Just How Irish ARE We ???

My brother Walt (Walter Ross Conner, Jr.) was born 8 March 1926, a week before St. Patrick’s Day.  He was so proud of his name CONNER and his Irish heritage!  In my other brother Bob's baby book, their mother, Bertha Jane Hancock Conner, wrote that his great-grandfather had come from Ireland.  She then added the common story of how the name had been O'Conner but someone had fallen overboard and another passenger named O'Conner had thrown the O overboard as a lifesaver to the drowning man—so our name was now Conner—without the O.  

Back in 1994, following the death of Mom, Arlene Noyes Conner, and my inheriting soo-o much family information, I began my genealogy research.  Walt was really excited—I could find out more about our Irish heritage!  At that time I knew nothing beyond William and Sarah, our grandparents!  Grandpa William had died 28 Jan 1926, only about 5 weeks before Walt was born.  Grandma Sarah died 2 Jan 1937, just before Walt turned 11 years old.  Walt said he did remember Grandma, though they lived five states apart (Wisconsin to Pennsylvania), Grandma came to stay with Dad and the boys following the death of Bob and Walt's mother, Bertha Jane Hancock Conner, on 17 Feb 1929.  Walt would have been just short of three years old.  Grandma even shows up as living with them in the 1930 census!  Grandma stayed with them until Dad married my Mom, Arlene Noyes, on 14 June 1931.  

In 1994, Walt was still under the impression that it was his great-grandfather who had come from Ireland!  How disappointed he was when I was able to push our Conner line one generation back and learned Grandpa Conner's father, John J Conner (24 Sept 1821 - 16 Nov 1899) had been born in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia!  His wife, Elizabeth Walter, was of German descent.  More research—another generation, James Conner—(birthdate is questionable - 8 April 1854).  He married Ann Margaret "Peggy" Huddle whose grandfather had probably come from Germany or Switzerland.  Poor Walt!  Even less "Irish!"  At one point, he kiddingly told me to "Quit researching!"  But I plodded on...William Conner (birth place and date unconfirmed - < 12 July 1841 when his will was proved).  The earliest I have found for him was his purchase of 50 acres of land in the Northern Neck in the Shenandoah Valley in 1803.  

So, just how IRISH are we?  Well, it’s a matter of timing, really!  Do we ask, “Where were my ancestors living in 1900?  1800?  1700?  1600?  1500? …?  Since my most recent immigrant ancestor arrived on American soil in about 1842, if I ask, “Where were my ancestors living in 1850?” I’m 100% “American.” If I ask, “Where were my ancestors living in 1600?”  I’m mostly English and German—and Irish!—after all, the name Conner has to come from Ireland doesn’t it?    

Dad always referred to us as being “Scots-Irish.”  “Scots-Irish” has as many definitions as it does authors writing about them!  Researcher Linda Mele says on her web page:  

(http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~merle

Who are these people? "Scotch-Irish" are people who emigrated from the province of Ulster [Northern Ireland] in Ireland to what was to become the United States of America. Here they were one of four groups who defined "American." "Ulster Scots" are people of presumed Scottish origins living in Ulster, Canada, Australia, England and elsewhere. Generally they were Presbyterian in religion though you find Methodists, Quakers, and Baptists among them as well. It has been said of them that the Scots-Irish were:

Brewed in Scotland
Bottled in Ireland
Uncorked in America

I find it very difficult though to believe that any hardcore Presbyterian, Methodist, Quaker, or Baptist would thusly describe themselves!  

Wikipedia describes the Scots-Irish as “American descendants of Ulster Protestants who immigrated from northern Ireland to America during the 18^th and 19^th centuries, whose ancestors had originally migrated mainly from the Scottish Lowlands and Northern England (and sometimes from the Anglo-Scottish border.)  

The term Scots-Irish is never used in Ireland.

What makes an Irishman an Irishman?  CriGenetics Cellular Research Institute posted on its blog, crigenetics.com, and on FaceBook this past week five reminders that affect the definition of an Irishman.  (1)  King Henry VIII of England conquered Ireland and established the Kingdom of Ireland resulting in much intermingling between the Irish and the English (1540 - 1690).  Therefore, British Isles will likely show up as a DNA ancestry result for anyone claiming Irish heritage.  (2)  In 1160 CE, the Normans, whose ethnic roots originated in the north of France, invaded Ireland, and DNA results often show France along with the Ireland.  (3)  The Vikings first invaded Ireland in 795 CE.  The vikings were Germanic people who had settled in Scandinavia during the Viking Age, diluting the “pure Irish.”  (4)  Around 400 CE the Romans overtook

Britain, then the British conquered the Irish in the 16^th century—don’t be surprised to find some Italian in your DNA!  (5)  Back in the 500 BCE - 400 CE period the Gaels/Celts who had Germanic roots made their way into current Ireland.  So, the people we think of as “Irish” may be a combination of:  German, Italian, Norwegian, French, and English!  And the post doesn’t even mention the great influx of Scotsmen who migrated to Ireland in the 18^th and 19^th centuries.  

AND, current theory is that all homo sapiens began in Africa!  

Sorry, Walt!  I know your DNA wouldn’t show you’re all Irish—BUT, we know you’re certainly an Irishman at heart!  AND you certainly made the final statement.  You passed into your heavenly  reward on MARCH 17, in the year 2002!  We all love you, Walt, and are sure you’re up there floating on green clouds!

MY VETERAN BROTHERS

Back when my sister Clarice and I were growing up we had two "big brothers!"  Bob went away to college the year Clarice was born!  But, 70 years later, they look like such "little boys"--but doing men's jobs!

 Robert Hancock Conner
U.S. Navy, SM 2/c
March, 1943 - 28 Nov 1946

BOB
15 June 1923 - 12 Dec 2003

Letter from Mom Arlene Conner to Grandpa and Grandma Noyes, 15 March 1943.  "...A letter from Bob stated that he had the German measles.  Said he'd felt rotten all the way out [to Farragut Naval Training Station for basic training] & on Monday morning noticed quite a rash so went to an M.D.  Dr. said he was nearly over them & told him to go along as if nothing had happened...."

"Home Breezes, Greetings to the Boys in Service from The First Methodist Church, Wausau, Wisconsin," Vol. 2, June 1944, No. 6.  "Robert Conner--we all remember his fine record in High School; after graduation he entered Cornell College, Mt. Vernon, IA, and after 1 1/2 yrs. he enlisted in the U.S. Navy.  Upon the completion of his boot training at Farragut, Idaho, he was transferred to the Navy school at Los Angeles where he entered the branch of signaling.  Here he finished one of the two highest in the class.  For advanced training in merchant signaling he was sent to Treasure Island in the Pacific out from San Francisco.  Thence he was sent to New Orleans at which port he embarked on the new merchant ship 'Thos. F. Cunningham' on which he has since made three trips to England where he is at present."

Farragut Naval Training Station, Farragut, Idaho.  According to Wikipedia, Ground was broken in March 1942 and by September the base had a population of 55,000, making it the largest city in Idaho.  Over 293,000 sailors received basic training at Farragut during its 30 months of existence.  The last recruit graduated in March 1945 and the facility was decommissioned in June 1946.  It was also used as a prisoner of war camp--nearly 900 Germans worked as gardeners and maintenance men.  Wikipedia also says that "In 1942, Lt. Commander Henry T. McMaster, supervisor of support services at the station, contracted photographer Ross Hall to produce group and portrait photos of all recruits and companies.  Operator of a studio in nearby Sandpoint, Hall employed up to 15 workers in creating a photographic archive of more than 300,000 images."  This picture of Bob is undoubtedly one of those images!

The "Thos. F. Cunningham" was one of 2,718 "Liberty ships" built between December 31, 1941 through October 1945--the greatest shipbuilding achievement in history.  They were nicknamed "The Ugly Duckling" by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. 

Though Bob was discharged from active duty in November 1946, he spent over two years confined to a sanitarium and the VA hospital as a result of tuberculosis contracted while in the Pacific.

Walter Ross Conner, Jr.
U. S. Navy, Ph.M 3/c
30 Apr 1944 - 20 Aug 1946

WALT ("Junior" until into High School)
8 March 1926 - 17 March 2002

Letter from Mom Arlene Conner to Grandpa and Grandma Noyes, 3 March 1944.  "Jr. went to Milwaukee Mon nite to enlist in Navy.  Tried out for Navy Air Corps but was rejected on account of his heart (result of rheumatic fever a year ago).  That Dr.  told him he wouldn't get anywhere, but he tried out for regular navy & made that.  Then he took advanced tests for specialized training & made that.  Will receive training to be with the medical division.  He's very happy about that as it was what he really wanted....  Won't be called until after he's finished school...."

(Continuation of "Home Breezes...June 1944..., above, BOB.)  "Walter Jr. - He too enlisted in the Navy...with the privilege of completing his H.S. work. Just recently he was ordered to report for duty in Milwaukee where he will attend summer school for preliminary training."

In March 1945, Mom Arlene Conner wrote to Grandpa and Grandma Noyes, "Jr. is in seventh heaven. He's so happy.  Is in Surgery now & yesterday we had word he'd gotten the rating of HA 1/c which gives him an added $12 per month.  He sure is a happy kid. Wish you could see some of the letters.  I surely hope twill be possible for him to become a Dr. It's the only thing for him....  Walter R. Conner, H.A. 1/c, U.S. Naval Hospital (Staff), Surgery #2, Box "S," Oakland 14, California.

Walt wrote to our folks on 10 Aug 1945.  "California is really joyful today and our hospital is just about the happiest spot I think.  Civilian photographers were out here this noon and took pictures of groups that gathered to celebrate....We had two radios going all the time so even the doctors doing their operations which were only the most needed ones could hear the latest news.  We heard that all traffic on the main street in San Francisco was closed off to avoid running over the rejoicing people.  Tonight everyone is going out if they have liberty as I am going to do.  No one wants to be on the base when Washington accepts the Jap peace offer...."

Two days later, from Walt....  "It is now Sunday afternoon.  There isn't anything going on here so we are sitting around listening to the radio for the Jap announcement.  Yes, it won't be long now till we know one way or the other.  Everyone has been carrying their radios around with them to work to hear any latest development."

15 August 1945, from Walt....  "The war is over, and don't think I'm not happy.  You might have heard over the radio about San Francisco but if you didn't I'll tell you a little of what went on.  They rolled over three taxi cabs, broke windows, climbed buildings and everything possible...."

In a letter to our parents on 21 Aug 1946, Walt wrote, "Dear Folks, I am out finally.  I was discharged at 3:32 yesterday afternoon.  It certainly is a wonderful feeling being a full fledged civilian again.  I can't believe it yet...."  He signed it, "Your loving civilian son, Walt"

Below is a poem, typed on U.S. Naval Hospital letterhead, that was with Walt's letters.

                                                      My Heros

                               Little boys, with hands so red,
                               When some guy bled and bled.
                               Little boys, with gowns bespattered,
                               You look as though that's all that mattered. 

                               Some have fought with sword and saber;
                               Others, just with manual labor,
                               But with eyes on distant futures
                               You have fought with clamps and sutures.

                               Asepto syringes are your rifles,
                               Though they seem but merely trifles.
                               Loaded with saline for the strife,
                               They haven't taken, they've saved a life.

                               With haemostat ready, and movement quick,
                               You clamp a bleeder, smooth and slick
                               Then, reinforcements, more mature
                               Up front comes your ligature.

                               Then your sutures of gut or cotton.
                               Ah no, lads!  You've not forgotten.
                               Others have gone to the field to kill,
                               But you're saving life, and always will.
                               You can't wear ribbons by glory won,
                               You've missed a lot cause killin's fun;
                               But here's my confession.  I never knew.
                               I owed my life to the surgery crew.

                                                                      author unknown                              

Acknowledgements and many thanks to:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farragut_Naval_Training_Station

http://skylighters.org/troopships/libertyships.html

WALTER ROSS CONNER

I'm posting this on the 125th anniversary of Dad's birth!  The following was written by the Reverend Harlan C. Logan, who, as he indicates in the last paragraph, knew Dad from about 1920.  He wrote this to be included in the Memoirs, of the Minutes of the West Wisconsin Conference of the Methodist Church, 1956.  Mr. and Mrs. Logan were next door neighbors to our family at the Lakeland Ministers' Retreat, Barronett, Wisconsin since the mid-1940s.   Mr. Logan died in 1961.  I have inserted the pictures.

"Walter Ross Conner was born in McVeytown, Pennsylvania on February 19, 1888.  He was one of thirteen children, and at thirteen years of age he realized that he must help support his family.  He left school at that age to work in the mines of Pennsylvania, and for ten years toiled at rugged work in loyalty to his loved ones.

Ross, as he was generally called by those who knew him well, was a deeply religious lad, and often prayed for God’s guidance into a life of service to people.  At the age of 23, he was able to return to school, and faithfully completed the studies of the seventh and eighth grades, then continued in preparatory school, entering Williamsport Dickinson seminary and was graduated in 1915.

During those school years, Ross found time to minister to many people in the mountain sections of his home state, preaching to the lumberjacks, and at times, serving as many as six churches on a circuit.  Thus he learned to evaluate people on many classes, understand their problems, and lead many into fellowship with God.  Truly, a fine foundation for his Christian ministry in the years that followed.  He joined the Central Pennsylvania Conference on trial in 1917.

Bertha Jane, Walter Ross, Jr. (b. March 8, 1926),
Ross, Robert Hancock (b. June 15, 1923)

Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, was chosen by Ross for his college work.  His previous missionary work enabled him to secure a student pastor charge during his four years at Ohio Wesleyan.  In 1920 he was graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree.

Determined to get full preparation for his future work, Ross at once applied for admission at Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston [Illinois].  It was while attending Garrett that he was appointed student pastor at Menominee Falls, serving there during his three years at Seminary.  On July 28, 1921, he was united in marriage with Bertha Jane Hancock of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania, who proved to be a fine helper in Christian work.  To this union two sons were born, Robert, and Walter, Jr.

Ross finished his work at Garrett in June, 1923, and in September was appointed to the pastorate at Burlington, Wisconsin and transferred his membership from Pennsylvania, to the Wisconsin Conference.  In February, 1929, he was appointed to the pastorate of the Whitewater church.  During their preparation for moving to the new charge, Mrs. Conner became seriously ill, and lived but a brief time.  This was a severe trial for Ross, but with his two small sons he moved to his new charge and began another successful pastorate.

Christmas, 1953.  Bob behind Millie (Yoder) holding
 Bradley, Grandpa William H Noyes behind Grandma
 Daisy (Eales), Walt behind Ruth (Walrath) holding
Nancy, Dad Ross behind Mom Arlene (Noyes)
  Darlene, Sidney (son of Bob and Millie), Clarice

On June 14, 1931, Ross was united in marriage to Arlene Noyes, of Hebron.  In the years that followed, together they served the Methodist churches at Whitewater, First Church; Green Bay, First Church; Wausau; and Wesley Church, La Crosse.  At the West Wisconsin conference of 1948, Ross was appointed Superintendent of the Southern District, serving the full term of six years.  He was appointed to the Portage Methodist Church in June, 1954.  This pastorate was suddenly ended on October 18, 1955, by his sudden death, caused by a severe heart attack in the early morning of the day.

So, for 35 years, Ross was an active, progressive worker in the Wisconsin Area, serving many major boards and committees.  He was also active in the work of the Wisconsin Council of churches.

The immediate family members surviving are his wife, Arlene, two sons, Robert, pastor of the Methodist Church at Oregon, Wisconsin; and Walter, on the staff of the Eau Claire County Guidance Clinic; two daughters, Darlene Annette and Clarice Marie, at home, and five grandchildren.  Two brothers and four sisters live in Pennsylvania and one sister in Florida.

Memorial services were held in the First  Methodist Church in Portage.  Those with whom Ross had so recently worked as cabinet members of the conference, conducted the service; Bishop H. Clifford Northcott, Rev. Deane Irish, district superintendent; Dr. Fred J. Jordan, Rev. Paul White, Rev. Raymond J. Fleming, and Rev. A. R. Henry.  Serving as pall bearers were four Portage pastors of other denominations:  Rev. Lloyd DeJong, Rev. Charles Abele, Rev. Calvin Ley, Rev. Ortwin Hanson and two neighboring pastors, Rev. Harold Singer of Baraboo, and Rev. Walter Hobba, of Poynette.

Having served in the Southern district when Mr. Conner was Superintendent, Rev. Nathan Thorp, Rev. James Paulson, Rev. Ralph Shackelford, and Rev. Robert Adams, comprised the quartette singing Charles Wesley’s fine Hymn, “Servant of God, Well Done.” 

Interment was made in the family lot at Hebron, Wisconsin. 

Just these personal words:  I have known Ross since his student pastorate at Menominee Falls, Wisconsin.  I was then his District Superintendent, and obtained his transfer to Wisconsin from Pennsylvania.  For the past several years our families have been close neighbors at our ministers’ retreat at Sylvan Lake, Barron County.  I shall miss him keenly, but happy memories will abide.  Harlan C. Logan"

GRANDMA'S CHRISTMAS COOKIES

Grandma Daisy Noyes' Christmas cookies!  Yum-m-m-m-m.  I can't remember ever not having Grandma's Christmas cookies!  I can remember back in 1948-54 (I'd have been 8 to 14; my sister Clarice would have been 6 to 12) we lived in Madison, Wisconsin--about 40 miles from Hebron where Grandpa and Grandma lived.  We'd make weekly or bi-weekly visits out to see them.  Even into July, just before we'd leave in the evening for home, Grandma would take us into her parlor, uncover her card table and let Clarice and me each take one cookie to eat on the way home.  We'd ponder over which cookie to select. On the way home we would compete to see who could make their cookie last the longest. We'd slowly nibble on a few crumbs, working our way up to the head and then saving the "eye"--silver nonpareils--for the very last bite.  Grandma's cookies were nearly all animals--lions, dogs, cats, rabbits, roosters, some stars, some bells; very few trees and Santas. I nearly always won!  As an adult I've often wondered how Grandma could keep those cookies so long!  Granted, their parlor was always cool and dark, and they had better control over their sweet tooths--but--6-7 months?  I can't help but wonder if perhaps she replenished that card table periodically just for the benefit of Clarice and me!

I have a more updated recipe--which includes instructions! But I wanted to go back through Mom's and Grandma's recipes to see if I could find Grandma's original recipe. The recipe above is in my Mom Arlene's handwriting. It does include the source of the recipe--but NO instructions!  My goodness, how cooking and baking has changed! This was likely handwritten in the 1920's.  The Ludemans were neighboring farmers to Grandpa and Grandma.  Eventually, perhaps upon my prodding, Mom added the instructions:  grind the nutmeats and raisins together with a little flour; mix all ingredients; chill overnight; roll; cut; bake at 400 degrees until done; frost with powdered sugar frosting while still hot; decorate.

After Grandma died in 1956, Mom would continue to make the cookies--but Clarice and I were always part of the process.  It really takes an assembly line when they come out of the oven--one person to frost while still warm,  more than one to decorate--depending on how fancy we want to make them!  Once the frosting hardens, the sprinkles and "eyes" don't stick!  After Clare and I were married in 1963, we'd go to Mom's to make a batch every Christmas. Even after Clare and I moved to San Diego in 1980, she'd make them (and a special box of pecan fingers just for Clare) and mail them to us out here.

I still have Grandma's meat grinder.  The day after Thanksgiving, our son Brian and I decided we were going to try to make Grandma's Christmas Cookies!

"L. F. & C.
NEW BRITAIN. CONN U.S.A.
No. 2
UNIVERSAL FOOD CHOPPER"

PAT. OCT. 12, 1897.  APR. 18 1899.
RE. SEPT. 5, 1899

"PAT. MAY 15, 1900.
CANADA PAT. OCT. 12, 1897"

Brian is grinding the raisins and walnuts with a little bit of flour.  We had to run it though a couple times to get it fine enough so we could roll out the dough and cut the cookies.

Here you can see the changes in cookie cutters over the years.  The oldest ones that were Grandma's were sturdy metal (note the rabbit, heart and traditional sugar cookie cutters).  Later cutters had wooden handles screwed on (note the star). Still later, metal handles were soldered on (note the rooster  with the red handle).  More modern ones just had a handle sliced into the cutter and stretched up. Now days, most are plastic--and don't cut nearly as nicely!

Brian rolling out the dough.

All these from one batch!

 You can see we  didn't carry out the  "old-fashioned" way  too far--no aprons  (clothing is easier to  wash today), and
 we used parch-
 ment paper (didn't  want to scrub those  cookie sheets).

READY TO EAT AND SHARE!

Many thanks to Helen Ludeman Thayer for help in identifying Mrs. J. Ludeman, and to Brian Sampley for a wonderfully fun day!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN--1908 STYLE!

1909 Halloween card by artist
Ellen H. Clapsaddle

Halloween 1909--more sweet than spooky! This card was sent to my Mom, Arlene Noyes when she was four years old, from a cousin, Mary Birdie Eales (19 July 1873 - 24 October 1952).  Birdie's father was Benjamin Eales, a half-brother to my Grandma Daisy. Uncle Ben was an engineer for the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad. Birdie moved with her father and mother from Wisconsin to St. Paul sometime prior to 1895. Her mother died in 1903 and she continued to keep house for her father until his death in 1914. I have many, many greeting cards from Birdie to my grandparents and my mother. Birdie never married.  While still at home, she was a sales lady for various dry goods and leather goods stores. Later she became a live-in maid. Though I would have been 12 when she died in 1952, I do not remember ever having met her.

Reverse of Ellen H. Clapsaddle card

The Halloween card above is signed by Ellen H[attie] Clapsaddle (1863-1934), described by Collectors Weekly as "one of the most prolific American postcard artists of the era...[she] produced some of the most collectible Halloween cards today for Raphael Tuck and Sons...Her style is distinct, particularly her illustrations of children."  There are about 3,000 Ellen H. Clapsaddle signed cards.  The card below is a "TUCK'S POST CARD," produced by 'Raphael Tuck & Sons' "HALLOWE'EN" Post Cards Series 150, Art Publishers to their majesties The KING & QUEEN.'  It was printed in Saxony. As adorable as it is, it does not appear to have an artist's signature, as the the one above by Ellen H. Clapsaddle.

1908 Halloween Post Card published by
Raphael Tuck & Sons

TUCK'S POST CARD reverse

This TUCK'S POST CARD appears to be the oldest of the group, as it was postmarked October 16, 1908. It was also sent by Cousin Birdie and addressed to my Mom, Arlene Noyes, though the message was obviously meant for her Mom, my Grandma Daisy, as Mom would have been only three years old!  Birdie wrote, "Dear Auntie.  How are you folks, hope you are all well.  this is  beautiful day and to nice to be in side.  Now I suppose your busy time is most over. I hear Myrtle was burned out of their new home. Now I think between you and Aunt Anna. might drop a line once in a while--A big kiss for Arlene.  Love, Birdie." [Myrtle Hake was another Eales cousin--daughter of Aunt Harriet/Hattie Eales Wilcox.]

Collectors Weekly writes, "It was the Victorians who homogenized diverse Halloween traditions in middle-class England and America.  For them, it became a genteel holiday about romance, parlour games, and child's play.  Even ghost stories were softened into tales of passion, as members of high society competed to one-up each other with their Halloween parties."

"The late 1800s also marked the beginning of the 'golden era' of postcards.... Turn-of-the-century Halloween postcards featured cute, fat jack o'lanterns topped with equally adorable chubby-cheeked children. Black cats, which used to be burned at Christian festivals for being "witches familiars," were also cuddly icons of these cards, while the witches were often depicted as very pretty ladies bringing messages of love."  This trend of sending postcards lasted into World War I.

Here is another artist signed card. The "HBG" can be seen in the lady's skirt.  To again quote Collectors Weekly, "H.B. Griggs is another highly collectible holiday postcard artist, although so little is known about Griggs it is unclear whether the illustrator was a man or woman.  Griggs, using the signature H.B.G., published almost exclusively for Leubrie and Elkus of New York." He/she painted about 350 known cards.  Griggs was known for his/her flair for caricature and humor.  I'm not recognizing what the artist was depicting in this post card.  No publisher is noted on this card, but it does say that the card was printed in Germany, as were most of the picture post cards of the era.  I find the back of this card interesting because with little handwriting on it, the embossing of the card is visible.  Each of these four cards is embossed, enhancing their being true works of art.

Later Halloween Post Card
No year in Postmark

Later Halloween Post Card
Not as cute and cuddly as earlier cards.

This fourth post card appears to be later than the others--certainly no chubby-cheeked children or cuddly black cats in this one! Though the reverse has a postmark, it only reads, "Whitewater Wis. Nov 1 2:30 PM"  No year!  There is no signature that I can find, and no publishers' identification other than "Halloween Series No 3."  This one was sent to my Grandma Daisy from her older sister Lucy Jeannette Eales Brown.  "Dear Daisy: Are you going to meet on Annie's birthday.  Let me know if you are.  I am about sick with a cold, hope this fines you all fine.  Lovingly Nettie."

Acknowledgements and my thanks to the following websites:
www.collectorsweekly.com/postcards/halloween
www.vintageimagecraft.com/griggs.html

AUNT ANNIE BUTTS THE BURGLAR!

Rockford Daily Republic
Rockford, Illinois
Thursday, July 11, 1929

A couple errors in the newspaper article:  Mrs. A. E. Brown was the daughter-in-law of Mrs. Beth Brown, not her daughter;  the granddaughter was Beatrice Audrey Brown, not Beatrice Aubrey Brown; another local newspaper reported that the gun she was using was a .38 automatic pistol.

I was really tickled to find this newspaper article and the one from the Rockford Register-Gazette of the same date.  I got to see Aunt Annie in quite a different light than I remember her.  A lady who carried a gun and knew how to use it!  And wasn't afraid to use it!  I first introduced Aunt Annie in Blog Post #1, "The Eales Ladies."  Aunt Annie came to live with us in March 1950 following a hospitalization resulting from a fall and broken arm.  She stayed with us for two years--I would have been about 10 and my sister Clarice was 8 when she moved in with us.  Prior to her fall she'd been living with my Grandpa and Grandma William and Daisy Noyes  in Hebron, Wisconsin, but Grandma Daisy was not well and the additional household member was difficult for her.  We were living in Madison.  Aunt Annie had her own nice little room there where she frequently kept her self holed up.  The room had been converted for her from Mom's sewing room. Aunt Annie always wanted to be helpful--always did the dishes (Clarice and I loved her for this!) and kept the kitchen floor swept after every meal.  She regularly asked for hand mending to do and Mom was always happy to oblige. Aunt Annie marked every piece of cloth that she owned--with a little embroidered eyelet hole in the corner or hem someplace.  Every dish towel, face cloth, handkerchief, slips and other underwear were beautifully marked.  She'd never sew at night.  It was hard for her to see--"The light isn't the same as daylight."  I could never understand this--THEN! But, Oh, how I appreciate this NOW--60+ years later! But she had some quirks! She hoarded toilet paper! She'd go into the bathroom, unroll great streams of it.  Then re-roll it and tie it up in pieces of blue ribbon and store it in her chest of drawers.  She was always going to her room, pulling out her black envelope-style purse, and checking to be sure her rings were safety-pinned to the lining.  This she'd do as often as every ten minutes--even more often if we were driving someplace in the car!  She had two ancient electric curling irons--neither of which worked.  But several times a day she'd pull them out to see if they might have magically returned to a working state.  I could never understand using such an old-fashioned device where one could only put in one curl at a time!  Little did I know years later they'd again become such a popular appliance!

Aunt Annie
Anna Elizabeth (Beth) Eales Brown

Aunt Annie really had a pretty rough life.  Born 7 Nov 1869 in Hebron, Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Though she was married  to Charles Edward Brown in 1886 when she was 17, there were no children for the first eight years of their lives together.  Their first baby, Arland G, born 31 Jan 1894, succumbed to whooping cough at only six weeks old.  It was another four years before their second baby was born.  Ardrey E was born 10 Jan 1898 (year is possibly 1897).  Eight years later, on 29 June 1906, Charles Edward passed away, a victim of complications of diabetes.  Young Ardrey  became his mother's whole life.  Aunt Annie never remarried and it was very difficult during this time in history for a single mother to make it.  She took in sewing and offered to do housework.

Ardry and Hattie's wedding
8 June 1916, Ft. Atkinson, Wis

But, Ardrey grew up and when he was only 18, on 8 June 1916, he married Harriet Edith Hafermann (10 June 1897 - 24 June 1991).  Ardrey and Hattie continued to live with Aunt Annie (or she with them!).  In November 1924 at just fourteen months of age, Ardrey and Hattie's first born--a son named Jack Arden--passed away of tuberculosis.   Prior to his death, Aunt Annie had written to her sister, my grandmother Daisy Noyes, on March 7th of 1924, "...baby has been pretty sick for three days he has got a bad cold and two little teeth are in sight so they can bite..."  Then a week later on March 14, 1924, she again wrote to Grandma Daisy, "...Jack has got two pretty little teeth, he don't feel just good. I can't get out of his sight he crys for me...."  A year later, on 25 August 1925, a daughter was born to Ardrey and Hattie--Beatrice Audrey.  She was a real charmer and soon became the object of her Grandma's devotion.

Then--in Nov 1939, the ultimate tragedy for Aunt Annie.  Her only living son, Ardrey, died suddenly of a heart attack.

Beatrice and Bruce Irish
5 October 1944

Aunt Annie remained devoted to Beatrice.  On 5 Oct 1944 in Waupun, Wisconsin, Beatrice was united in marriage to Bruce R Irish.  After the wedding Aunt Annie wrote to my Mom Arlene Conner in La Crosse, Wisconsin, "Just think My Little Beatrice Grownup and married and Arlene she is a sweet girl boath in ways and looks--she was sure a Pretty Bride White Satan with train and veil and carried Red Roses Her Daddy's Flowers and Arlene she made me Promis that I would not cry so I looked at her and smiled for somehow It Just seemed that her Daddy was with us and was smiling too and somehow it has taken a heavy load of from my mind For her hubby Bruce is such a fine young man comes from a splendid Father and Mother.  And belong to the same church that Beatrice does. They was married in Church By Candel Light.  He has sure a bit of the country so fare."

Beatrice Audrey Brown
at about the age when
her Grandma "Butt the Burglar"

Beatrice and Bruce seem to have broken the spell--they had five healthy children, the first in 1948--all "B's"--Bryan, Bradford, Bickey, Bill and Brenda.

In the mid-40's life again got hard for Aunt Annie.  Her landlord needed her apartment and she needed to find another place to live. Nothing seemed to be available. She spent some time in single rented rooms--whatever she could afford on her Old Age Assistance--and some time with a niece in Fort Atkinson, my grandparents, and my folks.  In 1952 she moved into a care facility in Stoughton, Wisconsin.

On 15 Feb 1940, Aunt Annie had written to my mother, "... and dear Want to ask you something more.  When the little Fellow comes and you name him try and put In the A some place it kinder runs in the Family you know.  Daddy [Ardrey] named both of his babys with an A beginning their middle name.  Jack Arden and Beatrice Audry.  Well dear the name will not matter so much if only all is well and I am sure it will be..."  Two months later, on 16 April 1940,  I arrived.  Mom did better than just begin my middle name with an A.  She and Dad named me Darlene ANNette.

Aunt Annie died 4 April 1956 in Stoughton.  She is buried without a gravestone in Evergreen Cemetery, Fort Atkinson. Her husband, Charles Edward has TWO gravestones, one in Evergreen Cemetery in Fort Atkinson, and one in Hebron, Wisconsin. Also in Evergreen are Ardrey, daughter-in-law Hattie Brown Stadney, and Grandson Jack Arden.  Son Arland is buried in the Hebron Cemetery, Hebron, Wisconsin.  Of the five Eales sisters, three died in 1956--Grandma Daisy at 80 in February; Aunt Annie at 86 in April; and the oldest, Aunt Harriet at 96 in May.  May God bless each of them!

1908 CONNER REUNION

1. "Grandpa Conner."  William Bennett Conner.  25 October 1851 in VA - 28 January 1926 in McVeytown, PA.  Grandpa and Grandma Conner were married 16 March 1876 in Woodstock, Shenandoah County, VA.  They had thirteen children, ten of whom survived to adulthood and were at this 1908 Conner Family Reunion.  
2. "Grandma Conner."  Sara Catherine Huffman Conner.  7 January 1857 in VA - 28 January 1926 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, PA.  Grandpa and Grandma Conner were married 16 March 1876 in Woodstock, Shenandoah County, VA.  They had thirteen children, ten of whom survived to adulthood and all were at this 1908 Conner Family Reunion.  
3. Florence May Youtzy.  10 July 1902 in McVeytown, PA - 13 June 1977.  Florence was the daughter of Aunt Maggie and Uncle Clay Youtzy.  She married Carl Stanley Pannebaker.  They had one daughter.
4. Mary Catherine Youtzy.  15 Feb 1904 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA -- 1 March 2002 in Norristown, Montgomery County, PA.  Mary was the daughter of Aunt Maggie and Uncle Clay Youtzy.  She married Melvin Richard "Mooch" South.  Mary had one son and four daughters, including twins both who died in infancy.
5. Mary Elizabeth Conner.  29 October 1900 in Oliver Township, Mifflin County, PA  -- 7 February 1969, McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA.  Mary was the daughter of Uncle Dave and Aunt Eve Conner.  She married Herbert Wilbur Grassmyer.  They had four sons and one daughter.
6. Gladys Bertha Conner.  14 October 1904, Oliver Township, Mifflin County, PA -- 5 July 1989, Lewistown, Mifflin County, PA. Gladys was the daughter of Uncle Dave and Aunt Eve Conner.  She married Russell Dowain Henry.  They had two sons and two daughters.
7. "Uncle Ben."  Wilson Bennett Conner.  4 November 1898, in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA -- 19 February 1984 in Brevard County, FL.  He married Erma Viola "Peg" Lauver, and Estelle Emma Weber Offill (1976). Uncle Ben and Aunt Peg had one son. Uncle Ben was a photographer with the Pennsylvania Railroad.  Uncle Ben was the last of the 10 children to survive.
8. Helen Lorraine Conner.  9 November 1902  in Oliver Township, Mifflin County, PA -- January 1982 in McClure, Snyder County, PA.  She was the daughter of Uncle Dave and Aunt Eve Conner.  She married Harry Landis Colabine, Sr.  They had one daughter and three sons.
9. Beatrice Evelyn Myers.  10 September 1903 in PA  -- 6 July 1997, Braddock, Allegheny County, PA.  Daughter of Aunt Bessie and Uncle Oscar.  Married to Russell Semmel and Herb Hensel (1963).  Evelyn had no children.
10. "Aunt Mabel."  Anna Mabel Conner.  24 February 1890 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 5 November 1966 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, PA.  Married Ralph Vernon Harris (1915).  They had two daughters.
11. Friend of Aunt Mabel's.
12. "Uncle Clay Youtzy."  Clay Warren Youtzy.  15 May 1876 in Oliver Township, Mifflin County, PA -  15 September 1955 in PA.  Married Nora Magnus "Maggie" in 1897.  They had four children, two sons dying suddenly at ages 37 and 41.  
13. Howard J Youtzy.  (He's being held by Uncle Clay.)  14 March 1907 - 20 February 1945.  He was the son was Aunt Maggie and Uncle Clay.  Married Virginia M "Virgie" Hertzler.
14. Carl Russell Youtzy.  (In front.)  1899 - 7 September 1940.  He was the son of Aunt Maggie and Uncle Clay.  Married Esther Snow.
15. "Uncle Dave."  David William Conner.  25 April 1877 in Shenandoah County, VA - 5 November 1951 in PA.  Married Eve Elizabeth Mertz.  They had 13 children, twelve who lived to adulthood.  Daughter Doris will be 91 on 22 November!
16. "Aunt Maggie."  Nora Magnus Conner Youtzy.  6 September 1878 in Shenendoah County, VA - 7 November 1945 in PA.  She married Clay Warren Youtzy.  They had four children, two sons dying suddenly at very young ages.  Aunt Maggie was the first of the adult siblings to pass away.
17. "Aunt Eve."  Eve Elizabeth Mertz Conner.  16 October 1875 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 6 February 1945 in PA.  Aunt Eve married Uncle Dave (1896) and they had 13 children, four sons and 9 daughters all but one daughter living to adulthood.  Daughter Doris will be 91 on 22 November!
18. Lillian Gertrude Conner.  (Being held by Aunt Eve.) 25 July 1908 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 14 February 2002 in McVeytown.  Lillian was the daughter of Uncle Dave and Aunt Eve.  She married Joseph Albert Cavanaugh (1929). They had seven children, four sons and three daughters. 
19. "Aunt Bertha."  Bertha Susan Conner.  26 April 1886 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 2 July 1969 in McVeytown.  Aunt Bertha never married.  She was a school teacher.
20. "Aunt Bessie."  Amanda Elizabeth "Bessie" Conner Myers. 10 February 1883 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 30 August 1973 in PA.  Aunt Bessie married Oscar Raymond Myers and they had three children, two daughters and one son.
21. Sara Amanda Myers. 8 March 1908 in Altoona, Blair County, PA - 31 July 2006 in North Huntingdon, Westmoreland County, PA. Sara never married.  She was a school teacher.
22. William Floyd Conner.  1 Nov 1896 in Oliver Township, Mifflin County, PA - 28 April 1956 in McClure, Snyder County, PA.  Bill was the son of Uncle Dave and Aunt Eve.  Bill married Katharine Irene Bowers (1923) and they had 6 children.
23. "Uncle Oscar Myers." Oscar Raymond Myers. 18 August 1884 in PA - 19 February 1959 in PA.  Uncle Oscar married Aunt Bessie.  They had three children.
24. Kathryn Margaret Conner.  23 September 1898 in Oliver Township, Mifflin County, PA - 9 May 1988 in Lewistown, Mifflin County, PA.  She married Harry J Shehan (1922) and they had two daughters and two sons.  
25. "Aunt Laura."  Laura Grace Conner.  8 April 1892 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 23 April 1980 in Riverside, Riverside County, CA.  She married Harry Benjamin Purvis  (1917).  They had four daughters, only one of whom survived her.   
26. "Uncle Sam."  Samuel Floyd Conner.  24 June 1893 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 22 April 1960 in Allensville, PA. Uncle Sam married Blanche Charlotte King (1914) and they had five sons. Their son Donald is a Pearl Harbor Survivor and will be 93 on 1 October!  
27. My Dad, Walter Ross Conner. 19 February 1888 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA - 18 October 1955 in Portage, Columbia County, WI.  Married Bertha Jane Hancock (1921). Following her death in 1929 he married Arlene Noyes (1931).  He had two sons with Bertha Jane, and two daughters with Arlene.  Dad was a Methodist clergyman.  My sister Clarice and I--the two youngest of the 36--are still here!
28. "Aunt Gertie."  Gertrude Tellula Conner.  19 February 1885 in McVeytown, Mifflin County, PA -- 25 March 1974 in Melbourne, Brevard County, FL.  Married John Goodman (1942). She always said she waited so long (57 years old) to marry because she was "waiting for a good man!"   

First Generation
Second Generation, 13 children, 3 died in early childhood, 10 lived to adulthood.  All ten are in the picture above.
Third Generation, 36 children, 34 lived to adulthood.

The date February 19 seems to be very prevalent in the Conner Family! My Dad Ross was born February 19.  Aunt Gertie was born February 19.  Uncle Ben died February 19. Uncle Oscar died February 19.  My brother Walt and his wife Ruth were married February 19.  Walt and Ruth's grandson Nathan was born February 19.  Aunt Laura's daughter Nancy died February 19.  Others?

With many thanks to Cousin Sara Myers for identifying everyone in this picture, and to Cousin Isabelle Mowery for helping collect the data.