburg (socyberty.com)
• Gettysburg Exodus (thelintinmypocket.wordpress.com)