#50 Tradition. The Christmas Angel

#50 Tradition  Angel for Christmas Tree

Created in 1972 by Clarice Gabel

Placing the angel on the top of the Christmas tree is a tradition in our house.  Angel is placed on top, after the tree is decorated!

When we married, my mother-in-law created the angel for our First Christmas.  It is crocheted.  I believe she stiffened it with sugar and water but I am not sure.  And she can’t remember what she did.  

So for 47 years, after the tree is decorated, the angel is put on the top.  The honor of placing the angel on top was often given to our children.

After Christmas it is returned to the original box that she gave it in.

If anyone knows how to stiffen crocheted items, please let me know!  

#49 Craft. Family Quilts

49 Craft

Quilts have been created by my family over the years.  I cherish and admire each piece of work.  But I don’t quilt!

My 3rd great grandmother, Lois Jasper Lloyd, created this quilt.  We think she created it for their 50th wedding anniversary in 1908. She used ribbons they received at Pioneer Association meetings for traveling the Oregon Trail and observing that my 3rd great grandfather was an Indian war veteran.

Crazy Quilt with ribbons

I think Lois created this quilt.  It was just a top and I think Mom had it quilted.

My mother, Helen Lloyd Shaffner,  created quilts.  The cathedral window quilt is my favorite.  I remember her working on it for years, all hand sewn. She sewed many of our clothes as we grew up.  Even remodeling clothes.  

Cathedral Window Quilt

My sister, Gail, also quilts.  I am the lucky recipient of her work.  From quilts, table runners to pillows.

Quilt

A small quilt with family pictures

Quilted table runner

Pillows with family pictures.

#48 Thief. Newspaper gave Ancestor's name!

#48 Thief

Witness in Court-Tom Gabel

As I began genealogy research, I discovered a family in Jefferson County, Nebraska in the 1910 Census that almost matched Leroy’s great grandfather’s family, Philip Gabel.  But ages were correct for the children but names were different for the twins that born in 1909 in Nebraska, after the family arrived in the United States from Russia.  The twins were named Ferndinand and Adolph.

I was quite sure that this was the family I was looking for, but when I questioned members of the family; they assured me that I was wrong.   The twins had been known as Tom and Otto.  Of course there was the issue of location as no one in the family knew  they had been in Jefferson County, Nebraska.  

Archived newspapers are a great source of information.  I love and hate them because they are fantastic reading, contained incredible information and I end up wasting time reading them!  But one snowy day I decided to search the Gabel family.  It is always helpful in genealogy research to search for information on siblings.  So I began with Tom Gabel.  

And what a gold mine I discovered!  In February of 1928, there was a cattle rustling trial in Forsyth, Montana.  The chief witness for the state was 18 year old Tom Gabel.  Tom was employed by a rancher and aided in the theft of the cattle and helped cut away the original brands.  Tom stated on the stand that he left the employment when he was ordered to steal 50 head of cattle.  

But the newspaper reporter wrote about Tom Gabel’s life!  He stated that Tom had been born in Nebraska and had been on his own since age 16.  Tom grew up in the Billings and Huntley area and worked on the Cold Springs ranch near Forsyth.  The reporter stated that “Tom was christened Ferdinand”.  As Tom was growing up, Tom Mix was the western movie actor that Ferdinand Gabel admired.  Ferdinand was nicknamed “Tom” by his friends!

I remember letting out a yell….I was right!  And doing a genealogy happy dance!

Staff Correspondent, “Spirit of the Old “Wild” West Prevades at Forsyth Trial of Rancher for “Rustling”, The Billings Gazette, (Billings, Montana), 20 February 1928, p. 1-2, image copy, newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/image/413320267 : viewed 9 December 2019)

#46 Poor Man-Poor Man Immigrant

#46 Poor Man. 52 Ancestors in a Week

Poor Man immigrant

As the immigrants came into the United States, they had to declare how much money they had on them.  Can you imagine coming into the United States in 1907, with a wife and 2 children, and have only $10?  

Leroy’s great grandfather, Philip, and his family came into the United States in 1907.  They boarded the ship Aconia, in Libau, Lativa.  Arriving in New York on 10 June 1907, he had $10, and hope.  The family had left Russia for a new life in America.  

The history of the Germans in Russia is tragic and sad; and many began leaving for a better life.  Philip chose America where other relatives had gone.  I wonder how they communicated so he knew where his brother lived.

But when Philip came into the United States, he stated he and his family were going to his brother Henrich Gabel at 925 S. Y Street in Lincoln, Nebraska and a mailing address of P O Box 975.  

Since Phillip only had $10, he had to call his brother and have money sent to New York.  Philip and his family were detained until 17 June 1907.  They were discharged at 10 AM and had to pay for 28 breakfasts, lunches and dinners.  Apparently Heinrich sent enough money for a train ticket to Lincoln..

Imagine that you spoke only German, had no money, and were detained at Ellis Island until money was sent.  Meanwhile you waited and waited  for money to arrive and the payment was made for your train ticket to family.   What were the thoughts of Philip and his family as they were detained?  Did Henrich and his wife, Katherina, think they were poor?  But he had $10, how did he even save enough money in Russia for the trip to America?  Did his brother send money to Russia to pay for the passage?  So many questions.  

The children were Henry, who was 5 years old and Molly, who was 3 years old.  The passenger list has another child listed, Anna who was 11 months old.  A line was drawn through her name and research indicates that she never boarded.  We do not know what happened to Anna.

Phillip and Katharina Margaretha Gabel [Gobel]

Henry and Molly

#45 Rich Man. Don Shaffner--his 100th Birthday

#45 Rich Man.   52 Ancestors in a Year.  100th Year for Don Shaffner

In the west and ranching lifetyle, a rich man describes himself wealthy if he: 

Has a good wife, a good dog and a good horse

Don Shaffner considered himself a rich man since he had all 3.  

Since today is Dad’s 100th Birthday, I dedicate this blog to him.  

Dad & Mom celebrating an anniversary at the ranch at Grasshopper Creek

Dad married an incredible woman, Helen Lloyd.  She stood beside him in his ranching and veterinary practice, yet she wasn't fond of animals and allergic to them!  But she could cook and host a party, sew for her daughters, as well as being a bookkeeper at the veterinary hospital.

Dad doing what he liked best.

Feeding his calves

Dad loved a pack horse.

He grew up packing to his sheep camp.

He had more than one good horse in his lifetime

He loved big Morgan horses that could travel the country; mostly at a trot!

Dad and his dogs!

Unfortunately I couldn't find a picture of his favorite dog.  It would be hard to tell which was his favorite dog, because he always named them Smoky!  Always a blue heeler and always a spayed female.  I will keep looking for Smoky pictures.

But in the meantime, his last dog was Blackjack.

After his head injury, Dad was spending time at our house.  I thought maybe a dog is what he needed to help heal as a dog would need care.  Dad was very good at caring for his dogs and they were always well manner, house broken and knew their owner.  We visited a neighbor who raised dogs and I knew they had good border collies.  They also had a miniature schnauzers.  And to my amazement, Dad chose a miniature schnauzer.  He said he knew that he would no longer be riding and didn't need a dog that required work.  He picked out Blackjack and I convinced him that we should go home and think on it.  The next day when I returned home from work, Dad asked if we could go get his dog and he had already named it Blackjack.   He smiled as we left, carrying the puppy in his arms.  As everyone knows, Schnauzer's bark-maybe even when a leaf falls off the tree!  But what we didn't know, is that Schnauzer's don't know where home is and like to wander.  As dad's condition worsened, he paid less attention to Blackjack.  Gail and her family spent hours looking for Blackjack and I think the town of Dillon knew Blackjack!  

I am not sure if this was his best dog!  

After all, it wasn't named Smoky!

But it was a dog that gave him lots of happy moments.

Happy Birthday Dad!

#44. Trick or Treat Find Peter Paul Deewall

#44 Trick or Treat  52 Ancestors in a Year

The trick was to find the passenger record of Peter Paul Deewall.  Records for Peter Paul had been searched many times.  But there was a trick involved to find it.  It took research to find the trick!

Spending a week at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City was the beginning of the treat.  I was certain I could find the information I needed at the world’s best location for genealogy records.  I knew the details of his life, and had read numerous accounts of his story.  But searches revealed nothing.  

The family story written by his daughter tells the story of Peter Paul leaving Germany in the middle of the night with family friends since his stepfather disliked him.  I knew the name of the friends so searched for his friend, Ludwig Odom.  And I found a Ludwig Odon baptism record in Germany.  I knew it was Peter Paul’s friend!  I was assured that there is no way I had proof and no way could I assume that was his friend.  But I KNEW…unfortunately I couldn’t find Peter Paul.

One morning at home, I sat at the computer and re-read the story and began on-line searching using wild cards in the search as well as different names that might sound like Deewall.  When I searched for Lewis Otton, I found the traveling group!  While I had searched for years for Mary Odom, Ancestry had indexed her with the last name of Widow; since that what was written on the passenger record.  And yes, Peter Paul Duval was traveling with them!  The age was correct for our Peter Paul Deewall.  Deewall and Duval are close, especially if one would be speaking German.  

 New York, Passenger and Crew Lists (including Castle Garden and Ellis Island) 1820-1957. Database with images, Ancestry. (http://Ancestry.com : viewed 4 November 2019), image 1042, Entry for Peter Duval, age 22, arrived 23 May 1842 on Rowland from Le Havre, List Number 354, Line 19.  Citing NARA, New York, New York, M237 (1820-1897) Roll 48.  

Further research would lead me to more information about Peter Paul Duval (Deewall) in Germany.  I was able to locate his birth and baptism and confirmation records.  A family list in the community listing everyone's pedigree provides information that Peter Paul's mother did remarry after the death of her husband. The family list also includes the date of May 1842 when the Odon family left for America.  But Peter Paul is not included in the information as leaving for America.   Perhaps the family story is true!

Evangelical Church in Ludweiler, Germany

The Treat was finding Peter Paul Deewall, and information.  But the real TREAT was going to his church in Ludweiler, Germany in 2015!  

#43 Transportion. Prairie Schooner was a hard way to travel

#43 Transportation. 52 Ancestors In a Year

Prairie Schooner was a hard way to travel.

My mother’s family traveled west on the Oregon Trail.  My great great great grandfather, John Lloyd, headed west in 1845 with 2 wagons and 10 family members.  My mother was able to obtain the letters he wrote back to his brother in Tennessee so we have a glimpse of the trip. 

I marvel at John Lloyd who left a farm in Missouri wonder what made him want to endure the months of hardship traveling to Oregon?  I often wonder what his wife said when he told her of his plans.  In order to make the trip, there was wagons and oxen to obtain, food to stock the wagons and decisions to be made of what to take west in limited wagon space.  In the research it seems that many from the same area were going.  There were meetings of planning, organization and developing rules to follow.  Deadlines for the wagons to meet before leaving, inspections of supplies, firearms and riders to organize to move the cattle.  Before they  left, John wrote to his brother telling him to be sure and write them in Oregon and have the letters in St. Joe by March of each year.  They left Missouri knowing that they might never see family again.  They left a daughter and her family assuming that they would come west the next year.  But she never did.

Dad examines a diorama at The Archway in Kearney, Nebraska

I had passed under this museum, The Archway, numerous times but never took the time to stop.  One day on a trip home from Kansas in 2002, Dad & I stoped.  It was so worth the time and money.  Dad was always curious how they hooked up the oxen; he was able to learn!

If you ever under The Arch, on I-80; take a few minutes & enjoy the tour.

My great great grandmother, Lois Jasper, was 13 when she left Missouri for Oregon.  Her father had died in 1845 and her older brothers and a sister had gone west.  One brother returned for his widowed mother, 5 siblings and an old maid aunt and took them to Oregon.  It was always said that Lois walked most of the way.  How did they finance the trip?  It wasn’t cheap to buy wagons, oxen and supplies.

Lois's mother, Polly Heath Jasper, carried this tin in her pocket.

I have traveled much of the trail and am constantly amazed at trip undertaken in the prairie schooner.  

How did they pull those wagons through the rocks around Scottsbluff?  

As you traverse the trail, especially through Wyoming, I wonder, how did they do it???  There are place on the trail that I am sure you can see where you will be camping at night, from the morning when you broke camp!   And in the horizon were huge mountains.  Did they wonder & worry how they would cross?

Of course the pioneers walked.  The wagons were rough riding as well as it was necessary to lighten the load.  I wonder how many walked barefoot?  There were not many shoe stores along the trail!  

Food and water on the trail were also an issue.  There are miles and miles where water wasn’t readily available.  And bad water was the cause of many deaths.  It was most important to water & feed the livestock first.  

And after you have been on the trail for months, when someone tells you they know a shorter and better way, what do you do?  Taking that advice led to a lot of problems for John Lloyd as he traveled the Meek Cutoff Trail in Oregon.  

The hard daily work of the people in the wagon train simply amazes me.  The wagons rolled out by 8 AM (information from a journal), so that meant breakfast must be prepared and served and dishes cleaned up.  Perhaps they had food from the night before, but otherwise a fire would have had to be built.  The process was repeated in the evening.  In the evening horses, mules and oxen also had to be fed.  How did they pack enough water?  How did they do laundry?  Or did they?  Women gave birth along the trail, maybe the wagon train held up for a day; maybe not.  If someone was sick; they often were left behind. 

Women wore Sunbonnets to protect their face.

The sun, the dirt.  Imagine trailing about 100 head of cattle along with the wagon train, plus horses and oxen.  I can see the dust!  

There was constant worry about Indians too.  One of my great great grandmother’s sister’s wrote of the Indian bothering them; but luckily nothing happened to either wagon train.  

Can you imagine rationing out your supplies of food so that you can survive to the end?  One letter John wrote to his brother said that they didn’t run out of flour or bacon but many in the train had.  Were there stores along the way to supply the wagons.  There were occasional forts and supply houses; but not many.  

Can you imagine the hard work that everyone did?  I can't.

The dairies tell of the hardship the women faced daily.  

There are numerous stories of how they roped wagons down steep hills, broke down the wagons to float across a river, the brut strength of women pushing the wagons up the hill, the brut strength of the men handling the oxen, repairing the wagons and helping each other.  I know all those stories, but I still wonder--how did they do it???  Day after day for 6 months...could you do it??

When we think we have it tough, I think of my ancestors on the Oregon Trail and realize life is pretty good.  Even waiting at the airport for a few hours isn't that hard!