Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Sunday Nights at Nine


A couple of weeks ago, a got a phone call from a friend. He said = "Have you seen this week's River Front Times?" I told him that I hadn't. He said - "wel get one and look on page six." I did and there was a nice little write-up on my good friend Earl Gibson with a sketch of Earl, the harmonica player and myself. It was nice of the RFT to include Hammerstones as one of their places to go, but I wish they had included guitarist Erik Brooks in the picture. After all it IS HIS GIG!
The writer of the piece must have been a younger person - for the songs he refers to as vaguely familiar include titles like "What a Wonderful World," "Make the World Go Away," The Everly Brothers "Dream, Dream, Dream", "Java Jive" "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown."
If you are ever in St. Louis on a Sunday night, please condier yourself invited as my special guest to Hammerstone's. I have taken dozens of people in and they have all loved Earl. Hope you will too.

Monday, May 28, 2007

Bertha Shelton



My great-grandmother, Bertha Shelton was born to George and Luella Fairleigh on May 28, 1885. She was the oldest of ten children. Following Bertha were Katie, William, James Pirl, Ada, Ruth, Elizabeth, Libby, Georgia and Zemenia. At the age of 22 Bertha married 25 year old Joseph Wayne Shelton. She and Wayne lived on the homeplace of Wayne's parents. They had seven children - Bryon, Hub, Harry, Pirl, Paul, Luella and Eugene (who died as an infant). Bertha died on May 30, 1970 at the Shelton home. She is buried in the Laird Cemetery in Enterprise, IL.

Saturday, May 26, 2007

Springboro Cemetery - New Bunnell pics!

Odd thing - I just posted a piece about Daniel Bunnell's family buried at Scotch Plains, New Jersey and the very next day recieved an Email regarding Daniel's daughter. the letter came from a very nice lady in Springboro, Ohio. She had found a request of mine on Find-a-Grave for a photo for the grave of Abigail Bunnell Keever - sister to Noah Bunnell. She found the grave at the cemetery and posted the picture on Find-a-grave.
Here is a bit about our subject: Abigail Bunnell was born to Daniel and Martha (Hughes) Bunnell on January 9, 1792 in Scotch Plains, NJ. Her father relocated the family to Ohio about 1798 but was killed by highwaymen. Abigail's mother, Martha remarried about 1801 in Warren County, Ohio (just south of Dayton) to Samuel Foote. Abigail married at the age of 16 on March 24, 1808 to George Keever. I haven't studied much on the family yet, but I know they had at least two children - Martha and Dr. Moses H. Keever.

George and Abigail are buried in the Springboro Cemetery. In the Springboro Cemetery are other Bunnells and Keevers, although I am stuill learning about them - their graves were all photographed and documented on Find-a-grave by this kind woman, Sandy. Thanks again for her kindness.

Friday, May 25, 2007

May 24,1849 - May 24,1924


My great-great Grandma Block was born May 24, 1849 in Switzerland to Peter and Barbara Schluneggar. She was married to John Bloch and they had four children that survived infancy - Anna, Emma, William and George. Margaret died on her 75th birthday at her home near Cisne, Illinois.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Scotch Plains, New Jersey



At one time our Bunnell ancestors lived in Scotch Plains, NJ. My great-g-g-g-g-g-g-g-grandfather, Nathanial Bonnell (1640 - 1711) was born in New Haven, CT. Nathanial married Susannah Whitehead in New Haven and their first child, Samuel was born their in 1667. The following year the couple and their child relocated to Elizabethtown, New Jersey, (known today as Elizabeth, NJ) where their second child, Isaac was born in 1668. Nathanial and Sussanah's grandson, James Bonnell and his wife Sarah (Broadwell) Bonnell relocated from Elizabethtown, NJ to Scotch Plains - both of which are located in Union County. It was there that my great-g-g-g-g grandfather, Daniel was born in 1751. Daniel, a Revolutionary War soldier left New Jersey for Ohio in 1798, but was murdered by highwaymen in Ohio when returning for his family.

Daniel and Mary were married at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church on June 20, 1779. The church was organized in 1747. They were not the only Bunnells that attended this church for still today inthe Churchyard are severay Bonnel / Bunnell graves. Many of the early gravestones were constructed of brownstone, thus are in poor condition. Early stones are in the state of disintegration and many have been broken. Many are unreadable. Some merely lists the name of the person buried in that place with no dates to give a clue to the period of time that a person walked the earth. Some have completely disappeared from the graveyard, and knowledge of the ones buried have been erased forever. Some inscriptions were read in 1922 and again in 1952 by members of the Genealogical Society of NJ





This is the stone of Jane Bonnel - wfie of Abraham; b. 1736 d. 5 July 1810. Abraham is the older brother of Daniel. Jane's maiden name is believed to be Jenkins by several researchers. Her parents were Roderick and Mary (Pack) Jenkins.



These stones mark the graves of Nathanial Sarah Bonnel. They were children of Abraham and Jane Bonnel an dboth died Nov 3, 1776. Nathamial was 10 and Sarah was 4. I am not sure of the cause of death.



This stone is Sarah (Broadwell) Bonnel - my g-g-g-g-g-g-grandmother, mother to Daniel and wife of James. She was born in 1715 and died in 1791.





The original church no longer stands, but was rebuilt in the early 1800s and still has services today.

A visit to Colorado


After school let out in May 1985, Raymond and Janet, their daughter Jennifer and Grandma Shelton all came out to Colorado for a visit. Here is a photo taken from that trip - I believe on Trail Ridge, but not sure. Raymond might recall.

A card from Aunt Clara


Dad celebrated his 64th birthday this week. Here is a card that Aunt Clara (Rogers) Mathes sent him on his first birthday.

30 years ago


This is picture I took of our dog Samson taken thirty years ago - May, 1977. Looks like we were keeping him in a jungle - eh? I can remember afternoons spent mowing and cleaning out that dog pen - which was about 50' x50' or so.

50 years ago


This is Dad's eigth grade graduation picture taken 50 years ago - May 1957. The location is 801 Delaware, Fairfield, IL.

David Shelton Sr - May 21

Happy Birthday Dad!




Tuesday, May 22, 2007

May 21, 1923 - Robert and Rollie Smith


Robert and Rollie Smith were born May 21, 1923. They are seen here in Cisne with their grandmother, May Bunnell. Rollie passed away last April, but Robert still lives near Rinard, Illinois.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

May 20, 1939

Grandma and Granddad Smith wre married 68 years ago today on May 20, 1939 in Morganfield, KY. Granddad is gone mow, but Am spending tomorrow with Grandma - taking her to St. Louis to her eye doctor.

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Margaret Shelton house






Margaret Shelton, wife of Williarm R. Shelton, and my great-great grandmother is seen here in fron t of a house. Does any Shelton reading know whose house this is? It is very similar to the one that was built after the old house burned down - except the porch was on the other side. I included a picture of Wayne and Bertha's house. There are two chimneys inthe first picture and one in the second photo.

This is the original Shelton house which was destroyed by fire - I think after William R. died.

Rogers kids


This picture of the Willard and MattieRogers family was taken in the early 1920s. The back row: Charlie, Della, Willard, Mattie, Lon (I think) and Edna. Front row: Leone, Hubert and Emma Jane.

Verne and Parents



This picture was taken in the early 1920s of Charles and Olive Conard with their youngest son Verne. They wree standing in the front yard of the Conard home.

Marie and Isaac



Copied about 500 old photos from Aunt Janis' mother's collection. We spent the whole afternoon and a good part of the evening scanning pictures. Here are a couple of her mom and my granddad as babies. Marie Bunnell and Isaac Smith, who were first cousins, were born just a few days apart. These pictures were taken in 1920.

Monday, May 14, 2007

May 13 - Megan and Emily


Happy birthday to Megan and Emily! Enjoyed seeing you both last month.

Saturday, May 05, 2007

Mike Hite



Pictures in memory of a childhood friend.

Mike Hite 1969- 2007

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

Ninety Years Ago

This is my Grandmother Leone (Rogers) Shelton in a photo taken 90 years ago - in the summer of 1917 . She saw the picture this evening and said she remembered when it was taken. I kept Grandma out til 10:00 tonight. She'd have probably stayed out later, but I was afraid We'd keep Uncle Bill and Aunt Janis up past their bed-time!

Tuesday, May 01, 2007

Fifty Years ago

Graduation time is coming up soon - this is Dad's eighth grade graduation picture, taken fifty years ago - May, 1957.

Forty Years Ago

This picture was taken in May, 1967. the baby is me. I was probably a little chilly at the time...

Thirty Years Ago


This picture was taken in May or June, 1977. It is me, cousin Jennifer and sister Shari swimming in the Ohio River. I remember it well - lots of fun! We always had a good time on Dad's boat.

Twenty Years Ago



Here is apicture of Robert shelton taken twenty years ago. Robert (gosh does he still go by "Robbie?" lives in New Mexico

Ten Years Ago


Here is a picture of my Nephew and Niece, Cameron and Cailey Noone taken 10 years ago. Cameron is going to be learning to drive this year and Cailey is becoming quite a young lady. Sigh...

One Year Ago


This picture was taken Apr 25, 2006. I took Grandma Smith out to the Cisne Cemetery to see the new stone that had just been put up for Granddad.

Thoughts from a Wayne County Farmer

Well known Wayne county resident Harold Barnard was at the resturaunt today in Geff and it reminded me of this interview...
The following was taped and written by a volunteer at Meadows Mennonite Home and Retirement Center for their Winter Issue 1982 shortly after Henry Barnard retired there. While this is not really a family post - I thought it sheds some insight on life in Wayne County for one man 100 years ago:


HENRY BARNARD
I was born in 1893 in Wayne City, Illinois, a town in Wayne County. My father was blind, and had been blind since he was 12 years old. In spite of his blindness he earned a good living and was a father to 8 of us children. I had two brothers and 5 sisters, 3 of whom are still living. He was a broom maker and earned 12 ½ cents for each broom.
Our home farm was a 40-acre farm on which we raised everything possible, including many animals and poultry. In those days very few farms were specialized, and most people had a bit of just about everything. I remember going to the wood in winter and cutting trees for fence posts, rails, pickets and firewood. Mother made pumpkin pies for ten cents, and sold many. My father, in spite of his blindness, was able to pitch wheat bundles into the wagon with a pitch fork, so he certainly had a good sense of direction. I remember my father saying, "If you get paddled at school, you'll get another paddling when you come home." Such promises were kept in those days. I also remember my father saying to me, "Henry, from now on YOU are my farmer," so I had to quit school in the third grade when I was eight years old. From then on I did all kinds of farm work as the years rolled on and as I grew with them. I knew I had the job of being my father's farmer.
Not only was my father blind, but my mother became blind when she was 39 years old, so for 30 years of her lifetime she also lived without sight. I recall that when I was about 12 years old a doctor examined my eyes and predicted that I, too, would become blind, but God's will was otherwise.
On October 21, 1915, I married, and farmed on the 80-acre farm of Henry Gurley. I also rented twenty acres besides. Young farmers were lucky to start out on 80-acre farms at that time. I farmed there for two years and then went on to the Fred Manahan place at Sims, also in Wayne County. From there we moved to the Josh Barnard place-my grandfather's brother's farm. Changes in his family life made it necessary to move to the L. Murphy farm north of Fairfield. In those days it was common for tenant farmers to move more often than they do now. Contracts were written from the first of March of one year to the first of March for the following year. The crops were shared equally, or "Half and half." Moving days were the end of February and the first part of March, and usually during the worst of weather. It was a slower process when horses were your main source of "Horse power."
After World War 1 was over, we moved to the Warren Krippen (Crippen) farm where I stayed over eleven years. Knowing Warren Krippen (Crippen) was a great experience! He was an outstanding person-a teacher, preacher, life insurance agent and undertaker. With many of his funerals, he was not only the funeral director, but the preacher, too. This combination was quite rare. I remember that during the flu epidemic after World War 1, he was the preacher and undertaker for four of five funerals in one week. We became the parents of two daughters, but lost one of them when she was a small child. I remember how she would stand on a chair to help her mother do the dishes. After we lost this little girl, we adopted another daughter.
My two daughters now live in Pontiac; they are Alberta Turk and Lucille Koehler.
The Krippen (Crippen) farm was near Cisne, south of Flora. This area is directly s outh of Effingham. I left the farm during the depression when prices were so low it simply was not profitable to tenant farm. For example, corn was 13 cents a bushel, oats about a dime or less, hogs were selling at $3.90 per hundredweight, milk was about 5 cents a gallon, and eggs were 8 cents a dozen. I sold out and came to the Chenoa area and hired myself out by the month as a hired man for one dollar a day. That was the usual wage for a married hired man, his house and $36 a month in summer, and a dollar a day in winter. This was on Bill Stuckemeyer's farm three miles north of Chenoa. It was a 160-acre farm and I stayed there five years. In 1937 times were a little better, so I returned to Cisne to farm again, but in 1938 I returned to Chenoa to farm for John Klein four miles northwest of Chenoa where I stayed five years. Later I farmed the Elsie Wahls farm southwest of Weston for two years and then went back to the Stuckemeyer farm for five years. In 1952 I had a sale and moved into a house in town. I worked for the City of Chenoa for a time, and also as a carpenter. I worked in a hardware store, and also at Hart-Carter in Gridley for about fifteen years in all.
My wife died on the last day of May, 1970, and I kept house alone for about ten years. Now Meadows is my home, and I enjoy the beautiful view out of my north window, which is so peaceful.
As I look back over the years, I am sure I liked farm work best of all. I often think of my eighth year of life when my father told me to be "his farmer." I've done a lot of other things, too, and I like to call the Chenoa area my home-well, my second home, for the first one was several hundred miles south of here.
All the farming, milking, and other kinds of work done in my day were done before TV, shopping malls, interstate highways, credit cards and Star Wars games.
Peg's Notes: The interviewer said she enjoyed visiting with Mr. Barnard very much, and marveled at all he had been able to accomplish without the benefit of very much education.
She said that he admired his parents very much, particularly because of the fact that they did not let their handicaps stand in the way of getting things done and raising such a large family.
Henry's mother, Alice Dazy Barnard, born September 9, 1864, was quite creative. At one point in her life she wrote a poem and dedicated it to him. She could not write it down herself as she was blind, but asked a friend to put it down for her. He is especially fond of and close to this poem and refers to it often. We don't have room for the poem in its entirety, but do quote two verses:
While you can see to go and come And be happy in your own dear home. Just come once in awhile, My Dear, It will your mother so much cheer.
Long ago when you were a boy, You filled your mother's heart with joy, As your little arms went 'round her neck so tight, She kissed you as she said "Good Night."
June 21, 1999 Copyright © Jan 1999. D. Williams; All rights reserved

Warren Crippen



Here is a photo of a well known Wayne County man - Mr. Warren Crippen. It was taken in 1957. Crippen was the County Coroner for years. He held the inquest after my great-grandpa Rogers was accidently killed in a hunting accident.

Conard Girls


Thought Reba would like seeing this picture. Elma and Weta Conard taken probably inthe 1940s. Not sure where, though.

Farmer Rogers and Mirandy


This photo was marked onthe back "Farmer Rogers and Mirandy" I recognized Aunt Della onthe left and assumed it was Emma Jane on the left, but Grandma saw the picture this evening and said it was a girl who's last name was "Mayo" the Della worked with. Thought Greg S. might shed a little light on it! Those Rogers girls really loved to put on costumes. I have several other pictures of them cutting up. Have to post them someday, too!

Britches too Big!


Here is a great picture of Aunt Della and Aunt Emma Jane. Not sure what year - probaby early 1930s. What I really want to know is - who's pants were they wearing! Haha!

Time marches on

At three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on
the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be
02:03:04 05/06/07.
This won't happen again for 100 years.


Just something interesting that Unca Raymond sent in an Email...

Happy Birthday Cailey!

I missed a lot of birthday anniversaries in April, but I didn't want the month to slip by without wishing a happy birthday to my favorite niece, Cailey Noone! Hope you had a great day!

Florida Trip!

Hello! I haven't been posting much but have been on a great ten day road trip to see Uncle Raymond and Aunt Janet in Florida. Here are some pictures I took.

The first is of the Parthenon in Nashville. It is a scale reproduction of the original in Athens, Greece. It, as the original did, houses a statue of the goddess Athena. The new version looks something like a $2.00 hooker - but it is supposed to be based on the original

On Tues, Apr. 17, I visited the cemetery in Hendersonville, TN - burial place of one of my favorite singers - Johnny Cash and wife June Carter. Their home had just burned that weekend. It had been bought by Barry Gibb recently and was being remodeled.



Next was a visit to the Hermatige - home of President Andrew Jackson. Jackson's home is the most complete presidental home/museum. About 90 percent of the items in the home were actually owned by Jackson.

This is the burial place of Andrew and Rachel Jackson.


Wednesday morning I visited the POW Museum at Andersonville, GA. This is an artist's rendition printed in 1864. The next photo is the same view during my visit. Over 12,000 Union soldiers died at Andersonville.

Not many photos remain of Andersonville. This picture gives you an idea of the living conditions. The men drank, bathed, washed dishes and took care of any other business in the stream that went through the camp. It brought on lots of disease and death.
The dead were buried in trenches, shoulder to shoulder.
Andersonville is a very sobering experience - really leaves you feeling a little down, but really worth looking in to if you are ever down that way.




Some of the men tried tunnelling out - their tunnels still cave in every now and then.
Finally got to Florida Wednesday eve.
These two pretty girls are Megan and Emily - Jennifer's twin daughters. The next picture was taken about 12 years ago.
Here is Jennifer, myself and Janie - I hadn't seen Jen in a LONG time - she is just as bubbly and fun as I remembered.

On Friday, Uncle Raymond took me to the Kennedy Space Center. It really is a learning experience. Space travel is fascinating and it is incredible to see these machines and this technology first hand. Here Raymond is standing in front of the memorial to the astronauts who have died durng the Space program.

The next photo is the building where the shuttle is housed until it's next flight in June. It is the world's largest single story building. In fact, Yankee Stadium could fit on top with an acre left over for parking!








On Saturday, Uncle R. and I drove down to Ft. Myers, FL - location of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford's Winter Estates. It was my FIFTH trip to Ft. Myers - I always enjoy seeig Edison's home and garden.
The Banyon tree behind Raymond and "Tom" is the first brought to Florida from India by Edison. It is 190 feet in diameter - the largest in North America. The mother tree, still growing in India is the largest in the world.

This is Henry Ford's living room.


Edison's back porch





The Edison home - Just as it was at the time of Mina Edison's death in 1948.










Mina Edison's Moonlight Garden.
Lots of talking machines!

Another visit with Jennifer and Hayden - her little grandson!


Oh, back to Ft. Myers, we stopped at the Ft. Myers Cemetery (you know I can't go anywhere without squeezing a trip to a graveyard). It is the burial place of one of my favorite pioneer recording artists - Arthur Collins. He began making cylinders in 1898 ( I have some) and continued until his retirement in 1922. He and his wife visited Mr. Edison in Ft. Myers and loved the area and relocated there. Collins' biggest hit was a 1905 recording entitled "The Preacher and the Bear."







Arhtur Collins as a young man.
After church on Sunday we had lunch and I took off for Clearwater Beach. Raymond, Janet and Janie were all GREAT hosts. Uncle Raymond kept me entertained from sun-up til sun-down and I made a temporary widow of Aunt Janet. I really appreciate their kindness.
This is me at Clearwater Beach ( I put some clothes on for the picture - haha!)




On Monday I bought a ticket for a ride on this racing boat. It cruises along at 85 - 90 MPH!





They even let me drive!
We slowed down and let the dolphins follow along behind!

I got back to Camp David in Cisne late Tuesday night and enjoyed a full day here before returning to Saint Louis (and work) on Thursday.