#1 Challenge-- First

Accepting a challenge for 52 Ancestors in 52 weeks, developed by Amy Johnson Crow, (https://www.amyjohnsoncrow.com/52-ancestors-in-52-weeks/) is a bit daunting.  With the interruptions in my life, I hope to be able to complete this challenge and write a blog each week.  Sounds easy, right?  The first topic for the challenge is “First”.

“First” brings up many ideas.  “First” Ancestor I knew, “First” genealogy trip, “First” ancestor research success; the list is huge!

The “First” Ancestor I knew was my father’s parents, John & Della Kurtz Shaffner.  I was able to spend time at their ranch in Beaverhead County, but my grandmother died when I was 9 (1960) so I have very few memories.  My grandfather lived to be 103 (1991) so I have many memories!  Really a book should be written about Grandpa Shaffner as he was a character and full of life.    (Cousins memo:  Write your stories of Grandpa Shaffner and send them to me). What a life he led, born in 1887, beginning work with a railroad in 1907, working in Washington D.C. for a Senator, coming west with the railroad job, traveling to Yellowstone Park in 1913, Homesteading in Beaverhead County, Montana in 1916, raising 4 boys, losing 1 son in World War II, having 3 sons in the South Pacific at the same time in World War II, (every letter written home by a son was saved) ranching, working as a railroad telegrapher to support the ranch, losing a wife, eloping with his 2nd wife at age 79, living in town, helping his sons in a bindery and a ranch, teaching his granddaughters how to ride and work/move cattle (or we learned how not too),  and seeing a man on the moon.  But Grandpa Shaffner had a love for his family and his family history and worked for his lifetime to document his genealogy.  Let’s just say there are lots of notes scribbled on various papers.  He did work with my cousin, Donnee Shaffner Stibal, and she was able to create family group sheets.  Grandpa was very good about labeling pictures too.

My mother’s mother (Calla Lloyd) was also a “First” ancestor that I knew.  But she lived in Waitsburg, Washington; so I saw her yearly.  Mostly I remember trips to Waitsburg for Memorial Day where we placed flowers on ancestors graves.  My grandfather died before my mother married, so his grave was decorated.  Then both sets of great grandparents.  And then the graves of great grandparents and their children.  Along the way, Mother told the stories that she grew up with or lived.  While not old enough to write them down (or smart enough) we heard them more than once.  The Lloyd family was also interested in their family history and cut newspaper articles out if their name was in the paper, scribbled notes on various papers, labeled pictures (and they had many studio pictures taken), kept every momento from funeral cards to newspapers to letters and quilts.  Since the ancestors had come west in 1845 & 1852, moved to Waitsburg in 1859; there is a collection.  Which I inherited.

My mother loved genealogy and worked on it before the age of computers.  I inherited her collections-maternal & paternal.   It took me 12 hours to sort the collection into manila folders labeled by name.  

Genetics must play a part in my love for genealogy!

The “First” Genealogy success was discovering that the horse thief claimed in the family, was actually another family member by the same name.  In the Lloyd collection, I discovered a copy of a newspaper article from 1894 about “Tony Lloyd” and the story of stealing horses.  Since I had discovered Tony Lloyd in Fort Benton in 1900 and his occupation as a gambler, I figured the story of him stealing horses was correct.  The newspaper article mentioned that Tony Lloyd served time in prison.  Thinking it would be neat to find the prison records, I began searching and the Walla Walla Petitionary records were on line!  There was enough information online that I discovered that “Tony Lloyd” the gambler was not the horse thief, but another “Tony Lloyd” in the family.  His parents were listed on his prison record confirming his genealogy.    And if I submitted $17 to Washington Records, I could have the entire court case, prison records and his mug shot—from 1894!  Well you know, I bought!  My husband questioned my purchase, after all, $17 for a prison record for my hobby???  I explained that I doubted he could drive me to Olympia, Washington for research any cheaper.  End of discussion and my genealogy habit was hooked.  

My “First” Genealogy Trip that was memorable was a trip to a Kurtz reunion in Pennsylvania.  Of course it necessitated a stop at a library in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania where I was met by an older librarian.  I told him the family I was researching and asked if there would be a family file.  He looked down his nose at me as he asked questions.  I told him I had been to the cemetery, found my great grandfather’s grave and was given index cards of Shaffner burials.  He said; “Well you got more than I have ever gotten from that cemetery.” He continued his appraisal of me and it didn’t look favorable for obtaining his help.  He brought out the family file and said; “There isn’t much in it”, as he threw on the table.  His action indicated that I was rather a nuisance.  The older family friends who were driving me around, were asleep in the lobby chairs by this time.  He nodded to them and said, “Are they with you”?  I opened the file to discover the letter that my cousin Donnee Shaffner Stibal had written requesting information.   He made a comment about the letter and I opened my folder and showed him the letter that he had written to Donnee after receiving he(.   r letter.  He was rather shocked (remember I said I inherited a collection) and he remarked; “Oh you are for real”!  After that He couldn’t have been more helpful!

A. G. Lloyd Memorial Address

Albert Gallatin Lloyd, (A.G. Lloyd), was born in Missouri in 1836, and came west on the Oregon Trail in 1845 with his father and family.  He was an Indian War veteran and moved to Waitsburg, Washington in 1859 after marrying Lois Lloyd in 1858. (information from Lloyd Family Bible) 

A. G. Lloyd is my great great grandfather.

My research indicates that he began serving in the Washington Territory Legislature in 1867.  Washington became a state in 1889.  He had a long distinguished career in Legislature.  A.G. Lloyd died 5 January 1915. (Washington Death Certificate).

He was honored in a Memorial Address at the Washington Legislature in 1915.  All the Memorial Addresses are in a bound book in my possession.  

Memorial Address Honoring A. G. Lloyd


MR. MASTERSON SPOKE AS FOLLOWS:

Mr. President and Associate Members of the Fourteenth General Assembly:

“Tell me not in mournful numbers life is but an empty dream, And the soul is dead that slumbers, life is not what it seems.

Life is real, life is earnest, and the grave is not its goal.

Dust thou art, to dust returneth, was not spoken of the soul”

A. H. Lloyd was born in Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1836.  At the age of nine he moved with his parents to Benton County, Oregon. There, amid the forests primeval and close to the heart of nature, his youth and early manhood was spent. There, through patient endeavor and self denial, he developed those sterling traits of character and that splendid physique which so admirably fitted him for the stern duties of a pioneer.

In 1859 he was married to Louise Jasper, and shortly thereafter moved to Touchet Valley in Southeastern Washington.

Mr. Lloyd was elected to the Legislature in 1893, and for four terms served the state in the lower house.  Though never indulging in disputation, his keen insight into the subtleties of legislation and his unfailing good humor made him a power in caucus and committee.

Mr. Lloyd took an active part in the early Indian Wars, and became Grand Commander of the Indian War Veterans of the Pacific Coast.  In 1894 he was appointed by President Cleveland Register of the United States Land Office at Walla Walla, and so well did he conduct the affairs of this then important post that he reflected credit, not only upon himself, but upon the administration which he represented.

Useful and varied as has been the public service of Mr. Lloyd, he is best known as friend and neighbor.  He was a man of cheerful disposition and he retained his clearness and vigor of intellect up to his closing day.  Though he died full of years and ready to be gathered to his fathers, the grief that is now felt is widespread and sincere.

His best monument will be the good report he has left behind him.  He exemplified, by his pure and honorable life, the teachings of the Golden Rule, and unfailingly evinced a practical piety that will long be remembered as the best of professions.

In temperament he was mild, conciliatory and candid, and yet remarkable for an uncompromising fairness which could not yield to wrong.  Men, women and children sought his counsel and sympathy, and never was a confidence betrayed, and today many there are who may justly attribute their success in life to the wise counsel or kindly admonition of this venerable neighbor and friend.

And, Mr. President, this afternoon memories of George Lloyd twine as tender tendrils around the hearts of us who knew and loved him, and wafts the sacred name of friend and neighbor down over the billowy seas of endless time to transcendent glories among the immortals.[1]

---

[1]Memorial Addresses In Joint Session of Senate and House, Fourteenth Legislature of the State of Washington, 1915. Olympia, Frank M. Lamborn,, Public Printer, 1915.

Compiled by A. J. Hoskin, Senate Reading Clerk.  Page 111-112.

Della Kurtz-School Memories

As the school year begins, thoughts of what school like for our ancestors passed through my thoughts.  I remembered this collection of my Grandmother's school years.  The memories are in a scrapbook album, made by my cousin, Donnee Shaffner Stibal.  Her notes indicate that the original copies of the diplomas are in her files.  The diplomas were large and she states that the copy was reduced in size.  A picture of a rolled up diploma with a ribbon comes to mind, but I have no idea if that is how Della Kurtz received her diploma!


Della Kurtz was my grandmother who was born in Muncy, Lycoming, Pennsylvania on 29 October 1886.  She was the daughter of Emanuel D. Kurtz and Mary Etta Deewall.
Della married John F. Shaffner in 1913.

These are her report cards

Top Left:  Second Intermediate  1896-1897

Middle top:  Freshman

Top Right:  Sophomore 1902-1903

Bottom Left:  Junior  1903-1904

Bottom Right:  Senior  1904-1905

Her diploma from Department of Public Schools

1902

Della Kurtz 1905

Graduation

Donee wrote that Aunt Edith (Della's sister) gave the picture to Donnee when she graduated from High School

Della Kurtz's Salutatory speech in 1905

 Della's High School Graduation

 Della's Diploma in 1905

Don Shaffner DVM

In honor of my Father's birthday on 18 November 1919.

The majority of his life was spent as a veterinarian.  Although ranching was his 1st love, 

he enjoyed his work as a veterinarian.  

He was good at what he did, he mentored many and served his profession in many organizations.

Even today when faced with a problem or issue, I think WWDD!

Returning from World War II and the benefit of the G. I. Bill, Don knew that Veterinary School was something he could do.  Growing up on the ranch gave him knowledge of working with animals and while ranching was in his blood; he knew it wasn't possible to ranch with his brother and his father.  The ranch just wasn't large enough.  He was discharged from the Army on the 23rd of June 1945.  I am not sure when he applied for Veterinary College but his letter of acceptance was written on August 30th.   I wonder when he physically received the letter.  It didn't give him much time to report to college by the 17th of September!

He was accepted to Washington State College of Veterinary Medicine.  

One of courses he had to take was anatomy.  

 They worked on embalming and on embalmed horses

 

Because of Don's knowledge of animals, he told stories of how he would teach the class on how to 

lay a horse or a cow down on the ground with a ropes.   

After 4 years, Don graduated in May of 1945

Attending Don's graduation was (L to R)

Estella Shaffner, Dean Shaffner, Della Shaffner (his mother), Don (in graduation gown), Calla Lloyd (Mom's mother), George Shaffner and John Shaffner (his father)

and in front, Donnee Shaffner

(Don & Helen were married in July of 1946)

In order to practice in Montana, he had to pass the exam. 

His license number was 177.

I was fortunate enough to accompany Dad to his 50th Veterinary College Class reunion in 1999.  

Each veterinarian  told of their career and accomplishments.  Each had amazing stories and many told how much receiving an education with the G. I. Bill meant to them.

Someday I will try and write his story, but without his twinkling blue eyes telling the story, not sure I can do it justice! Let's just say, it was a tad different than those who were bragging!

  

Don and Helen returned to Dillon in 1949 where he went to work at the Dillon Veterinary Hospital.   He was able to purchase the hospital in 1961 and sold it in 1979.  He continued to 

maintain his veterinary license for several years because obtaining his education and license was 

very important to him.

 My sister & I spent many hours working along side Dad, both in corrals and the Veterinary Hospital.  As I write the stories, there are tons of memories; but I can still smell the inside of the clinic;  the odor of medicines, vaccines, Nolvasan, Clorox and animals!

Tattoo pliers for Brucellosis ID

1945-1975

The pliers were even welded to keep on working!

They saw lots of cow ears and green paint!

Don Shaffner

18 November 1919-25 October 2009

He was born 98 years ago today

1866 January 19 John Lloyd writing to his brothers & sisters

The original letters have been donated to the Fort Walla Walla Museum in Walla Walla, Washington.

John Lloyd, who is my3rd great grandfather wrote this letter 151 years ago to his brother, Robert,  in Grainger County, Tennessee.  John talks about his family, who had died, the ages of children and who might get married.  He mentions his father's estate, who died in 1857; 9 years earlier, was telling his brother what to do with his share of the inheritance.  

I transcribed exactly how he spelled the words.

Enjoy reading and imagine living in that era.

Benton County State of Oregon  January 19 1866

Dear Brother and Sisters and to all whom this may consern

I once more sit down to write to you owing to our national troubles and there being no mail facilities I have not wrote for 4 or 5 years past  I received no answers from 2 or 3 of the last letters that I wrote to you

I am enjoying good health though the tender mercies of indulgent god and I sincerely hope this letter may find you and the family connection enjoying the like blessing---it is reasonable to suppose that some of the connection has gone to their long homes since I have heard from you---my Dear Brother I have had but one letter from you since the death of our Mother   I will now I will state something about my family conserns   my second wife died last fall  I raised five Daughters they are all dead—I have 4 sons living 3 of them is married and has settled in Washington Territory near 400 miles from me---William the youngest son and myself lives to gather.  He is not married but I expect he will be in less than a month—the boys is all making a comfortable living—William the youngest child will be 25 years old the 21^st of February next---my health is good—I am able to work for my living—I am in my 70^th year—I have a plenty in my hands to live without work—all of my Daughters was professors of religion—I have 2 sons that is not----

Brother Robert as to Fathers estate—I am at a loss what to say—as your section of the country as been torn to pieces with internal wars---I think it is quite likely property of the country is destroyed—if there should be any thing coming to me—I would like to have things so arranged that my oldest Daughters children who live in Platte County Missouri could get it—if this letter comes to hand—I want you to answer it and write to me—what the state of affairs is in relation to Fathers estate is------so I will change the subject to a more pleasing theme—There has been quite a revival of religion this fall in some localities laterly I have seen the most visable displays of divine power that I ever witnezzed in my life.  I think I was made to exclaim and say with poet---sovreighn grace alone has power to subdue a heart of stone—it and the moment grace is felt-Then the hardest heard will melt---Politiks has been a bone of contention and the bane of religion among us—the churches is held to gather politicaly and not religiously—it is lamentably true that politiks appears to be the bond of union in the churches instead of the internal love of god shed abroad in the hearts of the members—I will state prices    wheat  $1  oats 75 cents per bushel   pork $10  per hundred beef cattle on foot  $5.50 per hundred   good horses from $150 to 200 a piece   our currency is gold   no property sold in this country for greenbacks   yet there has been a great many debts paid off in greenbacks—I had to take over $1400 where I had loaned gold—the only thing the Republicans and Democrats agree in is in abusing the greenbacks.  The people in Oregon has great reason to be thankful we have no fighting no roling in this country in consequence of the war-----

If Robert is dead or moved away I hope some the family connection will be so good as to answer this letter—I shall no more hopeing to meet you in heaven above where all is love on andams peacefull shore where parting will be no more—

                        John Lloyd

N. B.  this letter is intended for all of the family connection

These are the original letters which have been digitized.

Lida Lorene Shaffner Gibbons

Lida Lorene Shaffner

Lida (Lyda) was the older sister of my grandfather, John Fanoit Shaffner.  

Lida was born 16 February 1885 to John Martin Shaffner and his wife, Elizabeth Deborah Fletcher in Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania.

Vida's brother's & sister were Willard Fletcher Shaffner (1881-1973), Ettie Viola Shaffner Mayer (1883-1915), John Fanoit Shaffner (1887-1991), Bert Lawrence Shaffner (1889-1957), and Walter Ruskin Shaffner (1899-1916).

Lyda married Harold Clinton Gibbons on 23 September 1904 in Lindlay, Steuben, New York.
I have been unable to find a marriage license.

From "The Patriot", Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Thursday, 29 September 1904

page not given, column 6

Lida and Harold had 2 children:  Earl C, born 23 April 1905 and Alida Alice born 27 June 1907

Lida died on 7 March 1908.

She was 23 years old.

Lida's death certificate

The cause of death was Uremia with contributory issues of Pyelitis & chronic valvular-affections of Heart; both mitral & aortic regurgitation since June 1907.

My grandfather's note states that she died in Harrisburg while visiting her husband's family.  He also stated that she had rheumatic rheumatism was a child.

From "The Patriot", Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 10 March 1908

Mrs. Lydia Shaffner Gibbons, wife of H. B. Gibbons, died Saturday morning after a lingering illness. She is survived by a husband and two children.  The funeral was held from the home of W. B. Gibbons, 613 Emerald Street, yesterday afternoon at 2 o'clock.  Interment was private.

Lida is buried at the East Harrisburg Cemetery.

The undertaker was E. H. Fracklen, 1312 Derry Street, Harrisburg

Lida Lorene Shaffner

Lida Lorene Shaffner

Grandpa Shaffner, her brother, spelled her name two different ways

I think this is an older Lida than the other pictures

Earl Gibbons 1907

Picture was labeled by Grandpa Shaffner, Lida's brother.

I assume he identified the picture correctly.

Alice & Earl Gibbons, children of Harold and Lida

Harold was born in April of 1905 and Alice was born in June of 1907

Lida died in March of 1908

Locating the children, I would guess this picture was after 1908

Harold, Alice and Earl Gibbons

Looking at the size of the children, I would assume this picture could have been taken by Vida's death in 1908

Lida, Ettie and Williard Shaffner

About 1890 per Grandpa Shaffner

Lida was born in 1885, Ettie was born in 1883 and Willard was born in 1881

Lida would be 5, Ettie would be 7 and Willard would be 9 years old

Photo take by C. W. Steinmetz, Harrisburg, Pa

The pictures came from a scrapbook that Donnee Shaffner Stibal assembled with Grandpa Shaffner's help.  Grandpa was very good about labeling pictures.

Grandpa Shaffner is John Shaffner

A letter from the Oregon Territory on 14 November 1852

John Lloyd from Benton County, Oregon Territory is writing to brother, Robert in Grainger County, Tennessee.

Nancy and John Lloyd went to Oregon via the Oregon Trail in 1845.  They never saw their daughter Jane again.  She had married before they left Missouri to George Murphy.  He writes that his father in law, Abner Walker has been dead over 3 years and Cousin William Smith and his wife are both dead.  He is amazed his parents are still alive.  

The price for commodities is very interesting:  Wheat is $3.00 a bushel (not much different than today's prices!)  Beef is 8 cents per pound on the hoof.  Donation land was awarded to those who were on the land before December 1, 1851 and must remain on the land for 4 years.  Head of household received 320 acres if they settled between December 1, 1851 and 1853.  And he said that the best land in his area has been claimed.

To:  Mr. Robert Lloyd

                Rutledge  Granger County  Tennessee

Return address:  Jennopolis O.T.

                                Nov 30 52

Oregon Territory   Benton County November 14 1852

Dear Brother and Sisters and to all the family connection  

this leaves me and mine in moderate health through the mercies of an indulgent god hopeing this may find you and yours in health and prosperity

   Dear Brother  we received yours of July 27^th  October the 31 with pleasure as it was the first we had received in 3 or 4 years   we never expected to hear that both of our aged parents was a living again   the young may die but the old must die and our brother in law has falling victimz to the monster death  while our aged and feeble parents is still on the stage of action   my family connection in Oregon is all well except William Miller that married daughter Eliza   his health is bad and fear will never be good   he has a consumption  the childrain is all making out well   our oldest Daughter Jane that was married in  Missouri still remains there   they talk of coming to Oregon if they can sell their land but I think it is ___ certain about their coming   Cousin William Smith and wife is both ded   Abner Walker father in law has been ded over three years  there has been the largest emegration this season that ever came to Oregon in one year  they were not molested by indians on what is called the north rout but the Indians killed 11 men on the South rout  no women or children murdered that I have learnt     the  ____nation  (emegration) suffered much with sicknez and there has been quite a number of deaths among them  they are all into the settlement by this time as I am told  there teams failed and they got out of provisions all the latter part of emegration lost probably over half of their cattle that is take them one with another   they must have suffered in the extreme if had not been for the hospitality of the people in the valley who contributed largely in money and provisions  also went out with teams and helped them across the mountains

I will now say something about my own affairs    we are doing well and getting on well as respect the things of this fife  I have put up a good house which is in an unfinished state though we are living in it  I have got it weathered  boarded the chimneys up windows in floars in not laid  doors shutters hung in part I have done the work or nearly so with the exception of the chimneys I suppose it will take me until next fall to complete the house and paint it off

Dear Brother Oregon is a remarkable easy country to live in particularly for those that has many cattle   a man in Oregon with good milch cows can realize more clear money free head from them than he can from the labor  the same number of Negro men in the states unless it is in cotton or sugar growing states   cows sell here from 75 to 100 heifer calves of good stock at weaning time can not be purchased at $50  per head   I would like to buy some at this time at the above named prices if I knew where to find them    wheat crops was light this season  wheat is worth $3 per bushel which sets hard on the new emegrants  though them that has been in the country long enough to get a good start can pay $3 easier than to pay 50 cts in the states   I will try to give prices of produce and groceryes   coffe 331/3 cts   sugar 12 ½ cts  butter 50 cts  cheese  371/2 cts   beef is worth 8 cts per pound on foot  hogs $8 per hundred    grass oats $1.25 per bushel  Irish potatoes $2 and 2   50 cts per bushel in market  beef in market is worth 12 to 15 cts  groceryes is unusualy high at this time  I purchased my groceryes last season at the following prices  coffe 10 cts   sugar  10 1/3 cts  syrup 28 cts  dried fruit 10 cts  salt $2 per hundred   course boots $2 to 3 per pair  rice 10 cts per pound  dry goods has been low for some years past but is scarce and high at this time though there is plenty to supply the wants of people  dry goods and groceryes has been shipped to this country in abudance here tofore and sometimes they could not get anything like cost for their goods-I will say Oregon is a healthy country there is but few fevers among the people though consumption and breast complaints is not very uncomon  I have not seen the first of fever in the country yet there is some cases of fever in Oregon   Dear Brother you requested me to give you some information about Oregon   I have nothing new to write as respect the country   I wrote to you about the donation Bill which gives 640 acres of land to heads of family who settled on the same prior to the 1stt day of December 1851 and remains on the same four years     Said Bill Allso gives 320 acres to heads of families who settles on the same between the 1^st day of December 1851 and 1853 at which time the donation Bill (proves) (expores)  the best of the land is claimed in the section of the country where we live-- ---

  We have three childrain living with us the youngest which is Boys they are going to school at this time  

Nancys health is not good yet she is in better health at this time than what she has been in for the three past    I have enjoyed very good health generally speaking   through life I am now in my fifty seventh year have worked very hard most of the time and do more work at this time than any man of my age that I am aquainted with but I am failing fast  and in a little time my Sun will set to rise no more   we wish to be remembered to father and Mother and all the family connection  may heavens shortest blessings rest upon and abide you all so fare you well excuse bad writing and selling omision of words  JC

                                                                John Lloyd

                                                                Nancy Lloyd

These original letters were digitized and have been donated to Fort Walla Walla Museum in Walla Walla, Washington