Remembering Betty Jane Stradley Sullivan - Mom's best friend

Pat Kelly (Petersen) and Betty Stradley (Sullivan)
Greenwood, Nebraska High School
1941

Today I learned of the death of Betty Jane (Stradley) Sullivan - my Mom's friend since the time they were about seven or eight years old. Betty died on Wednesday, June 1, 2011. Betty would have been about 84 or 85.

Of course, I only knew Betty as a grown-up when I was a child. She had five children, the oldest, Susan, about a year younger than me. I wonder where Betty came up with that name?

Betty was funny, quick to laugh and enjoyed life. She was a hard worker. She waited tables for years. She worked at the American Legion Club in Lincoln, Nebraska and no matter who I went there with, we always asked to be seated in Betty's section. I know she was still working as recently as three to four years ago, as my Dad and I met up with her at another local restaurant.

Born Betty Jane Stradley, her family was also among the early families of Greenwood, Nebraska. She was the youngest daughter of Earl and Minnie Stradley and had an older brother, Telford, and a sister, Wilma. After World War II, Betty, Wilma and Mom - and their soon-to-be-husbands all hung out together.

Mom always said how Betty was basically the class clown. She told the story about their history lesson about the Flag and one of the questions asked by the teacher was "What flies over the school house?" and Betty said, "Pigeons!" That was so Betty.

Mom and her siblings had a pony named Ted and she said that Ted was usually the mode of transportation, with all three of them - Wilma, Betty and Mom - on Ted's back - getting around in Greenwood.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2011 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home is handling arrangements.


Betty - you were one of a kind - and one of my last links to my Mom. I hope the two of you are having a beer and some laughs together tonight.

Obituary

Betty Jane (Stradley) Sullivan, passed away June 1, 2011 at the Journey House/Tabitha, Lincoln. She was born to Earl and Minnie Stradley in Greenwood. Retired hostess/waitress in food service. Member of St. Joseph's Parrish. Long time Denton resident, last 18 years resided in Lincoln.

Survivors: daughters, Susan B. Medley, Flower Mound, Texas; Nancy M. Pool, Lincoln, Jane R. Sullivan, Irvine, Calif.; son, Robert B. Sullivan, Loveland, Colo.; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; special friend, Rich Cannon, Winona, Minn. Preceded in death by husband, Jerry E. (Butch) Sullivan and son, Brent M. Sullivan.

Rosary, 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2011, Butherus, Maser & Love Funeral Home, 4040 A St, Lincoln. Mass of Christian Burial: 10 a.m. Wednesday, June 8, 2011, St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 7900 Trendwood Dr., Lincoln. Visitation: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Butherus, Maser and Love Funeral Home. Memorials to: American Cancer Society, MADD, Journey House at Tabitha, and St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Condolences may be left at www.bmlfh.com

Sunday's Obituary - Bertie Burr Dawes

NEWARK, O., Feb. 8 - Mrs. Beman Gates Dawes, widow of the founder of the Pure Oil Co., died today in her home at the Dawes Arboretum six miles south of here. She was 86. She was a sister-in-law of Charles G. Dawes, vice president under Calvin Coolidge.

Mrs. Dawes devoted most of her later years to developing the 400-acre arboretum, which she and her husband founded "for the pleasure of the public and the education of youth."

A native of Lincoln, Neb., she was a friend of William Jennings Bryan, three-time Democratic presidential nominee, in her youth. Bryan's first law desk was in Mrs. Dawes' father's office.

When Mrs. Dawes was 19 she received the U.S. Treasury Life Saving Medal, one of the highest civilian awards for heroism. She had saved two girls caught in the Blue River near Crete, Neb.

She was one of four women who have received the medal.

Her husband was a U.S. congressman from Marietta in 1896.

Mrs. Dawes is survived by four of her five children, Beman Gates Dawes Jr., of Cincinnati, Carlos Burr Dawes of Columbus, E. Cutler Dawes of Newark, and Henry Dawes of Hartford, Conn.; 14 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio, February 9, 1958

The back story

Bertie Burr Dawes isn't exactly one of those relatives I would have gone looking for. We're really not even related at all. Through the magic behind the scenes at Ancestry.com, I see that she is the aunt of the wife of the husband of my first cousin, twice removed. She doesn't even qualify as shirt-tail kin. But I found her story and her family interesting.

Recently, I received a message from another Ancestry user who noticed we shared some of the same family members in Nebraska. My correspondent is new to genealogy and not sure of the direction to proceed. I said I would dig around a bit to see what I could come up with on her line.

Digging in to that family got me hooked. I will admit that Focus is not one of my best research qualities. That journalism blood continues to flow through my veins and I still tend to go after a good story line rather than remain focused on my direct lineage.

My research on Saturday afternoon took me in some fascinating directions that I never would have imagined. I was looking into the Burr family - barely related at all. One of the Burr women was the second wife of the man who had been married to one of my kin (he was a widower after his first wife committed suicide). I'd already gathered that these people traveled in the well-to-do social circles of Lincoln, Nebraska in the 1920s and before. A plethora of society page articles from newspapers describe their galas, parties, weddings and overseas travel.

I already had Bertie's father in my Ancestry tree: Carlos Calvin Burr. I did some searching on him and it didn't take long for me to learn that he had been the 12th Mayor of Lincoln, Nebraska between 1885 - 1887. Then I discovered that the man he beat in the election was John Fitzgerald, the brother-in-law of my great grandfather, Daniel Kelly. Only a few hundred votes separated the two candidates.

I discovered marriage and cemetery records on various members of the family by using the wonderful database of the Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society. Then I discovered many of the family members are buried at Wyuka Cemetery here in Lincoln. Shouldn't every cemetery have a searchable database of all interments? I added some memorials to FindAGrave when I found confirmation of the burial locations. My next outing to Wyuka will include photographing at least a dozen tombstones.

V.P. under Silent Cal

I continued reading various news articles and information I found on the web about Bertie Burr. She married a man named Beman G. Dawes. The Dawes name has historical significance in Nebraska. Beman Dawes' brother was Charles G. Dawes who practiced law here in Lincoln. The Dawes Plan for World War I won him the Nobel Peace Prize and he served as our nation's 30th vice president under Calvin Coolidge. Bertie's husband, Beman, served two terms in Congress and became head of a large oil company. Always looking ofr a political connection, I discovered from Ancestry that the former vice president is the brother-in-law of the aunt of the wife of the husband of my first cousin 2x removed. In other words, not really related!


Back to Nature

Bertie Dawes
Tree Dedication
June 1929

Perhaps the most interesting discovery in this family saga is that Bertie and Beman Dawes founded the Dawes Arboretum near Newark, Ohio in 1929. Today, it covers more than 1,800 acres and has more than 15,000 living plants. It is open every day of the year except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Admission is . . . Free. One of the articles I discovered indicated that the couple is buried in a private mausoleum on the grounds.


I know that I certainly enjoyed learning more about Bertie Burr and her family - and learning some more about Nebraska and national political history in the process.


If my travels ever take me to Ohio again, I know that I'm going to want to spend some time at this beautiful oasis created by Bertie and Beman Dawes.


If any of my blog readers have visited the Dawes Arboretum, please share your comments below. I'd love to read about your impressions of what seems to be a beautiful area.

Sunday's Obituary - Tilson Sanford Laymon

T.S. Laymon
Hardy City Cemetery
Hardy, Nebraska

Death has again entered our midst this time calling a dear brother, T.S. Laymon, the oldest son of John and Eliza Laymon. He was born in Grundy county, Illinois, on February 11, 1863, and died at Havelock, Nebr.; November 8, 1925, being at the time of death 62 years, 8 months and 27 days of age. He was united in marriage on February 12, 1898, to Miss Alvaretta McPherren. To this union were born three sons and one daughter. He leaves behind him a wife, three sons: Ray S. of Sheridan, Wyoming; Arthur H. and Howard E. Also one daughter, Venus A. of Havelock; also an aged mother, three brothers: George W. of Hardy, Nebr.; Herbert H. and Frank E. of Sheridan, Wyoming, and one sister: Clara Pecht of Hardy. His father and two sisters preceded him to the great beyond. -- Hardy Herald

Source: The Nelson Gazette, Nelson, Nebraska, Thursday, November 26, 1925
Relationship to me: great grand uncle; brother of my great grandmother, Clara Rosella Laymon Pecht

Sunday's Obituary - John Crispin Pecht

newspaper source: unknown
clipping courtesy of Michalyn Baumann

John Crispin Pecht

died at the home of his son, in Hardy, Nebr., at 1 o'clock Saturday morning, December 26th, 1903 of dropsical and other complications, incident to his age, which was almost seventy-three years. He was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Blair county, that state, Jan. 19th, 1831, where he grew to manhood. After reaching his majority the came west to Stephenson county, Illis, where on Sept. 6, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Amanda Melvina Stover, of the vicinity of Lena. His wife departed this life at Hardy, on the 26th of August, 1894. To this union there were born eight children, four of whom live in this state. Mr. Pecht came to Big Bend twp. south of this place, with the Stephenson county people in the early seventies, and has remained ever since. In his death the community loses a most genial, worthy citizen and the church a devoted true, Christian member, whose every act was that of a pure heart and a life devoted to the good of his fellow men in his life and the hereafter. The funeral service was held Sunday, the 29th at the Lutheran church, and interment was in the family lot in Rosemound cemetery, where others of the family gone before, wait the future. The family and friends surviving are very grateful for every kindness shown them during his sickness, which words but feebly express, but which are treasured beyond the present by each and everyone.

Notes:

John Crispin Pecht was my great-great grandfather.

Related posts:
John and Amanda Pecht and children

John and Amanda Pecht's marriage certificate
Amanda Stover Pecht's obituary

Sunday's Obituary - John Theodore Petersen, age 18

John Theodore "Teddy" Petersen
1906 - 1924

John Theodore Petersen, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Petersen of Nora, died Sunday night, June 15, at the Blue Valley hospital in Hebron, after an illness of four days. He was buried Wednesday afternoon. Funeral services were conducted at the home near Nora and later from Bethany Lutheran church. A great throng of people attended the funeral, one of the largest seen in this part of the country for a long time. "Teddy" was born April 1, 1906, and died June 15, 1924, thus attaining the age of 18 years and 2 months. He leaves to mourn his early death his mother, father, four sisters and four brothers, besides many friends. He was well known in the Ruskin community, having lived three miles south all his life up to the last year which was spent near Nora.

Source: The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, July 3, 1924


Relationship to me: grand uncle

Sunday's Obituary - Mary Casey Kelly

DIED

Saturday morning, November 6, 1886, at her last residence two miles from Greenwood, Neb, Mary, wife of Wm D Kelly. Deceased was born in Tuam County, Galway, Ireland, November 12, 1830.

The funeral will take place from St. Theresa's Catholic Church, Lincoln, on arrival of the first train from the east Tuesday 9th inst.

Source: Daily Nebraska State Journal, November 7, 1886

Mary Casey Kelly was my great-great grandmother. She is buried at Calvary Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Mary Casey Kelly
Calvary Cemetery
Lincoln, Nebraska

The Last Word: Ted Sorensen 1928 - 2010

The nation lost one of the greatest speech writers of all time yesterday with the death of Lincoln, Nebraska native Ted Sorensen. Sorensen graduated from Lincoln High School. He was one of the inner circle in the administration of President John F. Kennedy. The most memorable quotes of JFK were penned by Nebraskan Sorensen.

I was fortunate to meet Mr. Sorensen after he spoke at the Lied Center in Lincoln two years ago. No genealogy connection here, but as a Nebraskan, he played an important role in America's history. This video obituary was compiled by another Lincolnite and Lincoln High School graduate, Sean Patrick Farrell.



Here's a summary of Mr. Sorensen's life from his hometown paper, as only writer/reporter Don Walton can do justice.

Sunday's Obituary - Amanda Stover Pecht

Amanda Melvina Stover Pecht
my 2nd great grandmother

Mrs. Amanda Petch (sic), wife of Mr. John Petch (sic), died at this place Wednesday p.m., about 5 o'clock, after a lingering sickness of more than a year, of chronic ailments, aged about 52 years, and was buried yesterday at Rose Mound cemetery south of this place. She has been a sufferer from disease almost from the settlement here and her trouble has been at times almost unbearable. Mr. Petch (sic) and family came to this section from Lena, Ill., some twenty years ago and have many friends and relatives at Republic and in the country (sic) south of this who hold them in high esteem that will be true mourners of her death. - from the Hardy Herald

Source: The Nelson (Nebraska) Gazette, Thursday, August 30, 1894; pg. 3

Rose Mound Cemetery
Republic County, Kansas

Sunday's Obituary - Emma Harriet Landon Bellinger

Emma Harriet Landon Bellinger
1862 - 1915 or 1916

Mrs. John W. Bellinger

Harriett Emma Landon was born August 13, 1862 in Sharon, Wisconsin, and with her parents moved to Nebraska in 1870. She was united in marriage to John W. Bellinger November 12, 1879. To this union three children were born. - Harry Bellinger of Omaha, Mrs. Will Kelly of Greenwood, and Clifford Bellinger of Lincoln. she united with the Greenwood Methodist church in 1900, of which she has been a faithful member. She died December 31, 1915, at the age of 53 years, 4 months and 18 days. She leaves to mourn her loss, her husband, three children, two grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. Margaret Loder of Waverly, and a host of friends. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Wilton from the M.E. church Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, and the body laid to rest in Greenwood cemetery.

Source: Ashland (Nebraska) Gazette, January 6, 1916

Greenwood Gazette
Greenwood, Nebraska
date unknown

John and Emma Bellinger
Greenwood Cemetery
Greenwood, Cass county, Nebraska

Genealogy is not an exact science. Information we discover often just provides clues that allow us to make inferences. We do the best with the clues we find.

Emma Harriet Landon Bellinger was my great grandmother. Or perhaps she was Harriet Emma Landon Bellinger. Sources differ on which of her names came first. She was known as Emma.

She died on December 31, 1915. Or maybe it was January 1, 1916.

She was 53 years old when she died. Or maybe she was 63.

She was born in Sharon, Wisconsin. Or maybe she was born in Belvidere, Illinois.

Her surviving daughter was Mrs. W. L. Kelly, not Mrs. W. O. Kelly as one of the death notices states.

Obits: What Will They Say About You?

Just curious - how many genealogists who are reading this have actually written out their own obituary? Yes, I know it's hard for some to cope with our own mortality, but have you written something out?

Since my immediate family is down to two people and I will leave no descendants, I decided that I was going to get in the last word. My obituary is already written and on file with the mortuary. Creepy, yeah, I know. But not a bad idea, really.

My Dad has written his obituary as well. In fact, he just had me make some additions to it about a week ago. That must be where I get it.

As I read through some of the obituaries I find in my research, I come across so much misinformation. That is probably due to a family member trying to remember things about the deceased relative at an emotional time. The same can be said for the information provided by informants on death certificates.

The media always keep career highlights and filmed footage on celebrities ready to go at all times. How else did you think they can get the information out as fast as they do? Back in journalism school, our 'punishment' for misspellings or grammatical errors was to write obituaries on famous people. During a conversation with my Mom, she commented that some politician had died. I replied that he hadn't. She insisted she'd read it somewhere. We finally figured out she had read some of obituaries I had to write!

I'd love to find out if you've written your own obituary. If not, do you plan to? If not, who will end up writing it? Please add your two cents in the Comments section below.

Contemporary Obituaries

Quite often we get wrapped up in seeking obituaries from 50, 70 or 100 years ago. Just as often, the more current obituaries found online will give us a link to the past. I've had a great deal of success with Legacy.com, an obituary service used by many of the newspapers across the country. These obituary notices will include living family members, where they live, and quite often, the names of the parents of the person who died. This has opened up a lot of connections in my research in helping to fill in the blanks. Online obituaries seem to go back to about 1995, but a few that are older than that are available. Even if the obituary is older and archived, the cost of $2 - $3 is well worth it. Check it out and see if any of your long lost cousins appear!

Visit Legacy.com

George Washington Peight died after marching in parade - Named after the first President

Since today is President's Day, it seems fitting to share information about the death of a family member who was named for George Washington and who shared a birthday, February 22, with the father of the country.

Participant Dies Suddenly After Parade

One participant in Saturday afternoon's parade, George W. Peight, aged 71, of 419 Cherry avenue, a retired machinist of the Altoona works, died of a heart attack while watching the firemen's demonstration at the Cricket field following the parade.

Mr. Peight marched in the parade in a high silk hat, waving a policeman's night stick and handcuffs. He collapsed at the Cricket field and was removed to the Altoona hospital where it was found death had already ensued, Deputy Coroner Edgar G. Walls reported.

Mr. Peight was born in Altoona on Feb. 22, 1878, a son of Jacob and Elizabeth Peight, and retired from the railroad company service on Jan. 1, 1943 after more than 47 years employment.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mary E. (Burns) Peight; one step-son, Calvin Baird of Mill Creek; an adopted daughter, Katherine Peight of Altoona; seven grandchildren; and four great grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Cora Deshong and Mrs. Alice Beck, both of Altoona.

He was a member of the Fourth Street Church of God. Friends will be received at the Axe funeral home.

Altoona Mirror
Altoona, Pennsylvania
August 15, 1949

Seeking Obituary for Margaret M. E. Kelly St Paul, Minnesota - 1974

I would appreciate any assistance in locating an obituary for Margaret M. E. Kelly of St. Paul, Minnesota who died April 5, 1974. She was born in Minnesota (probably St. Paul) on June 8, 1880. She was the daughter of Daniel Kelly and Mary Collins. She never married. From the information I've gathered so far, she outlived all of her other siblings: William Daniel (W. D.) Kelly, Minnie Kelly Manahan, Daniel Kelly, Bridget Kelly, Ursula May "Bird" Kelly Daggett, Jennie Kelly, John Vincent Kelly and Paul Harold Kelly. She died in St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Thank to to anyone who is able to help.

Obituaries Wanted for Russell O Pecht and Zona Pecht

I've come across some more long lost relatives who I would like to find some more information about.

Russell Pecht was born October 3, 1893 in Nebraska, the son of Sherman Ellsworth Pecht and Vianna Liversa Ward.

If I have made the correct connections, he was an airplane mechanic who at one time worked with Wiley Post and was killed when the plane he was in crashed into two homes in Lima, Peru on Christmas Eve, 1935. He and the pilot were taking the plane on a test run when it crashed.

His widow was named Zona who was born in Nebraska on July 11, 1890. She continued to reside in California after Russell's death and she died November 7, 1974 in Long Beach.

I would like to locate obituaries on both family members, find out if they had any children and the names of Zona's parents.

Are you a long lost relative of these Pecht family members? Let me know by commenting below.

Obituary for Evelyn Gibbons of Atlantic Iowa

The Social Security Death Index has an entry for Evelyn H Gibbons who died March 26, 1995 in Atlantic, Cass County, Iowa. I am seeking a copy of an obituary to confirm if this is the same person as Evelyn Bellinger Gibbons. The family of the person I am seeking includes husband, Clifton M. Gibbons; children: Beverly Lu Turner, John Harry Gibbons and Bernie Lee Gibbons. I would appreciate any assistance in verifying this information. Thank you.



Evelyn Bellinger Gibbons