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I’m doing what all genealogists are supposed to do (but especially during a pandemic): going through my folders and dealing with “the stuff.” I hold a piece of paper, consider its evidentiary significance, its value as an artifact, verify that I recorded the content and citation in my database, and then let it go….

But I can’t let go of this yellow piece of paper with my circular notes, because it represents the last family history conversation I had with my father (JSR). We didn’t have many of them.

That summer of 2008, I scribbled, scratched, and drew arrows as he provided the names of the siblings of his mother, Mary Ella Offutt, my grandmother, Moo-ma. The names were familiar to me (and I had met cousins of my generation as a child) but we had never tackled the topic in a methodical fashion. He died just a few months later.

At the bottom, I recorded: “Sarah Dukes is a blank.” Then, apparently incredulous, I wrote “No dates, No nothing?” He thought perhaps Sarah had died when his mother was 18 but, other than that, nothing. (He was off by just two years.) The loss my grandmother experienced at age 20 and carried silently throughout her life, is unimaginable to me. But I can imagine now that she learned stoicism from her mother.

I had a picture of Sarah, taken right here in Baltimore in the late 1870s, at 1 North Gay Street. A face without a story.

That void launched a satisfying journey of family networking, on-site research, and sleuthing from my desk. The article that resulted was published in the Maryland Genealogical Society Journal in August 2017, the issue that was also my first as editor. Here’s how I put it in the teaser:

Little was known about Sarah, but researching her story offered a chance to visit nearby repositories and sites that figured in her life. Three cousins—one known and two “new”—shared family letters.

If you’d like to hear echoes of Sarah’s voice and learn about her unusual coming-of-age, you can download the article below. And now that I’ve scanned the scrap of legal pad paper, I should be able to let that go. Right?

Back in my blogging days, no post got more unexpected attention than the one I did on Tom D Ellison, my mother’s first cousin. While I traveled to Texas with plans to meet him, others just happened across Tom in their West Texas travels, came home and googled him, and found my post. We all agreed: he was truly a remarkable man. Sadly, Tom passed away in December after spending his last months away from his beloved garage. But he returned there with an honor guard, before being laid to rest next to his beloved “Tootlehopper.”

And now it’s time for one last hurrah in Sierra Blanca for the Williams family, who arrived there in 1911. On June 1^st, Tom’s amazing collection of everything-you-can-imagine will be auctioned (after a tremendous amount of preparation work by his direct heirs).  And a cluster of Williams descendants will be on hand to bear witness to the event. My first cousins and I have not seen each other in many years and I think Tom would be pleased that we will be there in solidarity with those whose job it is turn off the lights after a remarkable run.

For more information about the auction, because if you are within driving distance, you will want to be there: http://www.bradenauctions.com/JUNE1.html

Photos courtesy of Roger C. Ellison.

Anne Ruffner Edwards died at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, on December 24, 2018, after being diagnosed with brain cancer earlier in the month.

Born on August 29, 1945 in El Paso, Texas, she was the first daughter of James Stephens and Mary Elizabeth (Williams) Ruffner. She was raised in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Aliquippa High School and Grove City College. She taught high school English in Akron, Ohio, and Carnegie, Pennsylvania, before her children were born. Later she earned an M.S. in Library Science and Information Systems from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.

While a librarian and part-time instructor at Clarion, Anne was selected to be part of the Career Renewal Project, a federally-funded program to help state college faculty and staff transition to “real world” employment. Anne was the “star participant,” said Don Drake, program director and longtime friend. She launched her career in higher education administration as the Director of Career and Student Services at the Carnegie Mellon University Heinz School for Public Policy and Management in Pittsburgh. She spotted an opportunity at the University of Chicago, where the public policy inter-departmental committee was becoming a degree-granting school, and informed the founding dean why he and the school needed her. Not immediately convinced, he listened to multiple pitches before relenting. She went on to serve as Assistant Dean at the Harris School of Public Policy from 1989 until 1993. From there, she moved to Washington, D.C., to become a senior associate at the National Academy of Public Administration for four years. That was followed by a visiting appointment at the University of North Carolina as Director of State and Local Policy Programs.

Anne worked as a freelance writer and editor, specializing in environment policy, economic development, and education for numerous organizations, including the Pew Charitable Trusts; University of Maine; Educational Testing Service; Carnegie Endowment for Peace; University of Maryland; Maine Development Foundation; and Maine Governor’s Commission on Health Care. She helped many Ph.D. candidates polish their dissertations; no doubt, she would have used her red pencil on this obituary to good effect.

Anne moved to Portland in 1998 to be near her children. She began working at the Portland Public Library as a reference librarian the following year, and was then hired at the University of Southern Maine as a reference, research, and instruction librarian. Sandy Shryock, a public library colleague, remembers her as “the type of reference librarian patrons hope they’ll meet—who knows the answer or where to track it down.” Anne once reflected “You gotta love a career that allows you to find out the color of Valerie Bertinelli’s hair and locate a feminist critique of Jerusalem’s Gate in one 20-minute period.” She also taught at the USM Muskie School of Public Policy and Lewiston-Auburn College, and later worked at the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership as an administrative assistant.

Along the way, Anne became fond of the Chicago White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles and, in Portland, enjoyed walking a few blocks to attend Sea Dogs games. Primarily, though, she waved her Pittsburgh black-and-gold sports loyalty with fierce determination. (At the same time, she wasn’t above flaunting her Texas roots.) While not a native of Maine, she fit right in. She had strong opinions, a sardonic wit, and was stoic and independent. She celebrated family occasions and friendships with flair and generosity.

She is survived by her children, Elizabeth Edwards, Kittery, Maine, and Stephen Edwards, Portland; her two sisters, Rebecca R. Lobato, Aurora, Colorado, and Malissa Ruffner, Baltimore, Maryland; her son-in-law, Steve Hickoff, and cherished granddaughter, Cora Hickoff, a junior at Carnegie Mellon University; her maternal uncle, Jerry L. Williams, of El Paso, Texas; and nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.

Anne donated her body to the University of New England. No services are planned. Memorial donations may be made to the ACLU of Maine, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, or Maine Audubon. She would want us to keep up the good fight.

[A shorter version of this obituary appeared in the Portland Press Herald on 28 December 2018.]

 

 

Lemuel Offutt of Baltimore County, the subject of my recently-published article is not our direct ancestor.[1]  But he is the uncle of “our” Dr. Lemuel Offutt (pictured here with his oldest grandchildren), of Greensburg, Pennsylvania, who is likely named for him.

Uncle Lemuel of Baltimore County was the son of James Offutt of William and Rebecca Offutt, second cousins; James and Rebecca are our 3^rd great grandparents. We are descended from Lemuel’s brother, James, whose financial difficulties are detailed on p. 277 of the article.

One section of the draft that did not make it to print will be of interest to those descended from Dr. Lemuel Offutt. The article reveals that Uncle Lemuel Offutt of Baltimore County  (who had married into money) paid off the mortgage of his dying brother, James of Montgomery County, so the family could hold onto the Darnestown farm. After Lemuel of Baltimore died in 1865, his executors filed suit to recover the money from our still-broke family in Darnestown.[2] For a long time, our forebears got away with ignoring the suit. But when James’s widow, Mary, died in 1879, the plaintiffs’ compassion reached its limit.

In 1880, our long-bearded Uncle Jim Offutt was forced to buy the family farm at a public auction.

He paid $2,108.[3] On the same day, Uncle Jim sold an undivided one-half interest in the property to Sadie Offutt, wife of his brother, Dr. Lemuel Offutt, for $1,054.[4]

The bottom line is that for two generations in a row, a younger brother named Lemuel helped an older brother named James hold onto family property.

 

 

 

 

When Sadie Offutt died in 1905, her share of the Darnestown farm was inherited by her husband, son, and four daughters. Dr. Lemuel died in 1918, his share passing to his children. And, in 1919, they and their spouses sold their share of the farm back to Uncle Jim for $5,000[5]:

• James H. Offutt and Bess Conrow Offutt, of Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania
• Mary Offutt Ruffner and James A. C. Ruffner, of Beaver County, Pennsylvania
• Sarah Offutt Gates and J. Edward Gates, of Fairchance, Bedford County, Pennsylvania
• Susan R. Offutt, unmarried, and Rose E. Offutt, unmarried, of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

It’s no wonder our grandparents and great-aunts felt a strong connection to that beautiful farm.

For a longer virtual visit to the Darnestown farm, click here.

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[1] Malissa Ruffner, “Indirect Evidence Corrects the Parentage of Lemuel Offutt of Baltimore County, Maryland,” National Genealogical Society Quarterly 104 (December 2016): 267–82.

[2] Montgomery Co., Md., Circuit Court, Equity Papers, Case #128, Offutt et al. v. Offutt et al., Bill of Revivor, 23 June 1865.

[3] Montgomery Co., Md., Land Records, EBP 23:256, James B. Henderson, Trustee, of estate of Lemuel Offutt, to James H. Offutt, 30 November 1880.

[4] Montgomery Co., Md., Land Records, EBP 23:253, James H. Offutt to Sarah E. Offutt, 30 November 1880.

[5] Montgomery Co., Md., Land Records, PBR 278:247, James H. Offutt, et al., to James H. Offutt, 25 March 1919.

Elizabeth W. (Biddy) Ruffner (Grandma) was a brilliant kitchen tactician who could feed an army during a week-long encampment. Family members at holiday celebrations and summer visits enjoyed a varied menu that emerged from her freezer(s) and cupboards.

Not many women would host a backyard lunch for thirty guests on the day one of her daughters got married at 3:30 PM, but she did. And made it look easy.

But at no time were her skills more appreciated than during Christmas Cookie season.  Starting in October (we think), she began the baking.  Then, as the holiday drew near, the cookies were transferred to the “magic” closet, just beyond the door to the den, where the inefficient heating system rendered it cool enough to keep cookies fresh but not so cold they were frozen.  Foil wrapping paper lined the inside of the louvered door, making a whoosh sound when you opened it. On the shelves were more than a dozen containers, each with a single variety, ready for the moment of replenishment. If you were lucky, it fell to you to go to the closet with the golden opportunity to weight the selection with your personal favorites.

The Christmas Cookie plate sat on the dining room table all day, and you couldn’t get anywhere in that house without passing through the dining room. Favorites named include snicker doodles, peanut butter blossoms, M&M cookies, Snappy Turtles, Pam’s Cookies (cream wafers), apricot bars, thumbprint cookies, peanut butter balls and Mexican Wedding Cakes

If Grandma’s Cookie Plate had been in use during the days of social media, no doubt we would have more pictures of it. This is only known picture, seen here in the foreground, with John and Clare in the background.

Cookie-baking wasn’t a group activity. But at least some of her granddaughters were schooled by the master.  Elizabeth remembers that “we made snakes out of cookie dough then bent them into shapes like butterflies or flowers. And then we crushed different colored lollipops with a hammer and sprinkled the ‘stained glass’ inside the shapes and then baked them until the sugar melted into glass. Though not specifically for Christmas, the cookies were festive!” That must be what is happening in this picture taken in Baltimore.

Her grandchildren also enjoyed her cookies and her rapt attention at tea parties. As Elizabeth recalled at her memorial service, she could sit down at a table with tiny dishes and turn a ten-minute visit into a very special occasion.  Here she hosts her mother and Elizabeth at a three-generation celebration.

One activity did “require” the assistance of her daughters—the making of the Christmas fruitcake!  Rebecca remembers the “flour and the mess we would make tossing the ingredients in the white baby tub.”

Grandma favored Fannie Farmer as her go-to cookbook but her personal collection of clippings and cards was stapled into garden club desk calendars and annotated with reviews and modifications.  She used cross-references and citations to give credit where credit was due.

Her thoroughness was the hallmark of all that she did and that was so apparent at Christmas Cookie time.  We who follow can only marvel at her talent—and capture a few memories in the kitchen.

“EXPERIENCED―RELIABLE—ENERGETIC”

That’s how my grandfather described himself to New Mexico voters, and he did not exaggerate. Though his origins were humble, and he attended only two years of high school, he “could do about anything.”[1] That he did just about everything is the hallmark of his remarkable life.

Jesse Clarence Williams was born in Texarkansas, Arkansas, on 20 July 1895, the fourth son of Jesse D. and Ocie Ola (Manning) Williams.[2]

The following year, the family moved west to Water Valley in Tom Green County, Texas, where his father raised cotton and struggled to keep stock.[3] Perhaps it was the need to keep up with three older brothers but Jess learned to walk well before he was a year old.[4]

Julia Mae Jenkins Collection

Six more children were born to the couple while they lived in Water Valley, another boy and five girls. When they moved even further west in 1910, they left behind the graves of the three youngest girls.[5]

The family settled in Sierra Blanca, then El Paso County, the junction of the Texas & Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads.[6] Jesse D. ranched at first but by the 1920s, he had opened a filling station, and later the first Ford dealership in town.[7] Several of Jess’s brothers worked at the filling station (it was later taken over by a son-in-law), but Jess had other plans.[8]

Hudspeth County was formed from El Paso County in 1917 and Sierra Blanca became its county seat, creating new opportunities.[9]  Jess was photographed (first row, second from right) with the “First County Officials”; his title was Public County Weigher, Precinct 1.[10]

 Julia Mae Jenkins Collection

When Jess registered for the draft on 5 June 1917, just shy of his 22^nd birthday, he sought exemption from service based on his status as a self-employed druggist.[11] The claim failed—he was inducted into the army on 28 May 1918, and served in the 132^nd Field Artillery (36^th Division) of the American Expedition Forces. After six weeks of training at Camp Bowie near Fort Worth, the regiment sailed for France on 31 July. Another six weeks of training under French officers followed. The Armistice was signed before the unit entered combat, but the men stayed overseas until spring.[12] Jess was discharged at Camp Bowie in April 1919.[13]  He returned to his parents’ household, and by 1 June 1920, was working as a store clerk, but his life would soon take an important turn.[14]

 

Jerry L. Williams Collection

 While Jess was serving in the army, Amy Clare Walling was enrolled at the College of Industrial Arts in Denton, Texas.[15] Family legend holds that when Jess saw Amy arrive in Sierra Blanca by train in 1919–she had come to teach school–he knew immediately she was the woman he would marry. They wed on 27 July 1920 in Elgin, Amy’s hometown near Austin, and honeymooned in Cloudcroft, New Mexico, a mountain resort reachable only by train.[16]

Anne R. Edwards Collection

Jess and Amy settled in Sierra Blanca and welcomed their first daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Biddy,” the next year.[17] Katherine Louise “Lou” followed in 1923 and Jerry Loyd arrived in 1929.[18]

During the 1920s, Jess returned to civic employment. He was a Hudspeth county tax assessor for eight years, and then, at the age of 33, ran for county judge.[19] He served two terms, and presided in the only adobe courthouse in Texas.[20] But, like his father before him, he did not hesitate to seek better economic opportunities.

Jerry L. Williams Collection

One of Amy’s sisters lived in Fabens, about 60 miles west of Sierra Blanca, and it was probably through her husband, vice-president of the local bank, that Jess learned that the water company was for sale.[21] He bought the Fabens utility in 1931 and began much-needed improvements; the family moved to town in 1932 or 1933.[22] For most of their time in Fabens, they lived in a repurposed army barracks, called “The Blimp,” next to the water tower. Looking back on the Depression-era enterprise, Jerry realizes they were “dirt poor.”  Still, there was always enough on the table to share with hobos who came up to the house from the train.[23]

After selling the water company in 1939, Jess stayed on as a manager for a few years.[24] In 1942, the family moved to Ysleta, just outside El Paso, where he opened a dry cleaning business. When Amy inherited some money from her father, they bought four acres of land on nearby North Loop Road. He and his brother, Ellis, built a home using materials recycled from homes demolished for highway construction.[25]

During World War II, Jess was hired by the U.S. Corps of Engineers as a civilian inspector on the Alaska Highway, a project authorized by President Roosevelt in 1942.[26] Given Japan’s proximity, building the highway was part of a defensive strategy and an unprecedented engineering feat.[27] After a short stint back in Texas, Jess signed on with a contractor to do plumbing work for the Corps on the Aleutian Islands.[28] He was on his way home in August of 1945 when he learned that atomic bombs had been dropped on Japan.[29]

Jess was hired by the El Paso Natural Gas Company in 1947; he began in engineering and later shifted to the right-of-way and legal departments.[30]  When EPNG began tapping its new gas supply source in the San Juan Basin in northwestern New Mexico in the early 1950s, Jess was transferred to Farmington, New Mexico.[31] He represented the company on the Navajo Reservation, where it was paying for archaeological excavations as well as gas-line construction.[32]

Jess and Amy built a home in Farmington on Chaco Avenue, joined the First United Methodist Church, and put down roots. While Amy kept busy with gardening club work, Jess maintained active memberships in the VFW, the Masons, the Shriners and the Elks Lodge.[33] When it came time for retirement in 1962, they gave no thought to leaving Farmington.[34] The Navajo Nation observed the occasion with a photograph in the Navajo Times.

 
Julia Mae Jenkins Collection

 Jess did not sit back and put up his feet. He began working with the Chamber of Commerce on highway development. His first project was the road across the crest of Lake Navajo Dam, begun in 1963 and completed in 1970.[35] Then he envisioned a bridge across Pine River to the Middle Mesa, sure that increased access to the remote lake area was key to future development. When the bridge idea failed to gain support, he advocated a ferry to Arboles, Colorado, a two-hour trip he believed would be a solid tourist attraction.[36]

He returned to his professional roots and ran successfully for county tax assessor of San Juan County in 1964, unseated after one term by a very narrow margin.[37] He was honored as the 1970 Kiwanis Club “Citizen of the Year” for his work on highways and roads.[38]  He became a poster child for active retirement and was featured in several local newspaper articles and an EPNG publication. Asked for his advice, he offered it: “Occupy your time…stay away from debt…take good care of your health…look for something good in every day…develop a hobby…keep up with world events.”[39]

Jess was never all work and no play, though.  He was outgoing and enjoyed talking to people in all walks of life. He loved to have his picture taken and he was as comfortable hanging from a moon as he was perched on a fence.

  Julia Mae Jenkins Collection

He enjoyed good-natured jokes on others; he ribbed his son about finding himself on the wrong side of a ranch gate for years after it happened.[40]  But he also loved a joke on himself, inscribing this picture to his son-in-law, “I’m the one in the hat.”[41]

First and foremost a family man, he was devoted to his wife and children. He was proud of his offspring’s accomplishments but, to Amy and Jess, knowing they were “pretty nice people” was the most important thing.[42]

When his first grandchild was born, he decided she would call him “Papacita,” not being too fond of the ordinary “Grandpa.”  Later, however, his grandchildren shortened that to Popsy, and by, extension, called Amy Mopsy.  He loved it that they had given him their own unusual name.[43] Daughter Lou and her two daughters settled in Farmington shortly after Jess and Amy moved there, allowing them to enjoy everyday grandparenting. Distant grandchildren arrived on the train for long summer visits. Nothing was better than when there was a crowd around Popsy.

Younger generations were included in whatever he was doing. He took his granddaughters to the reservation to play with Navajo children while he met with their parents.

Great grandchildren had their adventures closer to home.

When his hearing loss made communication difficult, he would pull a coin from behind an unsuspecting ear to get the reaction he wanted.

His dedication to the Lake Navajo recreational area was more than professional. He built a houseboat—a trailer on pontoons―and christened it The Barge, and enjoyed hosting family and friends for fishing and overnight trips.

On dry land, he played golf several times a week until a pacemaker interfered with his game. He and Amy, an award-winning flower arranger, devoted hours to their “show place of creative gardening.”[44] The backyard of 1232 North Chaco Avenue was divided into three equally important sections: the patio for socializing, the manicured lawn and surrounding flower garden, and the vegetable garden beyond, with decorative wagon wheels “ridden” by every young visitor. Best of all, at least for his grandchildren, were the horned toads that lived among the vegetables. Popsy loved showing them how to tickle the toads’ stomachs.  The toads never seemed to mind. He also entertained those children with a bit of fancy roping, which none of them could ever duplicate, try as they would.[45]

An avid sports fan, he didn’t mind a bit of travel to take in live action. When his oldest daughter attended the University of Texas more than 500 miles from home, he timed a rare visit with a Longhorn game.[46] When she moved to western Pennsylvania after her marriage, he became a Pittsburgh Pirates fan, and was thrilled to host her family at the 1960 World Series, thanks to El Paso Natural Gas’ corporate tickets. He and his son-in-law were in the crowd when Bill Mazeroski hit his famous series-ending home run against the New York Yankees.[47]

His retirement attire rarely varied—a long-sleeved collared white shirt, one of his many bolo ties, dress trousers, and fedora. When he appeared in a powder blue tuxedo and white ruffled shirt to give a granddaughter away, it was deemed newsworthy by the local paper, a clear result of his devotion to her. Amy confirmed what many suspected, “I wish you could have seen his face when they brought that suit for him to wear.[48]

During his last illness, Jess became almost obsessed with unfinished civic projects, especially his dream of a bridge to the Middle Mesa. He gave his drawings and maps to the managing editor of the Farmington Daily Times, asking her to pass them along to a man who had observed the idea had “long term merit.” Once he had done that, he seemed to be at peace.[49] He died at home on 21 February 1978, at the age of 82, surrounded by family, nursed by a granddaughter.

Popsy would have been pleased that everyone gathered to celebrate his life. He would have been just as pleased, I think, that I laughed out loud at one of his jokes as the caravan of cars turned into Memory Gardens. He had once pointed to a cemetery along the road, nudged me, and asked, “How many dead people in there?” I shook my head, amazed that he knew the answer. “All of ‘em,” he chuckled.

———————————————————————————————————–

Unless otherwise noted, all photographs are from the collection of the author.  Thanks to Anne R. Edwards for her capable editing.

1] For his level of education, see 1940 U. S. Census, El Paso County, Texas, pop. sched., Justice Precinct 5, Fabens, enumeration district (ED) 20, Sheet 2B, household 37, Jess C. Williams; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2015); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 4028. The quote is from his son; see Jerry L. Williams, son of Jesse C. Williams, El Paso, Texas, interview by Malissa Ruffner, 10 December 2014; notes privately held by interviewer, Baltimore, Maryland, 2015.

[2] Jesse D. and Ocie Ola (Manning) Williams Family Bible Register (photocopy); Julia Mae Jenkins Collection; privately held by Tom D Ellison, Sierra Blanca, Texas.

[3] McBride-Williams Correspondence, 1890–1934, Julia Mae Jenkins Collection; digital images and transcriptions held privately by Malissa Ruffner, Baltimore, Maryland, 2015.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Jesse D. and Ocie Ola (Manning) Williams Family Bible Register (photocopy). The burial place was reported by Tom D Ellison, grandson of Jesse D. and Ocie Ola Williams, interview by Malissa Ruffner, 6 October 2010; notes privately held by interviewer, Baltimore, Maryland, 2015. The location information was confirmed by searching Find A Grave, database and images (http://findagrave.com : accessed 20 January 2015), memorial pages for Frances Williams (#2544937), Ira [Eva] Williams (#25449388), and Ruby Williams (#25449369), citing Water Valley Cemetery, Tom Green County, Texas. The birth dates for all three markers match the Bible entries. For the date of settlement in Sierra Blanca (1910), see “Hudspeth County Pioneer Dies At The Age of 86,” The Hudspeth County (Texas) News, 8 April 1949, p. 1, col. 5.

[6] Martin Donell Kohout & Texas State Historical Association, “Hudspeth County,” Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hch21 : accessed 18 January 2015).

[7] “Hudspeth County Pioneer Dies At The Age of 86,” The Hudspeth County News, 8 April 1949. In 1920, J.D. Williams was a ranchman working on his own account; in 1930, he was a merchant at a filling station. See 1920 U. S. Census, Hudspeth County, Texas, pop. sched., Sierra Blanca, Justice Precinct 1, ED 118, sheet 3B, dwelling 88, family 88, J.D. Williams; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2015); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1817. 1930 U. S. Census, Hudspeth County, Texas, pop. sched., Sierra Blanca, Justice Precinct 1, ED 1, sheet 2A, page 235 (stamped), dwelling 20, family 20, Jesse D. Williams; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2015); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2359. Son Ellis of the same household was working at the filling station, as well as son John L. Williams, of household 18.

[8] 1930 U. S. Census, Hudspeth County, Texas, pop. sched, Sierra Blanca, Justice Precinct 1, ED 1, sheet 2A, page 235 (stamped), dwelling 9, family 9, Jesse C. Williams; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2015); citing NARA microfilm publication T626, roll 2359.

[9] Kohout & Texas State Historical Association, “Hudspeth County,” Handbook of Texas Online.

[10] “First County Officials–Organizers– Friends of Hudspeth County 1917 Taken Front of Courthouse Under Construction,” photograph; Julia Mae Jenkins Collection.

[11] “World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918” digital images, Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com : accessed 4 December 2013), registration card for Jesse Clarence Williams, 5 June 1917, citing NARA publication M1509.

[12] Texas Military Forces Museum, “132d Field Artillery Regiment Lineage and Honors,” Texas Military Forces Historical Sketch (http://www.texasmilitaryforcesmuseum.org/36division/archives/132/132lin.htm : accessed 15 January 2015). For his induction and sailing date, see World War I Service Cards, Jesse C. Williams; Texas Military Forces Museum, Austin, TX.

[13] Photograph of Jesse C. Williams in WWI uniform; Jerry L. Williams Collection; privately held by Jerry L. Williams, El Paso, Texas. Jesse C. Williams gave the original to his son, Jerry, and inscribed his unit information and the date on the back.

[14] 1920 U. S. Census, Hudspeth County, Texas, pop. sched., Sierra Blanca, Justice Precinct 1, ED 118, sheet 3B, dwelling 88, family 88, Jessie C. Williams; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2015); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 1817.

[15] College of Industrial Arts, The Daedalian, Yearbook of the College of Industrial Arts, 1919 (Denton, Texas: College of Industrial Arts, 1919), 150; digital images, University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth129002/  : accessed November 18, 2014).

[16] “Elgin Girl Weds West Texas [Man],” undated clipping (photocopy), ca. 27 July 1920, from unidentified newspaper, probably published in Austin; Ruffner Family Papers, privately held by Malissa Ruffner, Baltimore, MD, 2015.

[17] Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics, birth certificate 64151 (1921), Mary Elizabeth Williams, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas.

[18] For the birthdate of Louise Williams [Malone], see “U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935–2014,” database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 21 January 2015), entry for Louise W. Malone, 1923–2004, Flora Vista, New Mexico.  For the birth of Jerry, see Texas Bureau of Vital Statistics Health Department of the City of El Paso, Texas, unnumbered certificate (1929), Jerry Loyd Williams, Health Department of the City of El Paso, Texas.

[19] For his years a tax assessor, see “Jesse C. Williams – Democratic Candidate for [San Juan] County [New Mexico] Tax Assessor”, campaign broadside [1964]; held by Ruffner.  He was a judge by 1930; see 1930 U. S. Census, Hudspeth Co., Texas, pop. sched., Sierra Blanca, Justice Precinct 1, ED 1, sheet 2A, page 235 (stamped), dwelling 9, family 9, Jesse C. Williams.

[20] “Jesse C. Williams – Democratic Candidate for [San Juan] County [New Mexico] Tax Assessor”, campaign broadside [1964]. Texas Historical Commission, “Hudspeth County Courthouse – Sierra Blanca,” Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation (http://www.thc.state.tx.us/preserve/projects-and-programs/texas-historic-courthouse-preservation/restored-courthouses/hudspeth : accessed 22 January 2015).

[21] Jerry L. Williams, interview by Malissa Ruffner, 6 October 2010; interview notes privately held by interviewer, Baltimore, Maryland, 2015. Amy’s brother-in-law, Charles W. Bickley, was Vice-President/Cashier of Fabens National Bank by 1924. See “La Acequia, 1924” yearbook index, Yearbook Digital (http://www.yearbookdigital.com/yearbooks/yb_1924_el_paso_county_school_annual_index.htm : accessed 22 January 2015).

[22] For the year of purchase, see Woman’s Missionary Society of First Baptist Church, Fabens, Texas, “History of Fabens, Texas,” undated; Julia Mae Jenkins Collection, unpaginated.  For the year of the move, see Jerry L. Williams, interview, 6 October 2010.

[23] Jerry L. Williams, interview, 6 October 2010.

[24] For the year of the sale, Woman’s Missionary Society of First Baptist Church, Fabens, Texas, “History of Fabens, Texas,” undated; Julia Mae Jenkins Collection, unpaginated.  The family was still living in Fabens in 1940, where Jess’s occupation was listed as a paid worker “Superintendent/manager of public utilities.” See 1940 U. S. Census, El Paso County, Texas, pop. sched, Justice Precinct 5, Fabens, ED 20, Sheet 2B, household 37, Jess C. Williams; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 18 January 2015); citing NARA microfilm publication T627, roll 4028. According to Jerry, they were still living in Fabens when the attack on Pearl Harbor took place. See Jerry L. Williams, interview, 10 December 2014.

[25] Jerry L. Williams, interview, 6 October 2010.

[26] Jerry L. Williams, interview, 6 October 2010. “Jesse C. Williams – Democratic Candidate for [San Juan] County [New Mexico] Tax Assessor”, campaign broadside [1964].

[27] PBS, “The Building of the Alaska Highway,” article, American Experience (http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/alaska-building/ : accessed 22 January 2015).

[28] Jerry L. Williams, interview, 10 December 2014.

[29] “Jesse Williams’ Look For Good in Every Day,” p. 11A.

[30] “Jesse C. Williams – Democratic Candidate for [San Juan] County [New Mexico] Tax Assessor”, campaign broadside [1964].“Jesse Williams’ Look For Good in Every Day,” p. 11A.

[31] “Jesse Williams Dead at 82,” Farmington Daily Times, 21 February 1978, p. 1. For the company history, see John H. McFall and the Texas State Historical Association, “El Paso Natural Gas Company,” Handbook of Texas Online (http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/doeet : accessed November 17, 2014). Uploaded on June 12, 2010.

[32] El Paso Natural Gas Company, Annual Report 1950 (El Paso: El Paso Natural Gas Company, 1950), inside cover.

[33] “Jesse C. Williams – Democratic Candidate for [San Juan] County [New Mexico] Tax Assessor”, campaign broadside [1964].

[34] “Occupy your time, stay away from debt…take good care of your health,” undated magazine clipping, c. 1970, from unidentified El Paso Natural Gas Company publication; Ruffner Family Papers, privately held by M. Ruffner.

[35] “Life Begins at 60-Plus For These Young-at-Heart,” Farmington Daily Times, 19 November 1972, p. 15–16.

[36] Ibid.

[37] “The Best Candidates,” Farmington Daily Times, 7 November 1966, p. 4, col. 1; digital images, NewspaperArchive.com (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : 22 January 2015). Schaaphok, Pat, “Cattaneo Romps to Sheriff Win”, Farmington Daily Times, 9 November 1966, p. 16, col. 6; digital images, NewspaperArchive.com (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : 22 January 2015).

[38] “Jesse Williams Dead at 82,” Farmington Daily Times, 21 February 1978, p. 1.

[39] “Occupy your time, stay away from debt…take good care of your health,” c. 1970. “Jesse Williams’ Look For Good in Every Day,” p. 11A.

[40] Jerry L. Williams, interview, 10 December 2014.

[41] Anne R. Edwards, granddaughter of Jesse C. Williams, interview by Malissa Ruffner, 2 January 2015; interview notes privately held by interviewer, Baltimore, Maryland, 2015.

[42] “Jesse Williams’ Look For Good in Every Day,” p. 11A.

[43] Anne R. Edwards, granddaughter of Jesse C. Williams, interview by Malissa Ruffner, 25 January 2015; interview notes privately held by interviewer, Baltimore, Maryland, 2015.

[44] “Jesse Williams’ Look For Good in Every Day,” p. 11A.

[45] Anne R. Edwards, interview, 25 January 2015.

[46] Malissa Ruffner,  “Longhorn Lineage” blog post, Family Epic (https://malissaruffner.com/2010/06/25/longhorn-lineage/ : accessed 22 January 2015).

[47] Anne R. Edwards, interview, 2 January 2015.

[48] Val Cooper, “San Juan Digest,” Farmington Daily Times, 7 January 1975, p. 4, col. 4; digital images, NewspaperArchive.com (http://www.newspaperarchive.com : 22 January 2015).

[49] Val Cooper, “San Juan Digest,” Farmington Daily Times, 22 February 1978, p. 4.

This is the third assignment I’ve posted from the National Genealogical Society’s Home Study Course, through which I am s…l..o…w….l…y progressing….(yes, OK, I am still on CD 1, but I have found the assignments worthwhile.  Best Practices indeed! ) Continue reading “Extreme Census Homework”

Three years ago today, I began a journey at “Come Home to New England” – a week-long guided research visit to the New England Historical Genealogical Society in Boston.  Continue reading “Geneaversary”

If you have any Frederick County (MD) research – or even if you don’t – don’t hesitate to hit the road for the City of Frederick.  It’s only about an hour west of both Baltimore and Washington, but feels much further.  Continue reading “Destination: Frederick, Maryland”

I wasn’t expecting it  – not its existence and not my reaction. Continue reading “The Wedding Dress”