An Applegate "all-out" reunion was held Sunday, October 12 in the O.S.U. extension building in Sapulpa with 100 registered as having attended.
A great big thank you goes to Geri and Hugh Applegate, Opal Matthews and the many others for the long untold hours of labor of love, working hard and so unselfishly to make this, the first attempt at having an all out Applegate reunion, a great success.
Relatives came from far and near. Traveling the longest distance were Bill and Jean Applegate, of Oregon City, Oregon, and Winfred Applegate, of Cottonwood, California, sons of Clyde Applegate, of Sand Springs.
The oldest attending was Clyde Applegate, 84, of Sand Springs and the youngest was Kirby Applegate, 3 year old son of Dusty and Becky Applegate of Bristow.
A very delicious pot-luck lunch at noon was enjoyed by all attending.
A motion was passed that all good cooks please send favorite recipes to Opal Matthews, 1306 N. McKinley, Sand Springs, Oklahoma, 74063; Geri Applegate, Rt. 1, Box 147, Sand Springs, or to Faye Osborn, P. O. Box 429, Mannford, Oklahoma, 74044. Hopefully there can be some Applegate cookbooks compiled and ready by next year's reunion time. Please get the recipes in as soon as possible.
After the lunch the group assembled for the business meeting to elect reunion officers for the coming year. Dusty and Becky Applegate were chosen to be the president and vice-president. Several volunteered to work with them to help make next years another great Applegate Reunion.
The descendents of Peter Applegate had the largest representation. Of the 100 registered, 86 were his descendants. Peter and his wife, Sarah were among those pioneering the prairies of Western Kansas, encountering many hardships. They traveled by wagon train from Iowa to Kansas and were the parents of Lew, Bert and Ray Applegate. Many oldtimers will remember those three brothers who were in the feed store business for many years, Lew in Old Keystone, Bert in Sand Springs, and Ray in Old Mannford.
After lunch Virginia Applegate Baldridge gave the story of the Applegate famly's immigration from Norforkshire, England, on the ship Berghen-op-Zoom, settling in Redland, New Jersey in 1624. She read an interesting account of the "Mother's Flag," written by Ivan D. Applegate, a son of one of the mothers mentioned in the story.
The flag takes the family back to 1634 when Thomas and Elizabeth Applegate came to America from England. They settled in Massachusetts Bay Colony. The story came down to the three famous Applegate brothers, Jessie, Charles, and Lindsey, who led the wagon train from Missouri to Oregon, thus making a new route to the West.
They endured many hardships, among which was losing two sons when their boat capsized in the Columbia River, along with their American Flag, that led their party to this point of the journey. They finally arrived in Oregon and were living in a small settlement when one night the Indians came and cruelly murdered men, women and children and carried away young girls. The men started preparing immediately to avenge the murders and bring back the girls. They molded bullets, corraled horses, mended saddles, and arranged pack outfits among numerous other preparations.
The mothers and all the ladies scurried around and located five or six needles and every scrap of red, white and blue material that could be found. Hour after hour, these mothers worked through the nights, to finish the flag with its thirteen stripes, tears moistening every stitch. Just at daybreak when the men rode away, Jack Jones being seven feet tall, carried "Mothers" flag. If ever Old Glory was baptized in true Christianity and American patriotic devotion, that flag was. The men did bring the young girls home.
There is much history on this famly and it is hoped some of the highlights will be brought at each reunion in the coming years.
The group was honored to have Margaret Haney, the great-great-granddaughter of Charles Applegate (mentioned in this story) to come forward and receive a book written by her great-great-grandmother who helped to sew the "Mothers Flag." In this book are pictures of her great-great-grandparents and also that of her great-grandfather and all his 15 brothers and sisters. Margaret now lives in Sand Springs and has become better acquainted with her family through her book and has been surprised to find this area in and around Sand Springs full of her relatives.
For quite some time, Geri Applegate of Sand Springs has worked closely with Lester and Leita Applegate of Stockton, Kansas, who have been compiling history of the Applegate descendants. Geri and husband Hugh travel to Newton, Kansas, when all Applegate compilers meet for a national reunion of the compilers of Applegate History.
Attending the reunion this year from Sand Springs were: Edna Applegate, Opal Matthews, Leon and Janice Applegate, Chris Applegate and Tammy Goppa, Mr. and Mrs. Randy Applegate, Darryl and Darin Applegate, Alma and Herb Applegate, Virginia and Chuckie Baldridge, Hugh and Geri Applegate, James and Linda Jamison, Leisa Roberts, Jim, Carol, Kerry and Kim Applegate, Lena Lonham, Clyde and Verna Applegate, and Margaret and Patty Lewis.
Attending from Tulsa were: Clifford and Ertle Applegate, Lonnie and Joyce Applegate, Traci and Kara Sue Koster, and Leo Applegate.
Attending from Mannford were: Boyd and Vera Applegate, Clell and Letha Applegate, Faye and Lonnie Osborn, Sue and Lamont Schaefer, Lonna Fay Schaefer and sons, James and Joe, Norman and Lillian Anderson, Karen, Charity, Amy and Bubba Sunday.
Attending from Jennings were: Rhonda, Keith, and Mikel Hyle, Doug and Joy Rashendofer.
Attending from Sapulpa were: Kenneth and Betty Applegate, Pam Applegate and Sheena, Janell Jones and Rick James.
Attending from Mounds were: Lynn and Gordon Garrison, Norman and Betty James, and Mike and Debbie James.
Attending from Kellyville were: Mrs. and Mrs. Ernest Fisclin, Sherri Mann and Inez Applegate.
Lloyd and Paula Applegate attended from Jenks.
Vicki, Becky and Aaron Swan attended from Claremore.
Attending from Bristow were: Dusty, Becky, Kristin and Kirby Applegate.
Diana, Tasha and Timothy Yates and Darla Nelson attended from Broken Arrow.
Lola and Don Millar attended from Oklahoma City.
Dorothy Applegate attended from Del City.
Attending from Mt. Hope, Kansas were: Vernon, Dorothy and Rick Plouch and attending from Eskridge, Kansas were Myrtle and Russell Guilfoil.
Winfred Applegate attended from Cottonwood, California.
Attending from Arkansas were: Mildred Hill, Fayetteville; Ona Miller, Eureka Springs, and Mabel Clarkson from Huntsville.
Bill and Jean Applegate attended from Oregon City, Oregon.
It was wonderful to see so many come to make this such a day to be long remembered.
The 2nd Annual Applegate Reunion was planned with great anticipation this year and was held on Saturday, August 8, at the OSU Extension Building at the Sapulpa County Fairgrounds.
Attending from Mannford were: Clell Applegate, Boyd and Vera Applegate, LaMont and Sue Schaefer, the Rev. Lonnie and Faye Osborn, Chris, Kathy and Maria Tallent, Norman and Lillian Anderson, James Jamin Schaefer, Joe Whitemon, Lonnie Schaefer and Gene Farmer.
Attending from Sand Springs were: Edna Applegate, Kenneth and Opal Matthews, Jessie and Mary K. Willis, Don and Lester Forbes, Harv and Mavis Bohannon, Kathy Smith, Leon, Janice, Daryl and Chris Applegate, Hugh and Geri Applegate, Susan Dobbs, Clyde and Verna Applegate, Virginia and Chuckie Baldwon, James and Linda Jamison, and Leisa Roberts.
Those attending from Sapulpa were: Alma and Herb Applegate, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Wilson, Kenneth and Betty Applegate, Pam and LeeRoy Perkins, and Jarrod and Jake, Mr.and Mrs. Walter Wilson, and Marilyn and Mary Wilson.
Attending from Tulsa were: Stephanie Applegate, Lonnie and Joyce Applegate, Cliff and Ertle Applegate, Philip Tallent and Jan Fowler, Wayne and Ann Willis and family, Don and Beulah Willis, Byrnina and Jim Hensley, Hazel Kenser, James Willis, Dave and Andrea Hensirson, Ron and Beulah Willis, and Earl H. Johnson.
Attending from other parts of Oklahoma were: Samantha (Mildred) Foreman and Marjory Spencer, both of Copan, Ok.; Florence Allen, Tahlequah, Ok.; Don and Lola Millar, Oklahoma City, Ok.; Dusty, Becky, Kristi and Kirby Applegate, from Cushing, Ok.; Mavis Short, Claremore, Ok.; Jacqulin Fiscalin, Kellyville, Ok.; Norma and Betty James, Mounds, Ok.; the Rev. Philip Goldrich and Kathy, Holly and Sally, from Blackwell, Ok.; Lynn Garrison, Mounds, Ok.; Dorothy Applegate, Dell City, Ok.; the Rev. Darrel Osborn, Jet, Ok.
Attending from Broken Arrow were: Mark Applegate, Melanie Applegate, Lawrence, Diana, Tisha and Tim Yates, Donna McDonald, Darla Nelson and the Rev. Larry and Mary Jo Applegate and Stephanie.
The state of Kansas was represented by Vernon, Dorothy and Rick Plouch of Mt. Hope; Merle and Louise Applegate of Norton; Wayne and Marjoree Applegate of Norcatur; Myrtle and Russell Guilfoil of Eskridge; Leona Patterson of Agusta; Calvin, John and Helen Applegate of Agusta and Loyd and Carolyn Applegate of Andover.
Idaho was represented by Judy Madron of Coldwell.
Californians in attendance were Jean (Applegate) Barcomb of Bakersfield and Winfred Ray Applegate of Cottonwood.
Attending from Arkansas were: Joe and Laura Applegate of Dover; Henry and Pauline Applegate of Ft. Smith; Mable Clarkson of Eureka Springs; Mildred Hill of Fayetteville, Willard and Oda Taylor of Springdale and Joe Applegate of Dover.
Oregon was prepresented by Bill and Jean Applegate who also received a prize for the couple traveling the longest distance to attend.
Arizona was represtented by Vickie and Wayne (Boog) Applegate of Lakeside.
Attending from Missouri were: Viola Collins, Jerry, Ja and Melvis K. Applegate of Ozark.
Gospel music was furnished by Philip and Chris Tallent; Leota Forbes, Mavis Bohannon, Susan Dobbs, and the Rev. Larry Goldrich and his wife Kathy and children. It was enjoyed by all.
Each family in attendance receive the Applegate Coat of Arms.
A very delicious pot-luck brunch was served at noon.
Last year a motion was passed for all the good cooks to send their recipes and household hints from Applegate descendents to Opal Matthews, 1366 N. McKinley, Sand Springs, Ok., 74063 in hopes of compiling an Applegate Cook Book. This plea is being made again so work can begin.
Hugh and Geri Applegate, who have done much research on the Applegate Family, made a trip to California, Oregon, and Idaho in July just prior to this reunion and found many points of interrest concerning the Applegate history. They came across towns named Applegate, California and Applegate, Oregon. They also came across the old Applegate Trail a number of times. They took many pictures and VCR films of many places of interest, including the beautiful Clear River, the well-preserved covered bridge, a number of stores, restaurants, and parks each bearing the "Applegate" name.
In early days, the book of the Applegate Trail was taught in Oregon History.
Another place of interest was the well-kept Applegate mansion, nestled among the beautiful trees and well-preserved grounds surrounding it. The mansion belonged to Charles Applegate. It now serves as an historical building.
Charles, Jessie and Linsy Applegate are still remembered as the three famous Applegate brothers who were surveyors and engineers, thus charting the trail over the mountains from the East where about 1,000 people left Independence, Mo., by 120 covered wagons, pulled by ox teams with an average of 6 oxen to a wagon.
Many traveled by horseback, driving several thousand head of livestock through. Encountering many hardships, severe weather forced them to leave many of their belongings, wagons, livestock, etc. on the south side of the Columbian River.
Building various rafts, they traveled down the river to the Williamett Valley where they spent the winter in an old abandoned mission. Upon returning the following spring for their belongings, they had been taken by the Indians. They found only 4 wagon wheels. It is interesting as we search out more and more history on the Applegate family.
Special thanks go to all those who helped make this a successful reunion, especially to Geri and Hugh Applegate, Opal and Kenneth Matthews, Clyde and Verna Applegate, Kenneth and Betty Applegate, and Dusty and Becky Applegate. Dusty served as reunion president this year, assisted by his wife, Becky. They were re-elected for another year.
Response to the many letters, fliers and phone calls was tremendous and a total of 8 states were represented.
The prize for the oldest attending individual went to 85 year old Clyde Applegate of Sand Springs. Prize for the youngest in attendance went to the 3-monhth old daughter of Kathy Smith, also of Sand Springs.
Prize for the longest distance traveled went to Bill and Jean Applegate of Oregon City, Oregon, son of Clyde and Verna Applegate of Sand Springs.
We are looking forward to a successful 3rd Annual applegate Reunion next year.
The 3rd Annual Applegate Reunion was held June 18 at O.S.U. Extension Building at Sapulpa County Fairgrounds, and was well attended with nine states represented.
Attending from Mannford were: Boyd and Vera Applegate, Clell and Letha Applegate, Janice Applegate Coon, Lamont and Sue Schaefer and grandson James Schaefer, Norman and Lillian Anderson, Lonnie and Faye (Applegate) Osborn, Rita Burns and Sue Olson.
Attending fgrom Sand Springs were: James and Linda Jamison, Chris Applegate, Edna Applegate, Kenneth and Opal Matthews, Verna Applegate, Darin Applegate, Hugh and Geri Applegate, Leon and Janice Applegate and Darryl Applegate.
Attending from Sapulpa were: Kenneth and Betty Applegate, LeRoy and Pam Applegate Perkins, Ryan, Jerrod and Jake, Bobby and Jan Applegate Woodrell, Mindi Jones and Marrium Wilson.
Attending from Tulsa were: Gladys Applegate, Kathleen Applegate, Tammy Gappa Applegate, Darrell and Belva Foreman, J.C. Ertle Applegate, Dean Osborn, Tracy and Kari Sue Koster and Dane, Andrea and Ashley Henderson.
Attending from Bixby were: Curtis, Bonny and Misty Fletcher, George Wilmatt, Les, Terrianne, Robin and Jake Willmatt.
Attending from Kellyville were: Jacquilin, Steve and Jeff Fiscalini, Stephen, Delynn and Forest Swan.
Attending from Blackwell were: Cathy Applegate Goldrick, Daniel, John and Holly.
Attending from Broken Arrow were: Larry, Mary Jo, Mark and Tiffany Applegate, Don and Andrea Hinderson and Raymond and Donna McDonald.
Attending from Jennings were: Jay and Brian Rashendorfer.
Attending from Copan were: Mildred Foreman, Marjorie Spencer and Twanda Glantz.
Claremore was represented by Roy and Mavie Short, Becky Swan.
Those from Skiatook were Jim and Reatha Haas.
Attending from Cushing were: Dusty, Becky, Kristin, Kirby and Kari Applegate.
Those attending from Glenpool were Lois Horner and Lois Kennick.
The State of Kansas was represented by Russell and Myrtle Applegate Guilfoil of Eskridge, Ed and Nellie Applegate Williams of Arkansas City, John and Helen Applegate and Leona G. Patterson of Agusta, Lloyd and Caroline Applegate of Andover.
Missouri was represented by Dewey Applegate, Jerry and Joe Applegate, Melvie K. Applegate and Viola Applegate all of Ozark, Goldie Applegate Richardson and Nedra Applegate Barr of Oldfield, Howard Applegate of Bruner, Edythe Applegate of Ava and Geraldine Applegate Holt of Chadwick.
Attending from Alabama were Fred and Louise Applegate of Huntsville.
Californians in attendance were Winford (Short) Applegate of Cottonwood, and Gladys Lemmons of Napa.
Indiana was represented by Kathtlyn Cheshire of New Castle.
Those from Illinois were Donald and Juanita Applegate of Alton.
Texans attending were Jeff Schaefer of Dallas, June Applegate Hoskins of LaPorte, Jack and Betty Applegate of Hurst.
Arkansas attendance were: Katherine J. Applegate, Jerry Applegate and Pauline Applegate of Fort Smith, Jae and Nell Applegate of Dover, Robert N. and Norman J. Willmott, Leroy E. and Joy Willmatt, Theron and Jeane Wilmott, Pamela, Rhonda, Eric and Adam of Gentry.
Our hearts were sadded by the deaths and burial of two of our close family members one week before the reunion. Mavis Ann Bohannon who was burned so critically in an explosion at Sun Oil Refinery - she passed away and had funeral services a week prior to the reunion.
Last year Mavis along with her two sisters, Leota Farks and Susan Dobbs, added so much to the reunion with the Gospel Trio. They sang a number of beautiful gospel songs which were enjoyed by all who attended.
Eighty-five year old Clyde Applegate who was the oldest one attending the last two years, passed away and had funeral rites three days before the reunion. Clyde worked so diligently for the reunion. He had registration cards printed and ready for the reunion.
Clyde was one of the veterans and pioneers in seeking out the Applegate Genealogy, working closely with the late Lester Applegate of Norton, Kansas, Hugh and Geri Applegate of Sand Springs also with Hugh Voress who has the most extensive information on Applegates in America. He's done a magnificent compilation and it's a beautiful dedicated work.
Both Clyde and Mavis will be greatly missed. We were so proud of Verna who so bravely filled her place at the reunion, being the first to arrive and one of the last to leave. Verna is a person who is most happy when serving others, working in the kitchen and helping with the lovely pot luck lunch at noon, which was enjoyed by all. Verna, we couldn't do it without you.
We appreciate those who worked so faithfully to make this reunion a success.
One of the highlights of the reunion was receiving the beautiful Applegate Heritage Cookbooks for which we have been straining on for two years for recipes.
Thanks to all who sent recipes to help accomplish this. A great big thanks goes to Opal Matthews who so unselfishly worked literally untold hours, sorting, typing and compiling recipes also taking care of ordering, shipping, etc. Opal you made it possible for us to have a much treasured gift. I'm sure it will be enjoyed by all recipients for years to come.
Hugh and Geri Applegate located and contacted a number of descendants, this paid off as we had a good number attending for the first time.
Those coming from a long distance for the two funerals were unable to return for the reunion this year.
Peggy Butherus of Spokane, Washington presented Geri Applegate with a number of volumes of the Applegate Ancestry to be given as prizes at the reunion. Thanks Peggy - these were beautiful gifts to be treasured.
Prize for the longest distance traveled went to Winford Short Applegate of Cottonwood, California, son of the late Clyde Applegate.
Prizes were given to the three oldest attending. The three recipients were, 80 year old Katherine Chesshire of New Castle, Indiana, 81 year old Edna Applegate, of Sand Springs, 83 year old M.K. Applegate of Ozark, Mo.
Prize for the youngest in attendance went to three week old Kasi Applegate, daughter of the reunion president and vice president Dusty and Becky Applegate of Cushing. They were chosen to serve another year.
We are looking forward to having many more of the Applegate descendents next year for our Fourth Annual Reunion.
* * * A QMS Deezyne * * *