Monday, November 27, 2023

Forget Me Not: Baxter Edwin Brumfield, 1963

An obituary for one of our country's veterans is always special. We owe much to each and every veteran. 

Baxter Edwin Brumfield 

13 June 1912 – 18 March 1963 

Son of John Edward Brumfield & Ada Beatrice Fortenberry

 

World War II Veteran




My first cousin, 2x removed

 

 

Funeral Held for Baxter Brumfield

 

Funeral services conducted for Baxter Brumfield, age 50 years, from the Ginn Funeral Home Chapel in Tylertown Wednesday afternoon. Interment followed in the Silver Springs Cemetery. Rev. W. M. Bowman officiated at the religious services.

 

Brumfield, who was a service station operator in Franklinton, and a former resident of Walthall County, Mississippi, died Monday night.

 

Brumfield’s parents were John E. Brumfield and Ada Fortenberry Brumfield. He was a World War II veteran.

 

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Johnnie Lee Guess, New Orleans; 

three sisters, 

Mrs. Ollie Holmes, Tylertown [Fannie Charlotte Brumfield]

Mrs. Elmo Fortenberry, Clarkston, Ga. [Claudia Martha Brumfield]

and Mrs. John Pittman, New Orleans [Olgee Shelina Brumfield]

 

four brothers, Albert Brumfield and John Brumfield, McComb, Miss.; Selwin Brumfield, Magnolia and Windell Brumfield, Tylertown, and one grandchild.

 

Pallbearers were Tylertown American Legionnaires: John W. Wood, Cecil Conerly, Billy Beard, Willie J. Guy, Andrew Jones and Russell Slater.

 

Ginn Funeral Directors of Tylertown was in charge of arrangements.


 

 

The Era Leader

Franklinton, LA, 21 Mar 1963, page 1

Newspapers.com





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Thanksgiving

 Over the years, our Thanksgiving celebrations have changed. Our family has grown and spread across the country. My brothers celebrate with their children & grandchildren. Our children live in various states. This year, in Illinois, we will walk the Turkey Trot and help our daughter prepare a delicious meal. We will gather around the table with our daughter and friends to count our blessings and share some laughs.  I will enjoy the day and remember Thanksgivings from days gone by. 




Thanksgiving is spatulas & spices & the family china;

Tables pushed together, folding chairs & mismatched glassware.
Thanksgiving is answering the ringing doorbell; 
Children chasing and hiding;
Hugs & surprises; Jokes & smiles.

Thanksgiving is aprons & appetizers & the family recipes;
Multicolored paper turkeys, crayoned pilgrims & pinecone centerpieces.
Thanksgiving is squeezing around the table;
Passing the mashed potatoes;
Candles & napkins; Gravy & cranberries.

Thanksgiving is cameras & cousins & the family traditions;
Posing in front of the fireplace, smiling on cue & laughter all around.
Thanksgiving is playing favorite board games;
Telling tall tales of holidays past;
Uncles & babies; Memories & plans.

Thanksgiving is Family.



Colleen G. (Brown) Pasquale


Happy Thanksgiving!


Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Forget Me Not: Clifford Peter Morrison, 1968 OH

Note: I have seen this name as both Peter Clifford & Clifford Peter. I am uncertain which is correct.

 


Clifford Peter Morrison


8 November 1902 MI – 27 March 1968 OH

Son of Seth Benner Morrison & Margaret Jane Gruissy

Husband of Amanda Werth




Brothers: Paul, Albert & Clifford Morrison


 

Clifford P. Morrison

 

Barberton – Clifford P. Morrison, 65, of 1898 Caroline st., a machinist in the Akron area 40 years, died suddenly Saturday in Barberton Citizens Hospital.

 

He was born in Ithaca, Mich. At the time of his death he was employed at American Verified Products, Co. in Akron. He was a Jehovah’s Witness. 

 

He leaves wife, Amanda; sons Wilbur of Copley, and Robert, Donald and Richard, all of Barberton; daughters Mrs. Ernest Sarka, Columbus, and Mrs. John Mason both of Barberton; brother, Albert, Creston, O.; sisters Mrs. Pauline Maurer, Akron, and Mrs. Mona Hurd, Iona, Mich., and 21 grandchildren.

 

Services will be at 2:30 p. m. Tuesday in the Myers funeral home. Burial will be in Greenlawn cemetery.

 

Friends may call at the funeral home after 7 tonight and Monday afternoon and evening.

 

 

The Akron Beacon Journal

Akron, OH, 24 Mar 1968, page 60

Newspapers.com

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

Wednesday, November 8, 2023

Salute to our Soldiers

My uncle has been honored in the City of Hudson, Columbia County, NY.  You may have seen flags like this in the places. He is a 'Hometown Hero". I am very proud of my uncle and the many other soldiers in our family. 



20 Sept. 1930 OH - 26 Oct 2017 NY
US Air Force 
My Uncle 

Leo was in the Air Force from December 1950 to December 1954. On 28 December 1950 the Times – Union newspaper in Albany, New York reported that “the largest number of volunteers to be processed by the U. S. Army and U. S. Air Force recruiting station since World War II will ship out of Albany to service camps and stations throughout the nation.”  The long list of men, including “Leo D. Brown, Stockport,” left Albany that day. A very dark photograph accompanied the newspaper article which showed the men standing in front of the Albany Federal Building.[i]


Cover of photo album


A small photo album has this brief history about the group Leo served with on Okinawa:

 

The 430th, well known throughout the Orient as ‘Far East’s Finest’, was activated on 8 March 1949, and was designated at that time the 1311th Military Police Company (Aviation).  Since the date of activation, men of the 430th have contributed greatly to the growth and development of Kadena Air Base, and to the growth and influx of American Culture on Okinawa. The Air Police have one of the most important missions in the Air Force. The prevention of crime, guard duty, recovering lost and stolen property, regulation of traffic, enforcement of laws and regulations are among the requirements and capabilities of this unit. Supporting combat aircraft based on Okinawa, the 430th is responsible for guarding this striking force. The men who walk their posts, night after night, present a significant contribution to the Korean operation. The Air Policeman is often subjected to the elements of nature. The operations of this organization accelerate during the tropical typhoon season when the preservation of life and property is of primary concern.  Responsibilities are great, and require the utmost in intelligence and physical stamina. The excellent performance of the mission, the morale and military bearing has promoted only in the highest in esteem for the men of the 430th Air Police Squadron.  The 430th truly ‘sets the pace’ on Kadena.

 

 

Leo D. Brown (man in center, sitting in jeep)



[i] Sixty Enlistees Ready, Leave Albany Today (Albany, NY: Times – Union 28 Dec 1950); digital image, fultonhistory.com: accessed Aug 2022. 



         Leo's brothers, Larry L. Brown & Robert A. Brown also served in the armed forces. 


Thursday, November 2, 2023

Reunion! 1912 Ritter Family Reunion, 1912


This newspaper article gives details of the Ritters’ gathering and the history of the family. It tells us Ritter means “knight.” It talks about the original settlers. However, today’s research tells us these were the children of the original Ritters who came from Germany. They are the second generation to live in Pennsylvania. My notes [ ] reflect recent research.





Ritters Gather in Reunion at Dorney’s

Members Urged to Revive Monster Reunions

 

 

The Ritter family reunion was held at Dorney Park yesterday after a lapse of a year. This was one of the early reunions having been started in 1898. There were quite a number of Ritters there and president, I. J. Ritter urged all to again swell the number from 200 to over 5,000 which was the high water mark. Instrumental music was furnished by George’s orchestra and a male quartet sang. The hymn “God We Bless Thee, That We Meet Again” was sung after which Rev. H. B. Ritter, of Hellertown, offered prayer. 

 

The president then made the address of welcome and said he was especially pleased to see the young people take an interest in the program and reunion. The male quartet sang “Annie Laurie” and responded to the encore.

 

Miss Edith Yates a young girl, gave a delightful recital on “House Cleaning Time”. After a selection by the orchestra Rev. H. B. Ritter made an address. He spoke of the origin of the word Ritter, meaning a knight. The name is supposed to have originated when the Knights made their pilgrimages to the holy land. One of their principles was to defend womankind. He pleaded that this principle be maintained now even if it meant woman’s sufferage [sic] and he condemned Mormonism as a blot on this fair country. 

 

The male quartet then sang several fine selections and Miss Ada Sheirer very ably gave several recitations showing that she is quite an elocutionist.

 

The election of officers resulted as follows:

President, I. R. Ritter, Allentown;

Vice president, John E. Ritter, Pittston;

Recording secretary, P. S. Ritter, Allentown; [possibly Parson Scott Ritter, 1862 – 1932]

Corresponding secretary, Irwin Ritter, Balliesville;

Financial secretary, Samuel O. Ritter, Allentown;

Treasurer, Mrs. Edwin Diefenderfer, Catasauqua;

Historians: F. O. Ritter, B. F. Mohr, H. W. Stephens, Allentown, Wilson Ritter, Catasauqua; John E. Ritter, Pittston.

 

Executive committee:

Edwin H. Ritter, Egypt, Wilson Ritter, Catasauqua, Dr. E. E. Ritter, Friedensville, Mahlon Ritter, South Bethlehem; A. P. Yohe, Macungie.

 

C. H. Siegfried, of Easton, told how the Glewell family which holds its reunion at Shoeneck had complete records of nearly 2000 families and urged system.

The Ritters are descendants of Casper, who settled in North Whitehall, Martin in Salisbury and Philip in Shoenersville.

 

Casper Ritter landed at Philadelphia in 1750. He went to Easton and was granted a patent for 500 acres of land located on Fels creek at Laury’s. The farms are owned by Reuben Saeger, Prof. D. S. Keck and John and Jeremy Schneck. The log house which housed the family was razed several years ago. Six children grew to maturity:

Jacob, [Johan Jacob Ritter, b 1777]

Mrs. Johanes Frantz, 

John, [Johannes Ritter, 1768 – 1814]

Heinrich, [John Henry Ritter, 1780 – 1854]

Mrs. Nicholas Saeger [Magdalena Ritter, b 1772]

and Mrs. Heinrich Frantz. [Margaretta Ritter, 1774 – 1854]

[These are the children of Casper, 1749 – 1822, son of Heinrich Ritter, 1715 – 1797. He was the nephew of the Casper Ritter who arrived in Philadelphia from Germany.] The lonely graves of the pioneers are a short distance from the early home. Many of the descendants in this section are descendants of Casper.

 

Martin Ritter came to this country in 1749 and secured a tract of land in Salisbury township, south of Allentown. He was the father of seven children. 

Martin, [1781 – 1863]

Henry, [1779 – 1833]

John, [Johannes Ritter, 1784 – 1867]

Daniel, [1789 – 1873]

Michael, [1794 – after 1884]

Jacob [1792 – 1830]

and Gretchen Mrs. Solomon Kline. 

[This Martin, 1749 – 1827, was the son of Heinrich Ritter, 1781 – 1863. He was the nephew of Martin Ritter, 1718 – 1789, who was one of the original four Ritter brothers from Germany.]

 

Frances Ritter was the father of the Ritter family in Berks county. The former proprietor of the Reading Eagle; John Ritter was a representative in Congress for two terms.

 

The committee will meet in April to arrange for next year’s reunion.

 

 

The Morning Call, Allentown, PA

15 August 1912, pages 5 & 13

Newspapers.com




I am related to the Ritter family through my paternal grandmother, 
Ivy R. Mark Brown.



Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Wedding: Brumfield & Payne, 1 Nov. 1935 MS

This wedding announcement gives lots of details of the big day for the happy couple. I like the description of "white chrysanthemums, palms, ferns and trailing vines" that turned the church into a "bower of flowers." 

 

Fletcher Mead Brumfield

14 April 1912 MS – 30 July 2008

Son of Fletcher Boyd Brumfield & Mattie Hannah Brumfield

My 1st cousin, 2x removed 

 

&


Diane Gabrielle Payne

Daughter of Junius Hart Payne 




Married 1 November 1935

 

The Episcopal Church was the scene of a beautiful wedding when Miss Dione Gabrielle Payne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Junius Hart Payne of the Progress Community, became the bride of Mr. F. Meade Brumfield, also of the Progress Community, at 7 p. m. Friday evening, November 1st, with the Rev. John Beean [sic], rector, officiating.

 

The program of pre – nuptial music was played by Mrs. Jewett Moore and Mrs. Grant Wicklund sang the Episcopal marriage hymns.

 

The bridal couple stood before an altar, beautifully decorated for the occasion with stately white chrysanthemums, palms, ferns and trailing vines, converting the pretty church into a bower of flowers, lighted by cathedral tapers. 

 

The ushers, Junius Hart Payne, Jr., brother of the bride, and Fleet Dunaway entered the church first, followed by the maids, Misses Courtney Brumfield, sister of the groom, Janet Rowley of New Orleans, and Katherine Lobrano, beautifully gowned in blue taffeta costumes carrying old fashioned bouquets. Miss Courtney Brumfield acting as maid of honor. The bride, lively in her bridal robe of white satin made on princess lines, with train, and the bridal veil caught to her dark hair with orange blossoms, entered the church with her father, Mr. Junius Hart Payne, who gave her in marriage. They were met at the altar by the groom and his best man, Mr. Robert Lee.

 

Mr. and Mrs. Payne moved to the Progress Community from New Orleans two years ago, and the bride has many friends in that community as well as New Orleans.

 

The groom is a prosperous planter in the same community, the son of Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Brumfield and the happy couple will reside in a new home in the Progress community recently built. 

 

Following the ceremony a reception was held at the home of the bride’s parents near Progress.

 

The living room was decorated with a profusion of ferns and white blooms and lighted by soft candlelight. The table in cake was cut, was covered with a dining room, where the bride’s cloth of lace and the same color scheme was carried out in garlands of green and with green candelabra holding lighted tapers at either end of the table. [This section is confusing.]

 

Miss Elsa Lee drew the ring from the cake; Miss Catherine Lobrano, the button, and Miss Naomi Bridges the thimble.

 

Both of the bride’s grandmothers, Mrs. Frank T. Payne and Mrs. Louis Le Cogne were present and the other out – of -town guests for the wedding included Mr. and Mrs. George E. Rowley and Miss Maud L. Corgne of New Orleans. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Matthews of Lafayette and Mrs. O. A. Brumfield*, Mrs. W. D. Fortenberry and Miss Maggie Brumfield* of Walker’s Bridge. 

 

Enterprise – Journal

McComb, MS, 4 Nov 1935, page 4

Newspapers.com

 



 * I believe these people are: Mrs. Albert Oliver Brumfield & Miss Maggie Mae Brumfield, aunts of the groom.