Philip Gabel--The Challenge #2

Philip and Katharina Gabel

Henry and Molly

taken before twins were born in 1909

Henry was born in 1901

Molly was born in 1903

Philip Gabel is Leroy's Great Grandfather.  It was my probably first genealogy challenge although only one of many in researching the Gabel family.  

Since I have so much family history and memorabilia, it was shocking to me that my husband had limited information or knowledge of his Gabel ancestors.  

As I began to research the Gabel family, I was accepting a challenge!  For many years I stated that I suspected they were thieves and left no traces!  The Gabel family were Germans from Russia and over the years of researching the family, I have discovered the reasons for leaving no traces.   

I knew the aunts and uncles didn’t know very much after questioning them.  In fact one aunt told me that her father’s family had arrived in Lincoln, Nebraska by boat.

Researching the Gabel family has also been a lesson in learning the history of the Germans from Russia. It is complicated, terrible and sad as they emigrated from Germany to Russia (beginning in 1766-67) and then to the United States.

My first success was writing to Nebraska Vital Statistics and obtaining a delayed birth certificate for a brother to Leroy’s grandfather.  I am not even sure if I had information stating he was born in Nebraska, only a clue. As a beginning genealogist, I didn’t know the procedure!

Believe it or not, I received a birth certificate giving me information of a location.  I then looked in the 1910 census and discovered a Gabel family, but the names were a bit different for the twins.  In the census they were Ferdinand and Adolph.  When questioning the aunts and uncles, I was assured that I didn’t have the correct family as the twins were known as Tom and Otto. But my psychic sense told me I had the right family, which I later proved I was right.  (the difference in names will require another blog!)

I knew that there were four members in the Gabel family, Philip, Katherine, Henry and Molly.  Along with the twins in the 1910 census[1].  The census stated that they arrived in 1907 so figuring ages of 4 when arrived would help to find a passenger record. 

Looking for a passenger record presented problems.  The challenge is the name—Gabel, Gable, Gebel, Goebel and many other variations.  I found a record which I believe is the correct family coming through Ellis Island in 1907.[2]

But the problem are the first names; if I switch the names (as they were known in later life) to the ages, this is the correct family.  In the 1907 passenger record, Henrich is 41. Mary, his wife, is 37, their son Philip was 5 and their daughter Catherine was 3.  But they were known by the names given In the 1910 census, Philip is 44, his wife Katherine is 40, their son, Henry is 9 and their daughter Mary (Mollie) is 7. 

Philip & family arrived 10 June 1907 on the ship Arconia and they sailed from Libau.  They left 10 May 1907.  They were going to see his brother Henry who lived in Lincoln NE at 925 F. S, in Lincoln, NE.[3]  

The Heinrich Gabel was also detained.[4]  The reason for detention was calling for money.  They were discharged on the 11th at 9:15.  They were charged for 1 breakfast, dinner and supper.  

Further research on family finds an August Gabel  arrived in 13 May 1907 on the ship Moskwa, from Libau. And left Libau on 13 May 1907, arriving in New York on 30 May 1907.   He was going to see his brother, Henrich Gabel, who lived at 925 F W, in Lincoln, NE.[5]   August and family were also detained.  August reason for detention was telephone for money.  August and family were discharged on 4 June 1907.[6]  August and family were charged $2.30 for meals; 8 breakfasts and suppers and 10 dinners. They were detained for 4 days before money arrived. 

In both passenger lists, there is a daughter Anna listed, who is 11 months old, but her name has a line through it.  Research through Ellis Island indicates that Anna never boarded a ship.  Did she die in Libau?  Another challenge.  Somehow these families are related.

From all information I had gathered over the years on the Gabel family and various Gabel’s, I concluded that their village in Russia was Warenburg.  Working with the village coordinator of Warenburg, through the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia; she was able to connect the family in an 1885 Census/family list census and made some startling discoveries.

The birth dates of Henrich Philip Gobel born in 1866.  (making him 41 in 1907), his wife was Katherina Margaretha Klamm, born in October 1869, making her 37 in 1907).  And the Challenge is not over for the Gabel family!

Do you think I have the identified the correct family as Philip Gabel?

---

[1]Rock Creek, Jefferson, Nebraska. 1910 U.S. census, population schedule, Database with images. Ancestry.com. 12 January 2019, Philip Gobel (Gabel), NARA roll: T624_848; Page 3A; Enumeration District: 0104; FHL microfilm: 1374861 

[2]"New York Passenger Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957," digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2019), image 681 of 722, Line 26-29, Heinrich Gebel & family entry; citing List Number 7 of National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, 1897-1957, Roll 0916, Line 26, Page Number 109; Ship Arconia out of Libau, Lativa, Ulrich Baffer master, arrived on 10 June 1907.

[3]Ibid

[4]New York Passenger Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957," digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2019), image 681 of 722, Line 26-29, Heinrich Gebel & family entry; citing List Number 7 of National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, 1897-1957, Roll 0916, Record of Detained Aliens,  Ship Arconia out of Libau, Lativa, Ulrich Baffer master, arrived on 10 June 1907.

[5]"New York Passenger Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957," digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2019), image 177 of 738, Line 3-5, August  Gebel & family entry; citing List Number 7 of National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, 1897-1957, Roll 0910, Line 3, Page Number 90; Ship Moskova out of Libau, Lativa, V. Tranoff master, arrived on 31 May 1907.

[6]New York Passenger Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island), 1820-1957," digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 January 2019), image 247 of 738, Line 39, August  Gebel & family entry; citing List Number 7 of National Archives Microfilm Publication T715, 1897-1957, Roll 0910, Line 39, Record of Detained Aliens; Ship Moskova out of Libau, Lativa, V. Tranoff master, arrived on 31 May 1907.

#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