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DESCENDANTS OF SARAH HOLMES AND JOHN CROCKER


by The Rev. Ned H. Benson, D.Min.

nbenson@stjohnschurch.org
http://www.familyorigins.com/users/b/e/n/Ned-H-Benson/

 

FIRST GENERATION

1. Sarah HOLMES was born on 22 Nov 1832 in Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada. She died on 12 Aug 1916 in Lynn, Essex Co, MA. She was buried on 15 Aug 1916 in Newburyport, Essex Co, MA.
 

She was married to John CROCKER about 1855 or 1856. John CROCKER was born in 1794 in Digby, Nova Scotia, Canada.

He died on 14 Aug 1869 in Salisbury, Essex Co, MA. He was a Ship carpenter.

Sarah HOLMES and John CROCKER had the following children:
 

After the death of her husband, John, Sarah HOLMES CROCKER, unable to care for her children, turned the oldest four, ages 15 to 10, out on their own; she placed at least her twin daughters, Henrietta and Annetta, and possibly also Annie Adore and Dennis Whitman, in the Baldwin Place (New England) Home for Little Wanderers in Boston.

On 20 Oct 1871, Sarah HOLMES CROCKER gave birth to a son, named Warren. It is not possible for the boy's father to have been John CROCKER, who died more than two years previously. So who was the father of Warren? In the Newburyport City Directory, a man named Nicholas W. Bartlett has a separate address, usually as a boarder, for a number of years prior to the death of John CROCKER. In the 1874 Newburyport City Directory, however, Nicholas W. Bartlett has no listing at all; this might indicate that he had taken up residence with someone else.

In the 1880 Federal Census Nicholas W. Bartlett (see above) is listed as living in Sarah HOLMES CROCKER's home, "a married boarder separated from his wife." And in the 1880 Newburyport City Directory, and after, Nicholas W. Bartlett is listed as living at the address last listed for Sarah HOLMES CROCKER, but there is no listing for Sarah. The 1894 Newburyport City Directory indicates that Nicholas W. Bartlett "removed to Lynn." Information from other descendants is that later in life Warren Crocker changed his name to Warren CROCKER/BARTLETT.

From this information it appears conclusive that Sarah HOLMES CROCKER entered a "living relationship" with Nicholas W. Bartlett about the time she turned out her oldest children and placed at least two, and perhaps all four, of the younger children in an orphanage. By Nicholas Bartlett she bore a son, Warren, on 20 Oct 1871, while at least her twin daughters, Henriettta and Annette, were living in the Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers in Boston. Less than a year after the birth of Warren, Henrietta and Annette Crocker had been "placed out" with the Thomas Spalding family in Morning Sun, Iowa, from an Orphan Train. For this to have happened, Sarah HOLMES CROCKER's written permission was required, according to the known policy of the Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers.

Before making moral judgments on Sarah HOLMES CROCKER, however, consider the difficult circumstances faced by a 37 year-old widow with 8 children between the ages of 15 and 1, in 1869. She had little or no means of earning a living to support her children, or perhaps even herself. Necessity for survival sometimes requires decisions which, to those in later, more comfortable, circumstances, may appear terrible.

Sarah HOLMES and Nicholas W. BARTLETT had the following children:
 

SECOND GENERATION

4. James Barnaby CROCKER was born on 3 Feb 1857 in Newburyport, Essex Co, MA. James Barnaby Crocker settled in Selma, a fruit growing region. in 1911 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA. He died on 26 Feb 1924 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA.

From History of Fresno County, p. 1782-1783 (no date but probably shortly after WWI): J. B. CROCKER

Of New England birth and endowed with the characteristics that are supposed to belong especially to people of that section of the United States, i.e., frugality, thrift, and unceasing activity, J. B. Crocker is well known as a leading horticulturist of the Selma district, his intelligence and kindly disposition making him a general favorite in the community in which he lives. He was born at Newburyport, Mass., thirty-five miles northeast of Boston, February 5, 1857.

He is the son of John Crocker, a ship carpenter and a native of Nova Scotia, and Sarah (Holmes) Crocker. His father died at Newburyport, Mass., in 1869, at the age of seventy-four, when J. B. was a lad of twelve. His mother had seven children by her first husband, the father of J. B. She married a second time and had a son by her second marriage. She attained the unusual age of eighty-eight before her demise in Massachusetts in 1916.

A half orphan at twelve, Mr. Crocker at that time began to depend upon his own exertions for a livelihood, removing from the place of his birth to Maine, where he worked on a farm for four years. He then went to work in a cotton factory at Great Falls, N.H., remaining there six or eight months, until the panic of 1874 caused the cotton factories to close down. Afterwards he returned to farm work, which he continued until 1882, then went to work at the marble works at Rutland, Vt. From thence he went to Iowa, where he worked as a farm hand in O'Brien County. In 1886 he went to Kingsburg and made his first purchase in the Kingsburg Colony, three miles east and one mile south of his present place.

In 1892 he was married to Miss Mary H. Wildermuth. Of the four children born of their union, the three sons were United States volunteers in the recent world conflict. Clark W., a graduate of the Selma high school and Stanford University, was in the aviation corps at Berkeley; Percy S., also a Selma high school graduate, was a senior in the Leland Stanford University, pursuing the geological and mining engineer's course, when he enlisted for service in the World War.; Ernest H., a senior in the Selma high school at the time of his enlistment; and Celia F., a graduate in the Class of 1918, is now pursuing a post-graduate course.

In 1907, Mr. Crocker sold his Kingsbury Colony ranch and purchased his present home place of twenty acres, three miles east of Selma on the Canal School Reservation. He has always been particularly interested in education and in 1913 was elected a member of the board of trustees of the Selma high school, a school that ranks among the very best high schools in the State of California.

A true American and an ardent patriot, Mr. Crocker is held in the highest esteem. He is a member of the Modern Woodmen. He is a fine example of the California rancher who denies himself much in order to properly rear and educate his children. They are all high school and some are university graduates, while his three sons bear the distinction of having rendered excellent service to their country during the recent war. Percy S. served thirteen months in France, while Ernest H. was in the Coast Artillery in France. They have their honorable discharges, and came home safe and sound.

He was married to Mary Helen WILDERMUTH (daughter of John Hanna WILDERMUTH and Elizabeth Jane SUMMERS) on 29 Nov 1892 in Valley Springs, Calaveras Co, CA. Mary Helen WILDERMUTH was born on 13 May 1860 in Campo Seco, Calaveras Co, CA. Her father, John Hanna Wildermuth (* Fairfield Co, OH, 28 Jan 1818, + California 1 Apr. 1893) went to California in 1846 but returned to Missouri in 1856 where he married Elisabeth Summers (oo St. Francisville, MO, 5 Mar 1856). They stopped to visit his parents in Ohio enroute to the east coast to return to California by ship. In 1861 he built a large stone house at the approach to Pardee Dam, near Campo Seco, Salaveras Co, which became a noted landmark. Only the chimney is still standing. In this stone house, Mary Helen Wildermuth was born. She was buried in 1937 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA. She died on 27 Oct 1937 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA.

James Barnaby CROCKER and Mary Helen WILDERMUTH had the following children:
 

6. Annetta CROCKER was born on 11 Oct 1862 in Newburyport, Essex Co, MA. She had four daughters and three sons, according to Lena May Benson.

On 15 Sep 1997, Ellen Benson Knox wrote: I don't recall any other children except Allie and John Wyckoff. Always called her Cousin Allie and Mom (Lena) always corresponded with her. She and her husband, a dentist, LeRoy Adams, lived in CA and then K.C. She came to Guthrie to visit occassionally. It seems to me that they are Annettte Crocker's children.

Annetta CROCKER and ? WYCKOFF had the following children:
 

7. Henriette CROCKER was born on 11 Oct 1862 in Newburyport, Essex Co, MA.

She was placed out on 1 Jul 1872 in Morning Sun, Iowa, with Thos. Spalding.

Half-orphaned in Mass, brought to Morning Sun, Iowa at age 10. In 1865, the Howard Mission school principal, the Reverend Russell G. Toles, went to Boston to help that city's ministers organize the Associationoi for the Relief of Little Wanderers. Under this group's direction the Boston chairty, sometimes known as the Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers, was created as a refuge for the children of the immigrant poor and for those who had been orphaned or left destitute by the Civil War. Toles then left Howard Missino in New York and took on the role of the first superintendent of Boston's newest charity. ... From the first the home took in children from not only Boston but from surrounding states, and there was no discrimination on the basis of age, sex, religion, or race. ... Those that could be placed in private homes were given over to families to be legally adopted or "treated as a member of the family": indenture was not approved, and the home stressed that children were not to be used as servants or hired help. The need for the home, as well as its acceptance and success, can be seen in the numbers of children received in the first ffive years of operation. Between 1865 and 1870, at least twenty-five hundred children entered the charity's care, with a number placed beyond the boundaries of Massachusetts. In fact, soon after the charity opened, children were being found new homes, perhaps thinking of the hymn often sung by the home's youth choir - "Oh, think of a home over there." By September 1865 three companies had gone west, ad for the next forty years, from one to four companies of children were placed out each year.

The manner in which placements were made by the New England Home for Little Wanderers did not differ dramatically from the practices of other agencies. Nevertheless, ... there were definite ideas about correct procedures. First, the home staff targeted "a large town or small city of 8,000 or 12,000 people, with good schools and churches, and a good farming country around it." Ministers and prominent citizens were asked if they would aid in finding placement homes. When the answer came in the affirmative, groups of children were organized with as many as four adults in charge; one of these agents would precede the group to the town, arrange for local ministers to be involved, reserve rooms in the local hotel (usually hotels gave free lodging to the children), and see that handbills and posters were printed. Interestingly, reports of these emigrations stressed the large amounts of food taken along for the train trip and the face that the children had hotel accommodations until they were placed with families that had applied for and been accepted as worthy. Of his experience in Adrian, Michigan, one minister reported that fifteen children had been placed, but determining the suitability of homes had been difficult: "Others would apply and examine the children about as a man would a horse or ox. 'How much can I make out of this boy? ... seemed to be the idea. My answer was, 'Nay, if it is simply a matter of profit and loss, you must apply elsewhere. These children have souls to save as well as work to do.'" ... In fact, by 1890 the home was making it clear to all concerned that is placed out were to be "treated as *sons* and *daughters* (emphasis in original), and that legal adoptioon was highly encouraged."

[The Orphan Trains: Placing Out in America, Marilyn Irvin Holt, University of Nebraska Press, 1992, pp. 103-105.]

For many descendants of the place out and the population of placed out still living, the unknowns of the system create a circumstance by which they have no knowledge of their place in America's history or of past family histories and the whereabouts of relatives. This is a fact off late twentieth-century America.

A prevailing misconceptioon of the system is that all of those placed out were orphans. Most were not, having at least one parent living. Countless children were handed over by parents who could not care for them, and thousands of others had been institutionalized as "half-orphans" or because of destitution before the emigrated to new homes.

Placing out is much more than an account of children sent to faraway homes and separated from poverty-stricken families or removed from streets and orphan asylums. The system itself tells much about what America was like, what care existed for the poor, and what Americans believed about social welfare and themselves during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

[Ibid, pp. 157-159.]

Baldwin Place Home for Little Wanderers Officers of the Home: Rev. R. G. Toles, Suprt ... C. H. Minor, Asst' Supt. ... R. B. Graham, Visiting Agent Rev. S. S. Cummings, Missionary Agent

AGREEMENT

Morning Sun, Iowa, July 1, 1872

The undersigned agrees to receive to receive into his family Henrietta Crocker to be treated in all respects as a daughter. She is to receive a good common school education, to attend Church and Sunday-School, and to be cared for in sickness and in health. I will not dispose of the child in any way without the consent of the officers of the BALDWIN PLACE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERER, located in the City of Boston, State of Massachusetts. If I do not wish to retain the child I promise to return the same to the above-named institution, at my own expenses, if required. Should circumstances arise which should make my home unsuited to the wants of the child, or on proof being brought forward that the child was not properly treated or cared for, I will surrender the child to the Officers of the Home on their requisition, at their expense.

In consideration that I can have the full and entire control of the above-named child till of age, I cheerfully subscribe to the above conditions.

/s/ Thos. Spalding

WITNESS: C. C. Childs

RECOMMENDATION We, the undersigned, being personally acquainted with Mr. Thomas Spalding of Morning Sun, Iowa, and family, cheerfully recommend them as
suitable person to be entrusted with the spiritual as well as temporal welfare of any child.

/s/ Huy Wallace, Pastor UP Church

H. C. Blake M. Ochiltree

(*To be signed by the pastor of the church to which you belong, and two responsible citizens.)

[Original in the possession of Harold J. Kongabel, son of Henrietta Crocker Kongabel.]

She died on 25 Jul 1949 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK, in Benedictine Heights Hospital, Guthrie. Henrietta CROCKER was buried in 1949 in Summit View Cemetery, Guthrie, Logan Co, OK.

From Lena May Kongable Benson:

Henrietta Crocker Kongable, born Oct. 27, 1862, had six toes on both feet, six fingers on hands, extra fingers were removed when a child. Her twin sister Annetta Crocker Wyckoff did not have any extra fingers or toes. Neither did any of her four daughters or three sons.

Henrietta had nine chilidren:
 

When Henrietta and her twin sister Annetta were 7 years old, they were put in an orphan's home in Boston, Massachusetts. In June, 1872, they were taken to Morning Sun, Iowa for adoption. Henrietta Crocker was adopted by Thomas and Mary Spalding and lived in their home until she married William Frederick Kongabel on September 13, 1883. It was about this time he began leaving the letter "r" out of his name, spelling it Kongabel.

After marriage they went to Delmont, South Dakota, and settled on a Tree Claim farm, where they built a house and set out trees to pay U.S. government for title to this land. Staying there 4 years, they sold it and moved near Majors, Buffalo County, Nebraska, on a farm. They now had 2 children, your grandmother, Lena May, born 10/19/1884, and George Frederick, born 6/16/1886, near Delmont South Dakota.

They lived in Nebraska 12 years, where following children were born: Edna Blanch, 3/2/1889; Winnie Pearl, 11/13/1891; Nellie M., 12/15/1893; Howard Spalding; 4/4/1897; Monnie Ruth, 3/30/1899. They then moved near Olathe, KS, for 1 year, where son, William Crocker, was born 12/19/1901. Next year leaved near Ottawa, KS, for 1 year. Then moved to a farm near Guthrie, OK, in 1903. On 5/25/1905, Harold J. was born.

When family moved from Nebraska to Kansas, the mother and children, except two, came on passenger train, the father and 2 girls, Edna and Winnie, came in freight car with their furniture and horses and cattle.

It was here your grandmother, Lena May Kongable, lived with her parents and attended Logan County High School."

Henrietta lived at farm home near Guthrie until 1919 when she moved to Guthrie city. At the time of her death at age 86 she was living with her daughter, Lena May, at 801 E. Vilas.

Henrietta CROCKER was married to William Frederick (Will) KONGABEL (son of George Friedrich KORNGIEBEL and Maria Elisabetha (Mary) SCHRECKENGAST) on 13 Sep 1883 in Morning Sun, Louisa Co, IA. William Frederick (Will) KONGABEL was born on 28 Dec 1855 in Landisburg Reformed Charge, New Bloomfield, Perry Co, PA. Birth/Baptismal Certificate


RECORD OF BIRTH & BAPTISM TO THESE TWO PARENTS: As George Korngabel and his wife M. Elizabeth a daughter of Schreckengast was born a son on the 28th day of December in the year of our Lord 1855.

This child was born in Spring township in Perry County in the State of Pennsylvania in North America; was baptized by the Reverend C. Linebauch and received the name of William.

The Rev. Charles H. Leinbach served the Landisburg Reformed Charge from 1842 to 1859. He was christened on 28 Dec 1855 in Landisburg Reformed Charge, New Bloomfield, Perry Co, PA. Record of Birth & Baptism

TO THOSE TWO PARENTS:

As Georg Korngabel and his Wife Elizabeth a daughter of Schreckengast was born a Son on the 28th day of December in the year of our Lord l1855.

This child was born in Spring Township in Perry county, in the State of Pennsylvania in North America; was baptizedby the Rev'd. Linebauch and receive the name William.

WITNESSES: (blank) He was buried in 1908 in Summit View Cemetery, Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. He died on 8 Jul 1908 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK.

Lena May Kongabel Benson wrote her grandchildren:

Your great, great, grandparents, George and Elizabeth Korngabel, came from Germany, settled in New Bloomfield, Perry County, Pennsylvania, where their son, William Frederick Korngabel, your great grandfather, was born December 28, 1855. He was a farmer and blacksmith. While young he decided to come 'out west' to Ohio, then to Morning Sun, Iowa.

He worked at his blacksmith trade and there met twin sisters, Henrietta and Annetta Crocker, who were born October 27, 1862, at Newburyport, Massachusetts.

Died at his farm in Guthrie OK on 7/8/1905 of Typhoid Fever.

When William Frederick Kongabel and Henrietta Crocker were married, they belonged to a United Presbyterian Church and all through the years when they moved from place to place, he always moved where there was a U. P. Church. Many of his children and grandchildren are faithful members of this church at present time.

William Frederick Kongable always went to church with his family, even when we only had wagon or buggy, in hot or cold weather. I (Lena May) remember one time we went 10 miles across Platte River in Nebraska - this river was a mile wide, frozen over with ice, and temperature 48 degrees below zero. The team we drove was put in Livery stable and fed while we were at church.

Henriette CROCKER and William Frederick (Will) KONGABEL had the following children:
 


THIRD GENERATION

12. Clark Wilkens CROCKER was born on 12 Sep 1893 in Kingsburg, Fresno, CA. He was buried in 1975 in Summit View Cemetery, Berkeley, Alameda Co, CA. He died on 4 Nov 1975 in Albany, Alameda Co, CA. He served in the military World War I in U. S. Army Air Corps. He was a Civil Engineer. He was a Civil Engineer. He was educated B. S. in Stanford University.

He was married to Zoe Connaroe VANDERBURGH (daughter of John Jay VANDERBURGH and Isabelle BOWEN) on 1 Jul 1918 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles Co, CA. Zoe Connaroe VANDERBURGH was buried in 1963 in Summit View Cemetery, Berkeley, Alameda Co, CA. She died on 7 Oct 1963 in Albany, Alameda Co, CA. She was buried in El Cerrito, Riverside Co, CA. Clark Wilkens CROCKER and Zoe Connaroe VANDERBURGH had the following children:
 

13. Percy Summers CROCKER was born on 29 Apr 1895 in Kingsburg, Fresno, CA. He was elected as captain of the Selma High School basketball team in 1913 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA. He was authored the Second Prize Story his senior year in 1913 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA.:

The Black and the Tenderfoot A Short Story by Percy Crocker

It was a blistering hot day and we were greatly relieved when we congregated under the large willows again. The last of the beef cattle had been cut out and drive to the lower pasture. Two more days would be occupied in driving the herd to the stockyard and then we were partially free to do as we pleased. Occasionally we would be called out to drive part of a stray herd back to the range.

This evening we were planning some excitement for the vacation days. There would be a revolver contest between our ranch, the "Horseshoe," and our hated rival, "the Double G," and then a riding contest between our ranch and the original "22." In two weeks these contests between our rivals would be creating some excitement, for by that time both ranches would be in the pink of conditionoio just after the spring round-up and just back from the rodeo.

We all knew that there would be minor excitement in the meantime and that before longn; for Curly exclaimed, "I suppose another tenderfoot from New York." We had not been paying much attention, but when we turned we saw a young man unloading from a near-by wagon, trunks, and suit cases galore; a saddle, chaps, guns, hats and a hundred other thinnggs, too numerous to mention. By this time the boss had come from tthe house and was directing him to the bunk youse. A little later he came out attired in one of his new costumes, and I mustt say he looked quite striking in his regalia. For he was probably six feet in height, broad of shoulder, with a very handsome face. He seemed very different from the other tenderfeet with whom we had made acquaintance.

We were soon introduced to our friend from New York, as we thought, but he proved to be the nephew of a large ranch owner in Idaho, Clifton Stillmen. He had come here to learn something of the west. He told us that he was from Omaha and had learned something from his uncle about this life, and had come to verify the facts given him.

Several of the boys spoke up, "This is the place to learn." A few seconds later I turned to the boys, and I could plainly see that something was on their minds. I had an idea what it was, as I had seen them in this mood before, especially when one of the so-called tenderfeet came to relieve the strain of a monotonous life.

Just then the supper bell range and we made our way to the cook house. It was the most quiet table I had sat down to for a long time, but I knew that after supper I would learn what their different opinions were. But it was not until "Clif" had retired that we ventured outside to confide in one another. Sure enough, just as I thought, our friend from Omaha was gonig to ride the little sorrel iin the morning. But before retiring, Shorty, one of our companions and I were selected to bring the sorrel from the range, and then we all went in and slipped into our blankets.

The next morning at exactly four o'clock Shorty gave me a punch in the ribs and hardly awake, I found myself out of bed, crawling into a pair of damp overalls. An yhour later we were returning to the corral with the source of our amusement in our possessin. When we came in sight of the ranch house all the boys were congregated at the corral with our bronco buster in their midst. He had been informe dof the part he was to play, and he seemed exceedingly willing to mount this dreaded horse.

The "one-eyed sorrel," as he was called by all those who had the idea they could ride him, was one of the most feared "bronchos`' in the country. He never as yet was known to carry a rider for more than fifteen minutes, and by that time they were generally read to get off. So for the last six months he had been turned loose waiting just such an opportunity as the one this morning.

By this time the saddle was cinched on, the blind-folds placed firmly over his eyes, and the "puncher" ready to mount his saddle. It was only a few second more before Cliff was sitting astride the very nervous animal, waiting for the blinds to be raised. It was unneeded, however, for with one violent snort he was off, the blinds dropping to the ground several feet away.

It is not necessary to tell that the horse was not going to spoil his reputation. So when the man of the hour was picked up and carried into the house, he was found to have several cracked ribs, and a broken shoulder, altogether he was in a pretty bad shape. This was the result of the morning's fun.

One spring day several years later we had a similar experience. An Englishman, awe judged from his appearance, was seen riding in one night mounted on a flea-bitten gray. He wore a knocked down silk hat, and long riding boots, pulled up over a pair of dirty khaki pants. On approaching us, he asked for a place to spend the night. We took him to the corral where his cayuse was unsaddled and fed. As it was about supper time, he went with us to the cook house. While we were eating he told us his experience as a horse breaker. He said he had ridden all kinds of horses and as yet found none that could dismount him. He had ridden for the Crown while in England and since coming to this country he had broken fancy riding horses for some of the most influential people of the East.

We took this all in and judging from the stillness of the room, the boys were gooing over it in detail. They were probably trying to judge whether he was a windjammer or an all round horseman, as he claimed to be.

Not a work had been spoken when Shorty, who had been selected spokesman, said, "We have a fine black colt here, and we want him broken right, no cruel treatment and all that." He did not let on that this was another of the numerous "outlaws" running the range.

"I am the man that can do it," the stranger said with a loud "guffaw." "I never saw one get away from me yet, and I have broken many."

Winks were exchanged slyly between us, and we told him that the horse would be ready at six in the morning, and if he had any idea of riding him, that he had better be turning in. "Sleep makes us brave you know," called Shorty as we hastened to our bunks.

When we got up the next morning and went to the corrals, we found the new comer inspecting his charge. He assured us that he would have no trouble in breaking his spirit, as he had ridden many wose than he looked to be.

After breakfast the saddles were gotten out, and each man saddled his own horse and hitched it to the corral. The horse that was ridden into camp the night before was tired up on the oppostie side of the corral, with one stirrup thrown over the pommel.

When the black was saddled he seemed to be the calmest of the bunch but when Shorty yelled to our new friend that all was ready, the broncho-buster was nowhere to be found. This was not long however, for soon appeared the Englishman from the shop door just as calm as the horse he was to ride. When he entered the corral all eyes were on him, but we did not pay much attentin to his appearance. "Lead the horse outside," he called and then took the bridle from the animal and tossed it in the corral. This left nothing but the halter and blinds. The next thing we saw was the man slipping calmly into the saddle. When his leg reached the other side, brought it forward to the horse's shoulder at the same time reaching forward and raising the blinds. The horse made one violent leap and at the same time the spurred foot cut a gash the full length of the beautiful shoulder. We were sorry now that we had not watched him more closely, as we had no idea he would mutilate a horse in this manner. While at the shop he must have wired the rowels of his spurs and filed them so they were nearly as sharp as a knife. The deep gash cut in his breast enraged the mad brute, and the next few minutes it looked as though he were turningn somersaults in the air. Meanwhile the rider was working both legs gracefully down its shoulders and from shoulder to flank and back again. The horse made every attempt to loose its rider. It would pitch high in the air, turn partially around, light on its knees, and then it would rise into the air, going backward and from side to side, but never affecting the rider, who seemed as if he were fastened to the horse's back with no control over himself but his feet, which were still plaing on the horse's shoulders and flanks.

The black seeing it was no use to continue bucking, started to run. Occasioinally it could be seen rising from the ground, but to no great height. The man did not discontinue to make use of his spurs for they seemed to be working just as rapidly now as before, and the horse was covered with sweat, discolored by dirt and blood. The man was soon lost from view over a little incline, but a littler later he was seen at the top of the ridge carrying the saddle with him. The horse had probably died from exertion and fear.

He did not say a word when he again reached the corral, but dropped the saddle on the ground, went over to his own horse, tightened the cinches, raised into the saddle and rode by us. A little distance off he turned in the saddle and said, "Remember Clifton Stillman as a tenderfoot? He now appears before you as the champion rider of the west." He served in the military in 1918 in WWI - France.

Letter to his mother, printed in the 1918 Selma HS "Magnet:"

Somewhere in France,

Dear Mother,

Weeks slip by and it hardly seems possible to me that I have not written for nearly two weeks.

It makes little difference, however, as there is nothing really to write only describing and telling of the peculiarities of the country and the people.

I suppose you might say we are enjoying what we know as real sunny France. I do not know how long it will last, but it really has been beautiful the last few days. We have here the same low hills, flat topped instead of rolling, but never-the-less if it remains this way as long as I am here, I shall be perfectly satisfied.

In this part of France everyone and everything live together. The people live with the cattle and the cattle with the people. It seems that we have been added to this large family, and to tell you the truth I am thoroughly enjoying it, althought it is not what it used to be.

Four of us fellows took a walk to a nearby city today and from what I have observed the French people are enjoying prosperity where the free-spending Americans are located.

I think this is the third letter I have written you, so when you get it, it will be marked three. I don't imagine you will get them in rotation.

I must close as darkness will not permit writing much longer.

Your loving son, Percy Crocker

PS Give my love and regards to everyone. He was a Mining Engineer. He was buried in Palmdale, Mojave Co, CA.

Percy CROCKER was married to Bertha Marion MCCREA on 27 Oct 1928 in Hammonton, Atlantic Co, NJ. Bertha Marion MCCREA was buried in Palmdale, Mojave Co, CA. Percy Summers CROCKER and Bertha Marion MCCREA had the following children:

        +    29.  i. Mary Anne CROCKER. +30 ii. Dorothy Elinor CROCKER.

14. Ernest Holmes CROCKER was born on 10 Nov 1896 in Kingsburg, Fresno, CA. He died on 2 Dec 1986 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA. He has Ancestral File number 1F1W-64L. He was buried in Parlier, Fresno Co, CA. He was a Fire truck engineer in Selma, Fresno Co, CA. Trott Letters

[In a letter dated 12 Feb 1977, to Ernest, Robert Trott, 32 Curwin Terr, Lynn, Mass 01905, identified himself this way: "My uncle Fred Comerford has been dead for some time now. He past a way in Florida, a long time ago. My mother Ethel was Fred sister. She has been dead for over 11 years."]

[In his first letter to Ernest, dated 9 Aug 1953, Fred Comerford identified himself in this way: "You dad was here to see his sister, my mother, in Lynn about 45 years ago, came to see me in Winterhill, Mass. and stayed with me until he returned back to Calif.]

A letter from Robert E. Trott, 11 Evelyn St, E. Lynn, Mass, postmarked 24 Sep 1949, to Ernest Holmes Crocker, on stationery with the logo of The United States Ship Wisconsin:

Dear Ernest, I received your letter and pictures and was glad to have them.

It has been a mo. since I received your letter but this is the first time I had a chance to write. You see my wife does all the writing since I am not so good at it and as I said before this is my first time I had a chance to answer your letter.

I was reading a book on Cape Cod and I can (sic) across the name of Crocker. It seem (sic) there is a family of Crockers down there & I was wondering if you ever recall hearing anything about them. There is a park in Marblehead called Crocker's Park & I was told by my mother there is know (sic) connnection as far as she know. All she remember is that John Crocker was her Grandfather, and he was raised by an Indian squaw in St. John's, in Canada. It was your grandfather to. Your Grandmother was a Holmes & she came from N.S., but as I can get it the Holmes came over on the Mayflower from England when it made the second trip. Then they scattered all over, so that is the story as far as I know it. But I am writing to Washington for further information & when I receive the results, I will send them on to you.

Your remember me telling my story about your cousin Charles passing away in Pittsfield, Mass. around May or April. Well his daughter (a cousin) Evelyn past away around August 28 & her mother past away the third of Septem (sic). So the only two left out of that way is Herbert and Maybelle (a cousin).. I was thinking what happened to the twins (your fathers sisters). They was put out for adoption so their names were changed.

How is California to live in? I am going to school in Boston under G. I. Bill and I was thinking of brining my family out there to live. Is it true what they say about stopping you before you can cross the border to find out how long you are gonig to stay and thing like that?

Well that is all for now, hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely yours, Your Cousin Bob =======================


14. Ernest HOLMES CROCKER was married to Gladys Lenora SAY (daughter of SAY) on 21 Oct 1921 in Oakland, Alameda Co, CA. Performing the ceremony was the Rev. Charles F. Clarke. Witnesses: G. D. G. Say and J. B. Crocker. Gladys Lenora SAY was born on 12 Dec 1893 in Parlier, Fresno Co, CA. She died on 5 Dec 1992 in Selma, Fresno Co, CA. She was buried in Selma, Fresno Co, CA.

Ernest Holmes CROCKER and Gladys Lenora SAY had the following children:

        +    31     i. Reyburn Floyd CROCKER.

16. Allie WYCKOFF. She was married to LeRoy ADAMS Dr.. LeRoy ADAMS Dr. was a Dentist.

18. Lena May KONGABLE was born on 19 Aug 1884 near Delmont, Douglas Co, SD. She was buried in 1973 in Summit View Cemetery, Benson-Pinnick Plot, Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. She died on 23 Nov 1973 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK.

It was here (Guthrie, OK) your grandmother, Lena May Kongable, lived with her parents and attended Logan County High School and worked in a boarding house until she was married January 16, 1907, to Voliny Oliny Benson of Guthrie, OK. Her mother always said she was a "Yankee".

Lena May's father died July 8, 1908 at age of 53 years at farm home near Guthrie, with Typhoid Fever. Her mother continued to live on the farm until 1919, when she moved to the City of Guthrie.

My father, William Frederick Kongable, and my mother, Miss Henrietta Crocker, were married Sept,. 1883 at Morning Sun, Iowa, and went to live on a tree claim near Delmont, So. Dakota, 60 miles from Yankton, SD. There I was born on Aug 19, 1884 and lived until I was three years old when we, Father, Mother, and little brother George Frederick, moved to a farm near Majors, Nebraska.

[The year 1880 heralded a new decade - one that was to be the greatest settlement era for the great plains. Weather was almost perfect for crops, the railroads promised secure futures for many towns, and population boomed in both urban and rural areas. Cities began improving their environs and rural settlement spread through the state (of Nebraska), including the previously unsettled portions in the west and central areas. - Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey of Buffalo County, 8/1/1993, p. 7-8.]

[The 1880 Federal census indicated that the largest number of foreign born persons in Buffalo County were German, accounting for just over five percent of the total population. Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey of Buffalo County, 8/1/1993, p. 25.]

There we attended the United Presbyterian Church in country not far from Majors, a country Post Office, four miles from our home. [All that remains of Majors, NE, is a cemetery in the midst of farm fields.]

[The Department of History of the Presbyterian Church (USA) confirms that there was a United Presbyterian Church of North America in Majors, NE, organized in 1882 and dissolved in 1922. There are no records of this congregation on deposit with the Dept of History.]

I started to country school when seven years old. The next summer our school teacher got married and three other girls and I were flower girls at her church wedding but one of girls did not get there in time so we did not get to strew the flowers down the aisle, we were so disappointed as we all had new dresses.

I joined the United Presbyterian Church when eleven years old, always had big Christmas tree with gifts and program at church. At one of these programs I was to speak a piece but got scared and went crying to my seat, so did not get to say my piece.

I learned to milk when six years old and always helped with chores, herded the cows on our favorite white horse named "Bird." This same horse brother George and I would hitch to a two-wheel cart and drive to Post Office after school for our mail, sometimes it would be dark before we got back but "Bird" would go straight home and stop when she came to gate on farm to be opened. In winter when there was snow Geo. and I would ride "Bird" to school, a mile away, turn her loose and she would go home.

[The year 1890 may have been a harbinger of things to come. The state (of Nebraska) averaged only 17 inches of rain for the year, with even lower amounts in 1893 and 1894. The drought was accomanied by general economic decline and a national panic in 1893. During this period thousands of people - both farm and city dwellers - left the state. By 1896 normal rainfull returned and economic recovery began. - Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey of Buffalo County, 8/1/1993, p. 8.]

When I was 13 years old and Geo was 11 we stayed out of school one fall and helped our father husk corn sometimes in snow.

Next we moved to Kearny, Nebr. and started to 8th grade in Kearney but took measles and chicken pox so did not go to school any more that term. It was a very cold winter. One morning we went to church in town it was 48 degrees below zero. Went in an open buggy. Put the team of horses in a Livery stable while we were in church. That winter I learned both questions and answers to Shorter Catechism and earned a Bible for repeating them to our Pastor, Rev. Niblock.

[The Department of History of the Presbyterian Church (USA) confirms that there was a United Presbyterian Church of North America in Kearny, NE, organized in 1888 and dissolved in 1905. There are no records of this congregation on deposit with the Dept of History.]

Next we moved south across the mile wide Platte River near old Fort Kearney on a farm, where we planted ten acres of potatoes, which we picked up by hand. Edna, Winnie, Nellie, Howard names of younger sisters and brother and on Decoration Day sister Monnie Ruth was born. Next year we moved to a ranch farm east along Platte River, was ten miles to our church in town but we always went. How well I remember those cold rides in winter when Platte River was frozen over, a mile wide. Next year we moved to a farm near Olathe, Kansas, and raised cattle. I did not go to school that year. Brother Willie was born there.

Next year we moved to a ranch farm near Princeton, Kansas. That summer I helped with farm work, mowed hay, etc. In Sept. I started to school 8th grade, now 18 years old, at Richmond, Kansas, staying with a family a mile from town, working for my board & room. Because of my age and knowledge I was promoted to Freshman High School Class. While at Hendersons in country , I had my first date with Joe Wilson to a church social. He was much older than I. After a month I moved to town to stay with a Kelsey family. Lived with two other families while there in school that year. In school my boy friend's name was Harry Gault.

My family moved to Guthrie, Okla, February 1, 1903, but I stayed to finish school year in May., then came to Guthrie on train.

The next day after arriving home 3 miles north of Guthrie there was a tornado came down Cimarron River, from southwest. Of course, I wished I was back in Kansas. This was our first experience with a wind storm.

Our United Presbyterian Church had just been organized here. Rev. J. C. Rankin, Pastor. There I met the Knox family. Their daughter Eva became my girl chum, almost twins, as our birthdays were only nine days apart and we had many happy times together until she married and moved to Kansas. Then we corresponded regularly until she passed away.

In Sept 1903 I started to Logan Co. High School, held in old Central School and basement of Christian Church. Walked from home, awhile, then went to Arthur Whitney home on N. Division to stay and work for board & room. Whitneys lived at 4 N. Division. Miss Etta Hikes, Latin Teacher.

Soon after this my father bought 80 acres 1 mile east and built a new 2 story house where my brother Harold was born May 25, 1905.(This house is across the road from H. E. Birch's house, now occupied by the Whittingtons.) That year I started working at Jenkins Boarding House, 311 N. Broad. Mr. Wm. Jenkins was Ex Governor of Oklahoma, their children, Will, Mary, Hugh, Ray & Jessie were there when not in school. I was there almost two years.

At church at Christmas program 1905 I met Voliny Oliny Benson. After I came to Okla my friend Harry Gault of Richmond, Kansas, had come down to see me several times, but since my father did not like him very much, I returned his gifts and started going with Vol in Spring and were married at home on farm Jan. 16, 1907, and started our home at 418 S. Pine, next door to his Mother and Grandmother. Vol was working for Williamson, Halsell,, Frazier, Wholesale Grocery as Stenographer for $55.00 a month. When I worked at Boarding House my wages were $20.00 a month. We attended our United Presbyterian Church in buggy with his mother, brother Earl, and Grandma Pinnick.

On May 1, 1908, our first son was born at home, Clyde Voliny Benson, Then Robert Pinnick in June 18, 1909; Vern Kongable, Feb. 13, 1911; Cecil Oliny, Nov. 27, 1912; Lena Irene, Marl 15, 1915; Monnie Etta, Oct 19, 1920.

When Robert was six years old had started to school when he took Scarlet Fever. Vol and other children moved in with Grandma Benson while I cared for Robert. In November Vern took Scarlet Fever, altho we had Fumigated and cleaned house. Irene was a baby. With a nurse's help I took care of Vern until I took this fever early in Dec. A nurse took care of Vern & I. The rest of family lived with Grandma Benson for more than a month. Those days of our illness will never be forgotten, boys recovered but it was months before I was able to take care of my family. This disease left me with leakage of valves of my heart. Robert also had this same trouble. All our children except Ellen Louise were born at 418 S. Pine, in our home.

On Feb 1, 1921, we sold this home and moved to a new home at 811 E. Vilas, where Ellen Louise was born Jan 1, 1923.

All our seven children attended Capitol Hill School (across the street from 811 E. Vilas) and G. High School where all graduated except Robert.

[The boys lived in a room above the garage at 811 E. Vilas - no heat, no plumbing - and the girls slept in the second bedroom in the house.]

18. Lena May KONGABEL was married to Voliny Oliny BENSON (son of John Lewis BENSON and Malinda Frances PINNICK) on 16 Jan 1907 in Guthrie, Logan Cty, OK, in her parents home. Voliny Oliny BENSON was born on 9 Nov 1881 in Fowler, Meade Co, KS. He was buried in 1950 in Summit View Cemetery, Benson-Pinnick Plot, Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. He died on 24 Dec 1950 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK, in the bedroom of his home at 811 E. Vilas.

"With his parents, John L. Benson and Malinda Francis Pinnick Benson, Voliny Oliny Benson came to Guthrie OK in September 1889, where they settled on a farm Southeast of Guthrie. He received his early education at Prairie Grove School and later attended Guthrie Business College. In 1903 he went to work in office of Williamson, Halsell, Frasier, Wholesale Grocery Co. in Guthrie. He worked there in office and as salesman until they sold out, January 7, 1933, when he went to work for Scrivner-Stevens Co., in Oklahoma City. He was a salesman for them until he retired in 1949. He was a member of Congregational Church of Vittim Community until he joined the United Presbyterian Church in Guthrie in 1905. Benson is a Swedish name. He died 12/24/1950 in his bedroom of a coronary infarction, which Dr. Ringrose, the family doctor, diagnosed as "acid indigestion."

Grandson Ned Benson remembers clearly the night he died. The whole family was gathered in the living room at 811 E. Vilas. Karl and I were put to sleep in the other bedroom. Uncle Cecil Benson smoked a cigar in Grandpa's and Grandma's house, the only time tobacco was ever used inside that house. I sobbed and cried when Mom came in and told us Grandpa was dead.

Lena May KONGABLE and Voliny Oliny BENSON had the following children:
 

19. George Frederick KONGABLE was born on 16 Jun 1886 near Delmont, Douglas Co, SD. He died in 1982 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co, OK. Had extra fingers & toes

He was married to Minnie Handscome CHAPMAN on 20 Apr 1908 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. Minnie Handscome CHAPMAN was born on 17 Oct 1884 in Hawkeye, Fayette Co, IA. She died on 19 Oct 1962 in Park Ridge, Cook Co, IL. George Frederick KONGABLE and Minnie Handscome CHAPMAN had the following children:

He was married to Sarah Edna DENTON on 3 Jul 1965 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co, OK. Sarah Edna DENTON was born on 26 Jun 1893 in Duke, Jackson Co, OK.

20. Edna Blanche KONGABLE was born on 2 Mar 1889 in Majors, Buffalo Co, NE. She died in 1954. "Had extra fingers"

She was married to Wilbur J. GLASE on 22 Nov 1909. She was divorced from Wilbur J. GLASE on 17 Nov 1913. Wilbur J. GLASE was born on 2 Nov 1879 in Iowa. He died on 26 Jun 1954. Edna Blanche KONGABLE and Wilbur J. GLASE had the following children:

She was married to Dan Emmanuel BENNETT on 24 May 1914 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. Dan Emmanuel BENNETT was born on 25 Mar 1867 in Salem, Washington Co, IN. He died on 21 Apr 1952 in Edmond, Oklahoma Co, OK. Edna Blanche KONGABLE and Dan Emmanuel BENNETT had the following children:

21. Winnie Pearl KONGABLE was born on 13 Nov 1891 in Majors, Buffalo Co, NE. She died in 1981. "Had tiny pea-sized finger with tiny nail, on one of her little finers. Was removed when a baby."

She was married to Leonard Lancaster BARNES on 15 Jul 1913 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. Leonard Lancaster BARNES was born on 24 Aug 1891 in Armourdale, KS. Winnie Pearl KONGABLE and Leonard Lancaster BARNES had the following children:

22. Nellie M. KONGABLE was born on 15 Dec 1893 in Buffalo Co, NE. She died on 26 Aug 1993 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. "Had both extra fingers and toes, were taken off."

Harry Earl (H.E. or "Hal") BIRCH was born on 28 Feb 1889 in Earlton, Neosho Co, KS. He died in 1972 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. Nellie M. KONGABLE and Harry Earl (H.E. or "Hal") BIRCH had the following children:
 

24. Monnie Ruth KONGABLE was born on 30 May 1899 in Buffalo Co, NE. She died on 17 Dec 1960 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co, OK. Adopted Stella Edna White Eagle, her niece, daughter of Venna May Kongable White Eagle

She was married to Melvin W. WESTMORELAND on 8 Nov 1940 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co, OK. She was divorced from Melvin W. WESTMORELAND on 28 Mar 1944. Maiden name restored on divorce Monnie Ruth KONGABLE and Melvin W. WESTMORELAND had the following children:
 

25. William Crocker (Bill) KONGABLE was born on 19 Dec 1901 in Near Olathe, Johnson Co, KS. He was buried in 1994 in Summit View Cemetery, Kongabel plot, Guthrie, Logan Co, OK. He died on 24 Feb 1994. "6 fingers, 5 toes"

He was married to Ruth Elizabeth BARNETT (daughter of John W. BARNETT and Minnie) on 25 Jun 1924 in Cleveland, Pawnee Co, OK. Ruth Elizabeth BARNETT was born on 23 Jun 1905 in Fairfield, OK. She died on 28 Nov 1996 in Webster, Harris Co, TX. Ruth Barnett Kongable

Ruth Barnett Kongable passed away Nov. 28, 1996 at Manor Care Nursing Home, Webster, Texas at the age of 91 after a lingering bout with Alzheimers. Ruth was born in Fairfield, Oklahoma on June 23, 1905 to John W. and Minnie Barnett.. She grew up in Westville, Oklahoma and in Hominy, Oklahoma. She attended Hominy High School where she was the center on the Championship Girls Basketball Team the year of her graduation, 1925. In 1925, Ruth married William C. "Bill" Kongable. They lived in Hominy until 1945 when they moved to the Panama Canal Zone where Bill worked for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. On Bill's retirement in 1964, they moved to Pasadena, Texas.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband, Bill, in 1994, and is survived by son, John W. "Bill" Kongable & wife, Phyllis, of Dickinson, Texas; son, Ross Kongable & wife, Beatrice, of Arroyo Grande, California; four grandchildren: Richard Kongable of Austin, Texas, Patricia Ramsey of Friendswood, Texas, Felicia Kongable of Austin, Texas, and Diana Schmidt of Fallbrook, California; also by three great-grandchildren, Lauren Ramsey & Kimberley Ramsey of Friendswood, Texas and Natalie Schmidt of Fallbrook, California.

A memorial service will be held on December 4, 1996 at the First Christian Church, Pasadena, Texas at 2 pm. Interment will be in the Summit View Cemetery in Guthrie, Oklahoma. She was buried in Summit View Cemetery, Kongabel plot, Guthrie, Logan Co, OK.

William Crocker (Bill) KONGABLE and Ruth Elizabeth BARNETT had the following children:

            +    61 i. John William (Bill) KONGABLE. +62 ii. Ross Barnett KONGABLE.

26. Harold J. KONGABEL was born on 25 May 1905 in Guthrie, Logan Co, OK.

He was married to Mae Mildred HOPKINS on 19 Jun 1928 in Stillwater, Payne Co, OK. Mae Mildred HOPKINS was born on 26 Feb 1905. Harold J. KONGABEL and Mae Mildred HOPKINS had the following children:

            +    63 i. Harold Frederick (Fred) KONGABEL. +64 ii. Carolyn Ruth KONGABEL.