(Van Bibber Pioneers Newsletter June 2001)
VAN BIBBER PIONEERS E-NEWSLETTER

A free monthly electronic newsletter for the VAN BIBBER, VANBIBER, VAN BEBBER,
VANBEBER, VANBABER, VANBEVER, and VANBEVERS families.

Vol. 4 No. 8 - June 2001

The middle of the year is now upon us and I hope all of you are enjoying your Summer. This means vacations for some and getting the opportunity to visit family members. Some of you will attend family reunions while others will finally get to go on that long awaited genealogy trip. Whatever you do, be safe and if you come up with some exciting family information please be sure to share it with us in the newsletter.

Bruce Logan has changed the address of the Van Bibber website, . It can now be located under at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~blogan/. Hopefully here in the near future he will be able to add the rest of this years newsletters into the Archived Newsletter section. Until he does, if you happen to need a copy from February to the present, please let me know and I can send it to you.

Once again, for all of those who sent in contributions, I want to say "thanks" for your efforts. Keep up the good work and I am already looking forward to working on next months issue.

Your Editor,

Gary R. Hawpe
_____________________________________________________________________________________

CONTENTS:

  1. New Subscribers -- Address Changes -- Invalid Addresses -- Corrections
  2. The West Virginia Hills
  3. The Family Bible of Thomas H. and Sarah L. Van Bibber
  4. William Henry Harrison Renfro
  5. Thomas Jefferson Stout
  6. John M. Singer
  7. Van Bebber Brothers Steel Supplies
  8. Excerpts taken from the 1924 diary of Zillah Zenora Van Bibber
  9. The John Reynolds Homeplace and Graveyard Excavation Update
  10. The Kanawha County Rangers
  11. Family of Electra Caroline Grose Keenan
  12. Obituaries
  13. Recent Deaths
  14. Recent Births
  15. Military News
  16. Reunions
  17. Notices
  18. Queries
  19. Sound Off
_____________________________________________________________________________________

NEW SUBSCRIBERS:

I would like to welcome the following twenty new subscribers to the newsletter for the month of June. Of the twenty, eighteen are descendants and the other two, Joan Bergbower and Tania Gasataya, have some connection or interest of the family. We now have 479 subscribers to the Van Bibber Pioneers newsletter and I expect us to reach the 500
th mark within the next couple of months. If you know of anyone who might be interested in subscribing please have them e-mail me.

  1. Ann Gent -- [email protected] -- Isaac Van Bebber and Mary Martin
  2. Charles Hawkins -- [email protected] -- Gabriel Van Bebber and Barbara Carlock
  3. Cindy Whiteman -- [email protected] -- George Yoakum and Martha Van Bebber
  4. Don & Vivian Van Bibber -- [email protected] -- James Van Bibber and Margaret Webb
  5. Doug Young -- [email protected] -- Richard Tillis and Elizabeth Van Bibber
  6. Ed Poff -- [email protected] -- Charles Poff and Hannah Van Bebber
  7. Elmer Smith -- [email protected] -- Cyrus VanBibber and Mary Timberlake
  8. Jane Gomez -- [email protected] -- George Hensley and Ruth Van Bibber
  9. Jean Freund -- [email protected] -- Isaac Van Bibber and Missouri Sutton
  10. Joan Bergbower -- [email protected] -- Liford family connection
  11. John Tunnell -- [email protected] -- James Estill and Matilda Van Bibber
  12. Johnnie Bays -- [email protected] -- Nathan Boone and Olive Van Bibber
  13. Kim Jarman -- [email protected] -- Nathan Boone and Olive Van Bibber
  14. Lawrence Van Bibber -- [email protected] -- William Van Bibber and Mary Williams
  15. Lenora Simmons -- [email protected] -- George Yoakum and Martha Van Bebber
  16. Madeline Louwaert -- [email protected] -- Calvin Van Bebber and Barthena Van Bebber
  17. Marvin Tunnell -- [email protected] -- James Estill and Matilda Van Bibber
  18. Nadine Duvall -- [email protected] -- James Van Bebber and Ruth Hooker
  19. Richelle Mead -- [email protected] -- John Liford and Levicy Van Bebber
  20. Tania Gasataya -- [email protected] -- Early Van Bibber family members

ADDRESS CHANGES:

  1. Betty Walker -- [email protected]
  2. Debra Doran -- [email protected]
  3. Donna Willis -- [email protected]
  4. Virginia Aldridge -- [email protected]

INVALID ADDRESSES:

The following addresses were invalid when I sent out the notice for newsletter submissions. It is important to keep me informed of your new e-mail address so you can continue to receive your subscription. The following subscribers will be removed from the mailing list if they do not contact me with a valid address for the month of July.

  1. Betty Vallance -- [email protected] -- Delivery to the recipient failed.
  2. Deanna Beaumont -- [email protected] -- User Unknown.
  3. Diane Curry -- [email protected] -- User unknown.
  4. Joel Watson -- [email protected] -- Recipient exceeded email quota.
  5. Kay Adams -- [email protected] -- User unknown.
  6. Linda Ames -- [email protected] -- User unknown.
  7. R. Paul VanBeber -- [email protected] -- User account is no longer active.
  8. Russ Beckwith -- [email protected] -- Host unknown.
  9. Susan Sylvest -- [email protected] -- User unknown.

CORRECTIONS:

RE: May 2001 Van Bebber Pioneers E-Newsletter
SERVICES FOR MRS. ELIZA VAN BEBBER HERE TODAY
Page 17 at bottom - correction
That unknown grand child is Frederick Earl Van Bebber, Jr.

Ted Van Bebber --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Note: The following article has some discrepancies. I have tried to note the errors in bold print within parentheses. (GRH)

THE WEST VIRGINIA HILLS

War with Chief Cornstalk brought Col. Lewis and his motley army from Lewisburg…..through the Kanawha Valley in early October 1774, on their way to Point Pleasant and their appointment with history. They came by way of the Midland trail, now U.S. Rt. 60, the same trail said to have been chosen by prehistoric buffalo herds. The twisty, over-hill-and-dale older sections would tend to confirm that.

Some contend that the fracas Oct. 10, 1774, in which Cornstalk was trounced, was the opening battle of the Revolution. Others not. Whether or no, many of Lewis' battle-seasoned men fought on throughout the Revolution and were rewarded with grants of land after the victory for their patriotism.

One canny Dutchman, Capt. John Van Bibber, and several of his sons (John's only son, James, did not fight in the battle of Point Pleasant) and relatives were with Lewis, whether motivated by patriotism, adventure or greed. As they went through, they were so impressed by the beauty and seemingly endless natural resources of the Kanawha Valley in forests, wildlife, inexhaustible species of oversized fish and rich bottoms lands for raising crops they asked that their grant of land be here. They were given more than 50,000 acres extending from Kanawha Falls westward towards Charleston and north towards Falling Rock up Elk River.

Their names have been all but forgotten, though they are immortalized in granite on the obelisk and other monuments at Point Pleasant Battlefield State Park.

Earlier, John Van Bibber had wandered over much of the eastern wilderness from Pennsylvania to Tennessee seeking a suitable place to settle and thoroughly enjoying his nomadic freedom. Through some misadventure, he lost his way and all his possessions including his survive-or-die flintlock rifle. That was not a very healthy situation—with Indians lurking everywhere, who were taking an increasingly-dim view of the invading hordes of whites—and with no way to slay game for a growling stomach.

Just about to give up in despair, Van Bibber spotted smoke curling skyward from what could only have been a chimney. He was certain it was no Indian campfire.

Charging through the underbrush, joy of joys, he found a pioneer cabin which was little more than a lean-to. Whooping and hollering—in English so he wouldn't be shot for an Indian—he greeted the inhabitant, who welcomed him only as a lonely pioneer and hospitable Southerners can do. The man introduced himself as Dan Boone, who fed and bedded Van Bibber, beginning a friendship lasting for decades.

Finally, Van Bibber felt he must take his leave, and Boone loaded him up with light trail food, probably including jerky and rockahominy, or parched corn, such as the Indians used, and forced upon him, against his protests, one of his prized flintlocks. It was a beautiful piece, with carved wood stock and fancy brass plating, plus a silver sight made by gunsmith, Michael Kimberlin, of whom research disappointingly fails to turn up any record.

It is entirely probable that it was the same weapon Van Bibber used at the Battle of Point Pleasant. It is also probable that several of Cornstalk's braves on the other end of it said, "Oh, that smarts," since the piece had a bore of about 60 caliber.

Back in West Virginia and the war over, Van Bibber built himself a cabin on his new land near Kanawha Falls. It is likely that his friendship for Van Bibber is what brought Daniel Boone to West Virginia, where he built a cabin near what is now the eastern city limits of Charleston, raised a family, and doubtless a bit of hell, as well as serving in the Virginia House of Burgesses as a representative from Kanawha County, albeit powerless and ineffective.

Boone was so angry at the inattention given the needs of Virginia's western counties, he probably sowed the first seeds of unrest and discontent, which eventually made West Virginia a separate state. In bull sessions with the Van Bibbers and other cronies in Charleston, he cursed the panty-waisted, lace-bedecked, powdered-wigged, perfumed, self styled aristocrats, who turned up their noses at the rough, smelly, deerskin-clad, uncouth, ignorant wilderness-breaker, whose name will be revered forever though theirs have been log forgotten. Boone was a practical-type aristocrat.

According to some old family records, Boone's son, Jesse, married one of John Van Bibber's younger daughters, Chloe. (Look out, here comes that same flintlock rifle again.) No it wasn't a shotgun wedding.

Years earlier, Chloe had been kidnapped by Indians and spirited off to one of their villages in Ohio. Her father, headstrong and determined as are most of his descendants, grabbed his rifle, mounted his horse
and began to search for her although he didn't have the vaguest notion which tribe had taken her or where. For 84 days he roamed and combed every Indian village in Ohio, the most likely place to look, since Cornstalk and his ilk had been driven across the Ohio River.

For some reason, known only to the Great Spirit, the Indians feared Van Bibber and let him come and go in peace as they did Boone. He kept a record of the time it took by cutting notches on a small stick attached with rawhide to his shot pouch and powder horn. Unaccountably, the twig was highly polished, possibly from his constant rubbing of it in agitation and grief as one would a worry stone today. Some over-imaginative descendents claimed the notches Redskins he had slain, but that is ridiculous, for he was no murderer and the notches are marked off in units of sevens or weeks. His persistence finally paid off. John found Chloe and brought her back home to West Virginia.

John later passed on the now-famous Van Bibber rifle to his son, Mathias, (Mathias was not a son of John, but a nephew through his brother Peter) reputed to have been one of the first sheriffs of Kanawha County, who scratched his monogram in the brass stock plate. He also did a bit of other scratching around and married Mariam Hutchinson. (This was Margaret Hutchinson, his second wife, whom he married about 1811 and they had no children). They only had two children: David, and a daughter, Felicity, (Felicity was a daughter of Margaret Robinson, first wife of Mathias) who married Moses Mann Hill, son of Spencer Hill and grandson of Francis Hill, oldest known member of that tribe in America. Doubtless you have heard of the West Virginia Hills? They are everywhere, for Moses and Felecity must not have had much to occupy their spare time—they only had 15 children, equally fertile.
------------

Dividing the original 50,000 Van Bibber acres so may ways didn't leave a very big hunk for anybody, but their favored first born, names for another prominent Kanawha Valley landowner, George Washington, got one of the choicer pieces, George Washington Van Bibber (should be George Washington Hill) married Rebecca Jane Kendall, sixth great granddaughter of John Rolfe and an Indian lass named Amonate or Matoax or Rebecca—take your choice. You may also have heard about her by her tribal name of Pocahontas, which means Little Snow Feather.

Indians were romantic!

So were George Washington and Rebecca Van Bibber (should be Hill). They begat nine younguns.

Major "Billy" Hill, another grandson of Spencer, inherited a vast acreage of the original Van Bibber holdings around Gauley Bridge and Belle Creek, said to be worth a million—quite a switch from the 10 cents an acre valuation when John Van Bibber got it.

It is said that on his deathbed Billy was frightened into leaving his property to some self-styled charitable organization or he would suffer the fires of damnation and hell. Relatives contested the will and litigation went on for half a century, meanwhile taxes and other fees nibbled away happily at the estate.

Eventually the estate was settled a few years ago in favor of the relatives who had proliferated algebraically with their own little private population explosion—oh, those West Virginia Hills—and the proceeds were divided—the more distant the relatives, the smaller the checks. The postage to mail them must have been frightful.

Two of George W. and Rebecca Hill's children: Antoinette, or "Pidge," and Owen Duffy (Duffy Street?), engaged in a little game of Monopoly and bought out, or otherwise contrived to get from the other children, most of their parent's property when it was whacked up.

Owen Duffy (O.D.) was an eccentric and took 3,000 acres-larger than many of West Virginia's beautiful state parks and forests—of the remotest area 15 miles up Blue Creek north of Charleston. He named it after his mother's family home, Old Kendalia, which in turn was named for her father, George Kendall, who married the fifth great granddaughter of John and Little Snow Feather.

O. D. Hill's nearest neighbor was two miles in one direction, and three in the other, mainly because he owned most of the land in between and because he was so gregarious.

"Pidge" was smarter and took her's along Elk River. She married the Rev. Christopher Bream Graham—thus the communities of Graham Station and Bream, just upriver from Charleston, and quite possibly Christopher Street in Charleston and maybe even Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Bream was rather a modest and retiring man.

Their son, Will Graham, was fire chief of Charleston for many years.

The Rev. Mr. Bream was minister of a church that established a mission in Siam, now Thailand, and once had the distinction of entertaining the King of Siam here in Charleston. The King had come as a goodwill gesture of thanks for the church's work in his country. Bream got so nervous at the prospect of such an awesome guest he asked "O. D." what in the world to do. Duffy answered, "Feed him rice and rats! That's what he's used to eating back home." You see, Duffy was more worldly and widely-traveled than Mr. Bream and couldn't resist any opportunity to jest, though many took him seriously, because he never laughed or cracked up at his own jokes.

"O. D.," began his multi-hued career as a school teacher at the age of 18 in a one-roomer just about as far back in the sticks as one can get. He used a stand-up schoolmaster's desk so old that it looked like it came over on the Mayflower, was rejected and sent back to England. It was solid cherry, put together with wooden pegs and the legs had been turned on a foot-powered lathe. When it was exhibited once, knowledgeable collectors said they had never even seen a picture or mention of one like in 30 years of antiquing. In their opinion, it was a museum piece.

----------

The globe accompanying the desk could have been of mars before it became a dead planet. It has some mighty peculiar names of countries such as Turkestan, Fezzan, Nova Zembla and a host of others. Oklahoma was listed as "Indian Territory" and there was a lumpy little squiggle in the eastern U.S.A., which look suspiciously like West Virginia, but, then, there wasn't room on a one-foot globe to write all of that. If that is so, it would date the globe somewhere just this side of 1863. Lincoln had something to do with that, but he probably wouldn't admit it even if he did know the West Virginia Hills.

But one of O. D.'s prized possessions was Gen. Robert E. Lee's Colt pistol, patented in 1855 ('Marse Bob' had a grandmother by the name of Hill.) The Lee Colt bore the serial number 75302 and the same serial number was on all the various parts, which is rare. The pistol and its holster were passed down as Hill family heirlooms until they were stolen by a burglar in 1971. Anyone knowing of the present whereabouts of the stolen property, should contact the Charleston Police Department.

"O. D.," married Edna Laura Black of Gallatin, Mo. In 1898. (Remember Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury 1801 – 18?). She was a descendant of Mid Western pioneer stock including immigrant George Harden of Dublin, Ireland and Bathsheba Lightner (another good Dutch name) who was born in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, which kind of brings us full circle.

One of the Harden sons, Monroe, was killed at the Battle of Shiloh, and a granddaughter, Frances, served as secretary of the National Educational Assn., for many years. Another son married Ruth Vanderlip (Oh, no, not another Hollander), sister of Frank Vanderlip, who was the first correspondent to report the sinking of the Battleship Maine, opening gun of the Spanish-American War.

Some of Duffy's and Edna's children and grandchildren are still lurking around. Their firstborn, Irene, married Hugh B. Robins, MD, now deputy director of Pittsburgh's Health Dept., formerly of the Kellogg Foundation in Battle Creek, Mich., and who served as city health commissioner of Charleston for many years.

Their son, Kendall Harden Robins, DS, is a painless driller in Battle Creek and confidant of the Kelloggs and Posts, since only their dentist knows for sure. Another son, Owen Hill, is a sawbones in Houston—the name of the state eludes.

Dr. Hugh's father was Joe E. Robins, Sr. also a physician, co-founder of National City Bank (now the Terminal Building at the corner of Capitol Street and Kanawha Boulevard), which was later merged to form one of Charleston's leading backs today. Joe was also president of the Kanawha County School Board for decades—J.E. Robins Elementary School on the West Side was named in his honor. No telling what other pies of endeavors he got into.

Dr. Thigh's sister, Madge, married Kemp Littlepage and their stone mansion is now headquarters for Littlepage Terrace housing development.

"O. D's" son, O. D. II, married Maple Wysong, architect for Charleston's Municipal Auditorium, the now-gone Ventura Hotel in Ashland, Ky., and other landmarks. Their son, O. D. III is with Ma Bell in Dayton Beach, and younger son, Dick owns a dog kennel in Ft. Myers, Fla.

The baby of O. D.'s family was born in St. Francis Hospital. His father's best friend was the Rev. Francis Merrill of Dunellen, N.J. The Hill neighbors had a model son Francis. Seven signers of the Declaration of Independence were named Francis, and, remember, a Francis was the earliest known Hill in America.

The baby didn't have a chance. They named him Francis.

He also suffered the indignity, long before the advent of Playboy, of having his picture in the nude printed on page 12 of the may 29, 1922, edition of the Charleston Gazette. The caption read:

"He's just had a bath, that's sure, and hasn't had time to dress, and he's learning to stalk Indians, maybe, just like one of his forefathers did it. His name is Francis B. Hill; he lives at Kendalis, W. Va.; his parents are Mr. & Mrs. O. D. Hill—and he is a direct descendant of Daniel Boone, (not through the Van Bibbers if he is) famous Indian fighter and at one time a sheriff of Kanawha County. Maybe he's trying to learn how Danny did it, even if he is only 20 months old."

Which proves that newspapers have been making mistakes ever since May 28, 1922.

Submitted by Stephen Samples --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

THE FAMILY BIBLE OF THOMAS H. AND SARAH L. VAN BIBBER

Births.

"Henry V. Van Bibber was born in Charleston Dist.-S.C. February 8
th 1798."
"Nancy E. Leak now Van Bibber was born Nov 27 1799."
"Thomas H. Van Bibber was born December 14
th 1830"
"Sarah J. Leak was born January 5
th 1834"
"Mary Louisa Duvall Van Bibber was born October 5
th 1855."
"Henry William Van Bibber was born August 27
th 1857."
"Nancy Jessie Van Bibber was born Nov. 7
th 1859"
"James K. Thrower, Jr. was born June 19
th 1884"
"William Henry Thrower was born December 11
th 1885"
"Thomas Van Bibber Thrower was born September 4
th 1887"

Marriages.

"Henry V. Van Bibber was married to Nancy E. Leak April 9
th 1817"
"Thomas H. Van Bibber was married to Sarah J. Leak, November 30
th 1854"
"James K. Thrower and Nancy Jessie Van Bibber were married Sept.26 1883"
"William H. Van Bibber and Gladys Merel were married April 3
rd 1884"

Deaths.

"Nancy E. Van Bibber Died November 7
th 1853"
"Thomas H. Van Bibber Died in the City of Houston Texas, January the 25
th 1861 of typoid (sp) fever. He left evidences of having obtained the Pardoning Love of God In the midst of Life We are in Death (signed) Henry Van Bibber"
"Louisa Duvall Van Bibber Cook died Jan 30, 1894"

The original of this Bible is in the possession Nancy Starr Johnston, St. Simons Island, GA
Copies are available from the submitter.

For additional information on the above surname(s), please contact the submitters.

Submitted by Bryan Starr --
[email protected] -- and Dean Starr -- [email protected] --
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
    Nancy VanBebber and William Renfro
      Marcellus Renfro and Elizabeth Gibson
        James Chrisman Renfro and Susan Thrailkill
          William Henry Harrison Renfro and Louisa Thompson Witten

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON RENFRO

"W. H. Renfro, a son of J. C. and Susan Renfro, was born near Trenton, March 4, 1841. He now lives on route two. Mr. Renfro married Louisa Witten, daughter of T. G. Witten. They have one child, Nanny M., now Mrs. L. C. Lemley.

Mr. Renfro moved with his parents to Mercer county when one year old. Here they stayed four years, then moved to Trenton where Mr. Renfro, Sr. went into business. They stayed here till Mr. Renfro was twelve years old, then went to farming in Harrison township, where Mr. Renfro now owns a three
hundred and twenty acre tract.

Mr. Renfro was a member of the first militia company organized in this county for the Civil war, Company A, made up at Trenton and Chillicothe, commanded by Captain Garvin and part of Col. King's regiment."

A History of Grundy County, James E. Ford, pp. 426-427, Copyright 1908.

Submitted by Darrel and Sally --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
    George Yoakum, Jr. and Mary Ann Maddy
      Washington Campbell Yoakum and Sophia Pearson Conger
        Lavenia Ann Yoakum and Thomas Jefferson Stout

THOMAS JEFFERSON STOUT

T. J. STOUT, R. R. and Express Agent, Telegraph operator, Postmaster and grain dealer, came to Kansas November 10, 1868, engaged in railroading till spring of 1869, and then settled in Leavenworth, still in the service of the railroad till March 30, 1870, when he lost his right leg in a railroad accident at Lawrence, Kas., and since his recovery has continued the service at Fairmount as agent. Has been Postmaster since 1872, and Treasurer of his district since 1873. Has also served as Justice of the Peace two terms. He enlisted in the Third New York Marine Artillery, in August, 1861, and served until they were disbanded in March, 1863. He was on the gunboat Centennial, of Burnside's expedition, along the coast of Virginia and North Carolina; was in all the engagements of his command. He re-enlisted in the spring of 1865, in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry, and was mustered out November, 1865. He was born in Fayette County, Ill., November 18, 1841; son of Phillip and Hannah Stout. He left his native place in 1859, and lived at Amboy, Ill., till his removal to Kansas, in 1868. He was married at Fairmount, September 11, 1872, to Lavinia Yocum, daughter of W. C. and Sophia Yocum. She was born in Athens, Ga., July 28, 1848. Their children are Sydney Ray, Charles Edgar, Phillip Ray, Linton Campbell and Andrew J. The first four are still living. Mr. Stout has been honored as Delegate to county and State conventions.

History of the State of Kansas by William G. Cutler

Submitted by Gary R. Hawpe --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
    George Yoakum, Jr. and Mary Ann Maddy
      Washington Campbell Yoakum and Sophia Pearson Conger
        Mary E. Yoakum and John M. Singer

JOHN M. SINGER

JOHN M. SINGER, blacksmith, wagon-maker and fruit-grower, came to Kansas in February, 1857, and located at Ottumwa, Coffey Co., Kansas. Was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company H, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, December, 1861. He served four years, and was in all the engagements of his command. Was mustered out in the spring of 1865. Was Second Lieutenant, commanding the company the most of the time. He was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., December 25, 1828. His parents were Samuel and Jane Singer. He left Pennsylvania in 1852. After living at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for one year, he went to California, and thence to Coffey County, Kansas. He was married September 13, 1860, to Hannah M. McCombs, by whom he had one child - Carrie Ellen. His first wife dying October 9, 1863, he again married December 25, 1871, Mrs. Mary Downs, a widow lady, whose maiden name was Zoakum (sp). Her native place was Tennessee. She has three children by her first husband-Fannie, Lewis W. and Mollie Downs. Mr. Singer and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was a delegate to the State Convention in 1878, and again in 1882.

History of the State of Kansas by William G. Cutler

Submitted by Gary R. Hawpe --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Isaac Van Bebber and Sarah Davis
  John Van Bibber and Margaret Chrisman
    James Van Bebber and Elizabeth Yoakum
      Peter Van Bebber and Esmeralde Maybee
        George Washington Van Bebber and Lois Mae Penry
          George Elwin Van Bebber and Dorothy Rogene Wells
            Royce Leland Van Bebber

--and--

Isaac Van Bebber and Sarah Davis
  Margaret Van Bebber and George I Yoakum
    Isaac Yoakum and Mary Davis
      Elizabeth Yoakum and James Van Bebber
        Peter Van Bebber and Esmeralde Maybee
          George Washington Van Bebber and Lois Mae Penry
            George Elwin Van Bebber and Dorothy Rogene Wells
                Royce Leland Van Bebber

VAN BEBBER BROTHERS STEEL SUPPLIES

In 1901, George W. Van Bebber began a blacksmith shop on East Washington Street. He was later joined in the business by his sons, George E. and Alvin Van Bebber. Grandson Royce entered the firm about 1949, and great grandson Richard has been involved for the last 20 years. Now, with Royce R. Van Bebber, a fifth generation of Van Bebbers has joined the firm -- which will be celebrating its centennial this year, according to Royce Van Bebber.

"We evolved a blacksmith shop into a machine shop and welding shop," Royce Van Bebber said. "In 1969, we became strictly a steel distributor, selling and processing steel products, and no longer doing machine work or fabrication."

The business was located in the Mahoney Building, 246 Main St., for a number of years. In November of 1956, to its present location at 729 Petaluma Blvd. South.
~~~~~

Petaluma Argus-Courier
Petaluma, CA
Wednesday, May 30, 2001
Special Section: Petaluma Almanac 2001
About Petaluma - Established Establishments
Page 6

Submitted by Ted Van Bebber --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
  Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
    Soloman H. VanBibber and Mary Jane Bryson
      Ezekial VanBibber and Rebecca Jane Clowers
        James Albert VanBibber and Zillah Zenora Warren

EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM THE 1924 DIARY OF ZILLAH ZENORA VAN BIBBER

Jan. 7 - I went to Idabel today and bought 3 dress patterns $1.15, 2 pair shoes $3.45 and nuts $ .10. The train fare was $1.16.
Jan. 20 - It sure is cold and I am most sick. I read the Bible all evening and prayed.

Feb. 11- I corded bats and put in a quilt today. I quilted with Mother.

Mar. 5 - Washed 228 pieces today.
Mar. 13 - The ground is white with snow - 7 inches deep.

April 30 - We went to Arkansas to pick strawberries.

May 19 - We cleaned peanuts and worked on rag rugs.

June 2 - We chopped cotten and worked in garden.
June 20 - I ironed, hoed cane and canned berries and plumbs.
June 28 - The children picked berries, I mended and canned cucumbers.

July 16 - I made jelly, canned cucumbers and starched clothes.
July 18 - I made soap in the morning and tacked a matress in evening.
July 21 - My hand is awful sore today. I read as I couldn't do anything but hold my hand.

Aug. 1 - We went to graveyard and cleaned our people's grave.
Aug. 13 - I washed clothes-cooked apple preserves and went to a church revival.
Aug. 20 - Went to a Baptizing this morning, the preacher taken dinner with us.

Sept. 30 - Picked cotton, peas and peanuts.

Oct. 30 - I put the floor in the stable and hauled corn home.

Nov. 4 - I quilted in the morning and voted in the evening.
Nov. 26 - I taken subscription for the Curtis Publishing Co.

Dec. 5 - Started a new addition to the hen house, then washed clothes.
Dec. 9 - We killed our hog.
Dec. 11 - I rendered lard and made sausage.
Dec. 18 - I went to America and Moon Oklahoma and bought Christmas things.
Dec 24 - We cooked, cleaned house, decorated and went to Christmas Tree, scrubed kitchen and had dinner. I went to see a friend whose husband died Dec. 21.
Dec. 26 - We built our cow shed.

Income for year.

Washing - $11.25
Cotton - $50.00
Picking cotton - $31.70
Work in office - $4.00
Greens sold - $.35
Eggs - $10.80

Total was $128.10 which I spent on Christmas Gifts.

Submitted by Marc Herron --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Isaac VanBibber and Hester Op den Graeff
  Jacob Isaacs VanBibber and Christina ___________
    Isaac Jacobs VanBibber and Frances Schumacher
      Peter VanBibber and Anna __________
        John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
          Miriam VanBibber and John Reynolds

THE JOHN REYNOLDS HOMPLACE AND GRAVEYARD EXCAVATION UPDATE

Subj:  John REYNOLDS Graveyard update
Date:  6/11/01 7:49:31 AM Mountain Daylight Time
From:  
[email protected] (Robert Maslowski)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Gary,

To date we have located 9 graves in the Reynolds Cemetery. We have headstones for five individuals:

Van Bibber Reynolds (b.28 Dec d. 18 Dec 1843)
Elizabeth B. Reynolds (b.18 Oct 1802 d. Sept 1838)
James Reynolds (Son of Van Bibber died Mar 3, 1852)
Fenton Reynolds (Son of John Reynolds)
John Reynolds (b.15 Nov 1758 d. Feb 29, 1832)

Most of the headstones were moved but we may be able to match up the headstones for Fenton and James Reynolds. There may also be the wife and daughter of John Morris in the cemetery. Bone preservation is poor so it will be difficult to determine sex and age in many instances. The headstone for Fenton Reynolds was buried under the roots of a big tree and was found only a few days ago so there is the possibility of finding more headstones. I haven't given up looking for the Miriam Van Bibber headstone. There are also later graves post civil war since one unmarked burial had a glass viewing plate and porcelain false teeth.

Unfortunately, the bottom of the Fenton grave stone is broken off and we don't have his date of birth and death. I left my camera in the car over the weekend and the heat ruined the film I shot of the tombstone. Will get more photos today.

I have been in touch with Ray Faircloth but not the direct descendants. Once we finish the excavations and get a report we will coordinate with the family members. We have a lot of data on the Reynolds family but it will be a while before we have any final reports.

Bob
----------

Subj:  Tombstones at the John REYNOLDS graveyard
Date:  6/18/01

To:  
[email protected] (Robert Maslowski)
From:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Bob,

Were all these tombstones found at the burial sight? I thought Ann BIRD had the stone of John REYNOLDS in her possession? Which ones were still at the little graveyard?

Gary
----------

Subj:   RE: Tombstones at the John REYNOLDS graveyard
Date: 6/18/01 5:56:26 AM Mountain Daylight Time
From:  
[email protected] (Robert Maslowski)
To  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Gary,

Four tombstones were found at the site and Ann Bird had the John Reynolds tombstone. She had what we thought was an unmarked Tombstone but it turned out to be a foot stone. All 5 tombstones and footstones are in the lab. Today we will begin stripping the area around the cemetery to look for the remaining tombstones and possibly additional graves. I will scan the photos of the new tombstones and email them to you later in the week.

I haven't seen any information of Fenton Mercer Reynolds but I'm sure our historian or archeologist will find something. They indicated that he did not marry.

Bob
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
  Jesse (John) VanBibber and Elizabeth Greenlee

THE KANAWHA COUNTY RANGERS

Jesse Van Bibber, served in the Kanawha County Rangers, under Captain Hugh Caperton. The Rangers served up and down the Kanawha Valley, protecting the settlers, from Indian attacks, in the late 1700s. When Fort Lee was founded, the Rangers were hired as scouts and messengers. A Ranger was the last man to be killed by Indians in the Kanawha Valley. After this service as a Ranger, Jesse Van Bibber, was commissioned as a Captain in the Virginia Militia. He served in the Militia till 1808, when he resigned. He owned a farm at the mouth of Thirteen Mile Creek, in the Union District, of Mason County. He resided on this farm till he and his wife Rachel (Greenlee) Van Bibber had died. Jesse, his wife, and young son, Isaac Van Bibber, were buried in the Van Bibber-Smith Cemetery, on his farm. This cemetery was destroyed in later years.

In Mason County Court Records, there are several entries for Jesse Van Bibber. He served on several Juries for the county. In the Order Book, December 15 1818, application of Jonas Smith, for a road to Jesse Van Bibber's on the Rocky Fork Road of Thirteen Mile Creek, and thence to the public road on the northeast bank of the Great Kanawha (River), near Edward Greenlee. At a Court held October 19 1819, a petition for a road from the Court House to (Jesse) Van Bibber's Bridge.

Submitted by Anna Lutz --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
  Matthias VanBibber and Margaret Robinson
    Olive Boone VanBibber and Robert Keenan
      William Van Keenan Electra Caroline Grose

FAMILY OF ELECTRA CAROLINE GROSE KEENAN


Generation No. 1

        1. Electa Caroline Grose. She was the daughter of 2. John Grose and 3. Margaret "Peggy" Koontz. She married (1) William Van Keenan September 21, 1848 in Nicholas County, Virginia.


Generation No. 2

        2. John Grose, born 1797 in Pennsylvania. He was the son of 4. Samuel Grose and 5. Mary Gensel. He married 3. Margaret "Peggy" Koontz February 25, 1821 in Nicholas County, Virginia.
        3. Margaret "Peggy" Koontz, born 1802 in Virginia.
        
Children of John Grose and Margaret Koontz are:
  1. Electa Caroline Grose, married Willliam Van Keenan September 21, 1848.
  2. John Grose, married Caroline Jane Unknown.
  3. Strother Ben Grose, born November 29, 1824 in Nicholas Co., Va.; died August 22, 1906 in Clay Co., Va.; married (1) Eliza Virginia Perkins 1847; married (2) H. E. Green May 28, 1878 in Roane County, West Virginia.
  4. Francina Grose, born 1828 in Nicholas Co., Va.; married Addison Deitz June 05, 1856.
  5. Lorenzo Dow Grose, born 1832; married Elizabeth Fitzwater January 09, 1855.
  6. Octavia Grose1, born December 08, 1833 in Va.; died January 07, 1897 in Fayette Co., W.V.; married Isaiah Fitzwater December 08, 1852.
  7. Rhuema Grose, born Abt. 1836; married James Addison Johnson February 10, 1863.
  8. Austin Orvett Grose, born 1839.
  9. Virginia Ann Grose, born 1841; married William George Huffman November 01, 1888.
  10. Sarah Grose, born 1845; married Taylor Walker.

Generation No. 3

        1. Samuel Grose, born 1764 in Lancaster, Pa.; died 1819 in Nicholas County, Va.. He married Mary Gensel 1788 in Berks County, Pa..
        5. Mary Gensel, died in Nicholas County, Va..

Notes for Samuel Grose:

Samuel came to Nicholas Co in 1812-18. He was in Pendleton Co, Va. in the 1810 census with 8 sons and one daughter listed. Samuel was a saddler by trade. Samuel's estate was appraised 9-27-1820. Samuel was in Berks Co., Pa. in 1790. Will Probated 9-27-1820 Nicholas Co.
        
Children of Samuel Grose and Mary Gensel are:
  1. Jacob Grose, born 1789 in Pa.; died 1866; married Christina Life December 27, 1810.
  2. Henry Grose, born 1792 in Pa.; died December 16, 1896 in Bath Co., Va.; married Elizabeth Step September 16, 1814 in Bath Co., Va..
  3. Samuel A. Grose, born 1793 in Pa.; died January 11, 1873; married Julia Nancy Oliver Koontz September 07, 1815 in Bath County, Va..
  4. John Grose, born 1797 in Pennsylvania; married Margaret "Peggy" Koontz February 25, 1821 in Nicholas County, Virginia.
  5. William Grose, born October 04, 1799 in Pennsylvania; died January 27, 1883 in Nicholas Co., W.Va.; married Susanna Koontz June 09, 1818 in Nicholas County, Virginia.
  6. Mary Grose, born 1801 in Pendleton Co., Va.; died August 13, 1877 in Clay Co., W.V.; married William G. Fitzwater January 01, 1834.
  7. James S. Grose, born 1802 in Virginia; died 1885; married Dorothy Malcom December 07, 1826.
  8. Jefferson W. Grose, born May 05, 1805 in Virginia; died in Clay Co., W.V.; married (1) Mary Fitzwater February 02, 1826 in Nicholas County, Virginia; married (2) Elizabeth Fitzwater July 05, 1849.
  9. George Grose, born February 25, 1807; died 1904; married Elizabeth Brindle August 12, 1827.

Submitted by Janet Koch -- [email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

OBITUARIES:

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
    George Yoakum, Jr. and Mary Ann Maddy
      Washington Campbell Yoakum and Mary Elizabeth Tunstill
        William Tunstill Yoakum and Caroline P. McBride
          Samuel T. Yoakum and Fannie Johnson
            Carrie Yoakum and Ernest Malcolm Simmons

CARRIE SIMMONS RITES TUESDAY

Mrs. Carrie Simmons, 532 Michigan Ave., died Saturday evening at Cushing Memorial Hospital after a long period of invalidism.

Mrs. Simmons was born in Leavenworth June 29, 1886, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. S.T. Yoakum. Mr. Yoakum was a grocer here and also in Kansas City, Mo., until his death in 1927.

Mrs. Simmons received her education in the local public schools, and except for four years of residence in San Pedro, Calif., and one year in Potter, lived her entire life in this city.

She was a milliner in the William Small Dry Goods Co., and a worker in the YWCA.

She was married in Leavenworth May 5, 1921 to Ernest M. Simmons, a correctional officer at the U.S. Penitentiary until his retirement Feb. 1, 1952.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

Surviving besides her husband, Ernest M. Simmons of the home, are one son, Ernest Simmons, 303 Spring Garden, and four grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday at the Sexton Funeral Chapel. Dr. A. Willard Heimbeck, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Mt. Muncie Cemetery. The body is at the chapel.

The Leavenworth Times, Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas.

Submitted by Cindy Whiteman --
[email protected]
--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
    George Yoakum, Jr. and Mary Ann Maddy
      Washington Campbell Yoakum and Mary Elizabeth Tunstill
        William Tunstill Yoakum and Caroline P. McBride
          Samuel T. Yoakum and Fannie Johnson
            Carrie Yoakum and Ernest Malcolm Simmons
              Ernest Yoakum Simmons

ERNEST Y. SIMMONS

Ernest Yoakum Simmons
, a retired prison worker, died Tuesday, April 7, 1992, at Cushing Memorial Hospital. He had been in failing health since August and had been in the hospital since March 13, 1992. He was 70.

He was born Aug. 22, 1921, in Leavenworth, the son of Ernest M. and Carrie Johnson Simmons. He was a veteran of World War II, having enlisted in the Army July 3, 1942 at Fort Leavenworth. He served in the Pacific Theater and was discharged in 1945.

He worked at Kansas State Penitentiary for 36 years, retiring in 1986. He was a member of the AAAP.

Survivors include four daughter, Vicky Givens and Lenora Green, Leavenworth. Carole Frank, Lincoln Neb., and Cindy Spencer, Douglas; a son, Anthony Simmons, Camdenton, Mo.; 12 grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Davis Funeral Chapel.

Services will begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the chapel. Burial will be in Mount Munice Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the American Heart Association.

The Leavenworth Times, Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas.

Submitted by Cindy Whiteman --
[email protected]
--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Peter VanBebber and Ellinor VanBibber
    Jacob Van Bebber and Catherine Ann Guthrie
      Calvin Van Bebber and Berthena Van Bebber
        Thomas Isaac Van Bebber

FUNERAL RITES FOR TOM VAN BEBBER HELD YESTERDAY
Fisherman Drops Dead At His Cabin Friday Here


Funeral services were held yesterday morning at Jones Mortuary for Thomas I. Van Bebber, 65, well known Lakeport resident for the past twenty years, who died suddenly at his cabin Friday, shortly after the noon hour.

Although the deceased had not been in the best of health for a number of months and was a sufferer from a stomach ailment, heart trouble caused his passing.

Van Bebber had been sitting on the porch of his cabin prior to his death. He complained of dizziness and went into the house. His body was later found near his bed by Robert Lange, caretaker at Campers' Beach, where Van Bebber resided.

The deceased was a native of Missouri, born November 8, 1874. He came to California with his parents when a lad of four years of age. The family home was established in Mendocino county and Mr. Van Bebber resided at Hopland until he moved to Lakeport to engage in commercial fishing.

A brother Jake and a number of nieces and nephews of Willits survive.

Coroner L. J. Calahan held an inquest at the Russell parlors and the remains were taken to the Jones Mortuary Monday morning.

Interment was made in the family plot at Hopland.

Lake County Bee, Lakeport, California, Thursday, June 15, 1939, Page 5.
~~~~~

Information from Certificate of Death, State of California:
Place of death: Dist No. 1751, County of Lake, Lakeport, California.
Name: Thomas Isaac Van Bebber
Residence: Lakeport, California
Sex: Male; Race: White
Single / Married: No entry
Birth: Nov. 8, 1874
Age: 64 years 7 months 1 day
Trade: Fisherman
Birthplace: City unknown; State Missouri
Father: Calvin Van Bebber
Birthplace: City unknown; State of Missouri
Mother: Birthani Van Bibber
Birthplace: City unknown; State of Missouri
Length of residence: City of death: 18 years; in California 50 years
Informant: Edna Minton, Lakeport, Calif.
Removal to Hopland Calif. 6/14/39; Burial
Embalmer: Millicent B. Russell
Funeral director: Jones Mortuary, Lakeport, California
Date of death: June 9, 1939
Cause: Angina Pectoris; natural causes
Chas. A. Craig, M.D., Lakeport, Cal.
L. J. Calahan, Coroner, County of Lake
~~~~~

Additional information:

Obituary of Calvin Van Bebber, his father, was reported in the Van Bebber Pioneers E-Newsletter, January 2001, page 12.

Submitted by Ted Van Bebber --
[email protected]
--------------------

James VanBibber and Sarah Margaret Bradburn
  John W. VanBibber and Polly Jane Roe
    Timothy VanBibber and Dora Etta Shepard

TIMOTHY VAN BIBBER

Funeral services for Timothy Van Bibber, 72, of Quincy, Kentucky, who died Tuesday, August 10, 1982, were conducted at 2:00 p.m., Friday at the Roberson Funeral Home in South Shore, Ky., by Gary
Vaughn, minister. Burial was in Sunset Cemetery at Quincy, Ky.

Mr. Van Bibber was born Oct. 18, 1908 in Greenup County, Ky., a son of the late John and Polly Roe Van Bibber. He was a retired farmer and construction worker. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Etta Shepherd Van Bibber, a daughter, Mrs. Irene Bryan of Cincinnati, Ohio: three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Footnote: Tim's obituary was given to me for the submission to the VB newsletter. The name of the newspaper had been cut off. The full name of Tim's daughter is Clara Irene (VB) Bryan. His grandchildren are April Dawn (Bryan) Lay, Richard (Rick) Allen Bryan, Jr. and Rosa Mae (Bryan) Biretta. Tim's only great grandchild at the time of his death was Dawn Marie Bryan. Since his death, the following great grandchildren have been born: Bethany and Rachel Bryan; Christina Renee Lay; and Jessica Biretta, who all live in or near Cincinnati, Ohio.

Tim was also preceded in death by his brother, Carl Luther Van Bibber and sisters, Pearlie Mae (VB) Jacobs, Rosa Alma (VB) Fisher and Emma (VB) Bloomfield.

Submitted by Jean (Van Bibber) Murphy -- [email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

RECENT DEATHS:

John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
Miriam VanBibber and John Reynolds
  Minerva B. Reynolds and Philip Garland Todd
    Aletha Elizabeth Todd and Richard Ellis Putney
      Annette Todd Putney and Otis Adonijah Thayer
        Garland Todd Thayer and Gertrude L. Venable
          Garland Todd Thayer, Jr. and Clara Frances Shaver
            Annette Todd Thayer and Herbert Margerum West

ANNETTE THAYER WEST

Annette "Ann" Thayer West----New Canaan, Conn. died on June 20, 2001, at the Waveny Care Center after a long illness. She was 80 years old and had been a resident of New Canaan since 1954.

She was born in Charleston, W. Va., where her family played an important role in the steel industry and in the development of the Kanawha Valley. She was a daughter of Garland Todd Thayer, Jr and granddaughter of G. T. Thayer and Gertrude Venable Thayer. She graduated from Ashley Hall in
Charleston, S. C.

Mrs. West was a member of the Colonial Dames and the National Society - Daughters of the Barons of Runnemede, being 32nd in the right of descendency from baron William d'Albini, knight of Magna Charta legend. She was an original member of both the First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan and the New Canaan Field Club, and was also member of the country Club of New Canaan. Her passions were her family and gardening.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years, Herbert M. West, and by two daughters, Annette Thayer West of Salisbury, Conn., and Eleanor Pratt West of New Canaan. She is also survived by two sons, Herbert Thayer West and Christopher Zeph West, both of New Canaan; and by eight grandchildren. Additionally, she is survived by a brother, G. T. Thayer III of Old Lyme, Conn.

Arrangements have been made through the Hoyt Funeral Home. Services will be private. Memorial remembrances may be made to Waveny Care Center.

The Charleston Gazette, Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, Friday, June 22, 2001.

Submitted by Anna Lutz --
[email protected]
--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
    Isaac Yoakum and Mary Davis
      Aaron Alvice Yoakum and Lucinda Elizabeth Duke
        Euin Yoakum and Emily Jane Thomas
          John Franklin Yoakum and Mary Josephine Cheek
            Blanche B. Yoakum and Arthur F. Moore

BLANCHE B. MOORE

Blanch B. Moore, 93, Excelsior Springs, Mo., passed away Sunday, January 28, 2001, at Liberty Hospital. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, February 2, at Charter Funerals/Blue Ridge Chapter, 5000 Blue Ridge Cutoff; burial will be 1:30 p.m. in Cowgill Cemetery. Friends may call 10-11 a.m. Friday at the chapel. Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Hospital.

Blanche was born March 9, 1907, in Cowgill, Mo., and worked for Balls Clinic for 15 years in Excelsior Springs, Mo. She is survived by daughter, Peggy Marie Pence and son-in-law, Russen Pence, Jr. of Excelsior Springs, Mo; one brother, Jack Yoakum; grandchildren, Janet Neeley, Blue Spring, Mo., Pamela Johnson, Grain Valley, Mo., Russell Pence, Raytown, Mo., and Cynthia Clubine, Camden, Mo., 16 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

Arrangements by Charter Funerals.

Submitted by Earl Quintrell -- Winchester, TN
--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
    Isaac Yoakum and Mary Davis
      William Wylie Yoakum and Nancy Elizabeth Poff
        Pryor Lee Yoakum and Abby Gail Rowland
          Ernest Clyde Yoakum and Lena Wormsley

LENA YOAKUM

Lena Yoakum 96, of Excelsior Springs, Mo., formerly of Polo, Mo., died March 24, 2001 at Liberty Hospital.

She was married to Ernest Yoakum on Sept. 8, 1926, she was a homemaker and a member of Bethel Christian Union Church.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ernest in 1949; her parents, Thomas A. and Mary Teegarden Wormsley; 6 brothers and 1 sister.

She is survived by 2 sisters, Alma Nolker of Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Elinor Lilliech of Arnold, Mo.

Funeral Services will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday March 28, 2001 at the Bethel Christian Union Church in Polo, Mo. Burial will be at the Bethel Cemetery. Friends may call one hour before services.

Bailey Funeral Home in Polo is in Charge of the arrangements.

Submitted by Earl Quintrell -- Winchester, TN
--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
    William VanBebber and Elizabeth Barbee
      Martha Jane VanBebber and Franklin Lafayette Kincaid
        John Clayton Kincaid and Martha Elizabeth Yoakum
          Edith Estella Kincaid and Thomas Ovid Kelley
            Van C. Kelley and Geraldine Orr

--and--

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
    Isaac Yoakum and Mary Davis
      Moses Yoakum and Elizabeth Grimes
        James Benton Yoakum and Mary Ann Shumate
          Martha Elizabeth Yoakum and John Clayton Kincaid
            Edith Estella Kincaid and Thomas Ovid Kelley
              Van C. Kelley and Geraldine Orr

VAN C. KELLEY

Van C. Kelley, 93, of Richmond, Mo. died Saturday, March 24, 2001 at the Ray County, Memorial Hospital, Richmond, Mo.

He was born August 4, 1907 in Ray County, Mo. He married Geraldine Orr in 1928 in Ray County. He had farmed and worked at Lake City Arsenal. He retired from Kansas City Labor Union. He was preceded in death by this wife, Geraldine in September 1972; his parents, Thomas O. and Edith Kincaid Kelley and one sister, Alpha Yoakum.

He is survived by his daughter, Carol Griffing of Polo, 2 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Graveside services and burial will be Monday at 10 a.m., March 26, 2001 at the Richmond Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Richmond, Mo. Friends may call afternoon on Sunday at Bailey Funeral Home in Polo, Mo.

Bailey Funeral Home in Polo is in charge of the services.

Submitted by Earl Quintrell -- Winchester, TN
_____________________________________________________________________________________

RECENT BIRTHS:

John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
  Miriam VanBibber and John Reynolds
    Minerva B. Reynolds and Philip Garland Todd
      Aletha Elizabeth Todd and Richard Ellis Putney, Jr.
        Alexander Moseley Putney and Alberta Rebecca Littlepage
          Moseley Littlepage Putney, Sr. and Elizabeth Wrenshall Hemingway
            Moseley Littlepage Putney, Jr. and Virginia Barker Bickel
              Moseley Littlepage Putney, III and Laura Michelle Benson
                Henry Alexander Dalton Putney

Mose and Laura Putney would like to announce the birth of their new baby son, Henry Alexander Dalton Putney who was born on April 26, 2001 at 1:48 P.M. Henry was born at Norton's Hospital Women's Pavilion in downtown Louisville, Kentucky weighing in at 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20.5 inches long. Mother and son (6th great grandson of John and Chloe Van Bibber) are doing fine.

Submitted by Moseley "Mose" Putney --
[email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

MILITARY NEWS:

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  James VanBebber, Sr. and Hanna Hoover
    Mary Malinda VanBebber and Powell Hamilton Sharp

BOUNTY LAND FILE OF POWELL H. SHARP

State of Missouri - County of Clinton

On the 11
th day of April, 1855, personally appeared before me Winslow Turner, Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the County of Clinton, Powell H. Sharp, aged sixty two years, a resident of the County of Dekalb in the State of Missouri who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is the identical Powell H. Sharp who served as Lieutenant Colonel of the 1st Battalion in the Regiment Commanded by Colonel Collins in the Black Hawk War, that he volunteered at Carlinville, in Macoupin County, Illinois, on or about the first of June, A.D., 1832 for the term of three months and continued in actual service in said War for the term of seventy days and was honorably discharged at Fort Dixon in Illinois about the 1st day of September 1832 as will appear by the muster rolls of said company.

He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the Act granting additional bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the Military Service of the United States approved March 3, 1855. And refers to his former declaration made under Act of September 28, 1850 upon which he obtained a Land Warrant Number 47,776 for 80 acres, which he having legally transferred and disposed of, it is not within his power now to return. He further declares that he has not received a warrant for bounty land under any other Act of Congress nor made any application thereof, than the one above referred to under Act of September 28, 1850, upon which he obtained the said Land Warrant No. 47, 776 for 80 acres.


From the bounty land files of Powell H. Sharp

Submitted by Earl Quintrell -- Winchester, TN
--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
  John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
    Isaac VanBebber and Mary Martin
      Isaac C. VanBebber and Sarah McWilliams
        Louisa VanBebber and John Wesley Wilson
          Charley Monroe Wilson and Maggie Lee Ashton
            Joy Opal Wilson and Cleburn Monroe Brown
              Betty Jean Brown and Allen Lee Hawpe
                Gary Ray Hawpe

SERGEANT MAJOR HAWPE AWARDED MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL to

SERGEANT MAJOR GARY R. HAWPE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

For service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

For outstanding meritorious service while serving as Squadron Sergeant Major, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232, Marine Aircraft Group 11, 3d Marine Aircraft Wing, 1 Marine Expeditionary Force, from October 1996 to April 2001. During this period, Sergeant Major Hawpe performed his duties in an exemplary and highly professional manner. His superb leadership, inspiration and vision led the Red Devils to the forefront of Marine Aviation, while training and preparing for contingency operations in South West Asia and operations in the Western Pacific. His diligent efforts had a significant impact on the unparalleled high morale and esprit de corps felt by all the Marines and Sailors of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 232. Sergeant Major Hawpe's efforts directly contributed to the squadron receiving the Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for 1997, 1998, and 1999 and for the Squadron being recognized as the 1997 Commandant's Trophy winner as the Marine Squadron of the Year. During his tenure the Red Devils surpassed 86,000 mishap free flight hours, a record among active Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons. Sergeant Major Hawpe was the catalyst for the Squadron's two very successful deployments to the Western Pacific as part of the Unit Deployment Program along with numerous other squadron deployments and detachments in country. By setting the example, doing the job right the first time, and demanding the very best from all Marines, he invited and received only the best results from those he led. Sergeant Major Hawpe's untiring efforts to carry out his demanding tasks with unfailing good judgement, effectiveness, and total devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

For the President,

M.W. HAGEE
LIEUTENANT GENERAL, U.S. MARINE CORPS
COMMANDING OFFICER, 1 MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE
_____________________________________________________________________________________

REUNIONS:

The descendants of James Van Bibber and his two wives (Sarah Margaret Bradburn and Margaret Webb) will be holding their reunion on June 30, 2001 (Saturday) at the Greenup, Kentucky Lock and Dam Park. Lunch will start at noon time so please bring table service and food to share. All are welcome to attend. For further information contact Jean (Van Bibber) Murphy -- [email protected]

The Van Bever family reunion will be held on August 31
st & September 1, 2001 at the Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, Kentucky. This is the branch of the family that descends from George Van Beber and Mary Elizabeth Tinsley who settled in Harlan County, Kentucky in the 1840s. A portion of Harlan County were made into Josh Bell County in 1867, and eventually changed to Bell County in 1873. Many descendants of George and Mary use the name Van Bever and still live in the surrounding area. If you are interested in attending please contact Cindy Robinson -- [email protected]
_____________________________________________________________________________________

NOTICES:

Fellow Van Bibber researchers,

It is with sadness that I send you this message. I am going to have to take down the Van Bibber web page, at least in part and at least temporarily. Earthlink has purchased Zoomnet and is now limiting our home pages to 5 MB. Zoomnet allowed us 40 MB. I don't know exactly how many MB I used on Zoomnet, but I know it was not 5 MB.

I am seeking a place to store the newsletters, and the GEDCOM of the Van Bibber and Smith family, and other Van Bibber information, but until then I will have to limit my web space at the new URL. I would not even mind linking to another URL and uploading the excess of the old web page to the new one. However, I am looking for a freebie without advertising.

I really don't like the Roots Web format for GEDCOMs but I suppose it may have to do.

Do you have any suggestions for a large size free server to store my web page?

By the way, the new URL for what is left of the web page will be http://home.zoomnet.net/~blogan .

My e-mail address will remain unchanged.

Gary Hawpe will continue to send out the newsletter, but there will be no archived newsletters until I find a place to store them.

Bruce E. Logan Jr.
--------------------

Fellow Van Bibber Researchers,

I just checked the new web page and it is now online and working. I will be adding the current newsletters to the page as time permits and cleaning up the different pages. I see some are misaligned. Also, If you find a broken link please let me know about it.

I am considering offering a chat room at the web page. That is another reason I chose Nbci.com. Let me know if you have an interest in a weekly chat concerning the Van Bibber/Van Bebber family. That will probably determine whether or not I add a chat room.

http://members.nbci.com/bruce_logan

Bruce E. Logan Jr.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

QUERIES:

Pocahontas

Matthias Vanbibber and Margaret Robinson
  Felicity B. VanBibber and Moses Mann Hill
    George Washington Hill and Rebecca Jane Kendall
      Washington Webster Hill and Niza Catherine Barnett
        Rebecca Jane Hill and Jacob Cochran Samples
          Randall Hill Samples and Malinda Beth Jarrett
            Stephen Jarrett Samples

Van Bibber cousins:

The aforementioned lineage has led me to a June 25, 1972 article in the Charleston WV, State paper written by Frank. B. Hill. This article, although titled, "The West Virginia Hills," deals extensively with John Vanbibber, Matthias Vanbibber, and other members of the clan. In the text of this well written, but somewhat inaccurate piece, is a reference to Rebecca Jane Kendall (Hill) being the 6th great granddaughter of John Rolfe and Pocahontas. Although the famous couple had only one son, and he only
one offspring as well, I have been unable to document the missing generations, and thus my relationship. (if one exists). If anyone is familiar with this line and can provide help, I would be greatly appreciative.
Thanks.

Submitted by Steve Samples --
[email protected]
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I am searching for documentation that identifies the parents of John Yoakum who was married to Rachel Weaver. The information I have on John is that he was born about 1781 in Virginia and died April 9, 1848. I have no information on Rachel.

From two perspectives I find that John's father may have been either a John Yoakum b. 1754 in Greenbrier County, Virginia and d. 1791 at Yoachum's Station. Wife unknown. Or his father was a George Yoakum who was married to Martha Van Bebber nicknamed "Patty." She was born 1754 and died aft. 1819.

I do not know if either are correct and if so if I have their information written down accurately. Would appreciate any light shed on this and if any one has documentation they are willing to share with me, I would be grateful for that too.

I am so very confused!.

Thank you,

Kelly Sullivan
3717 East 34th Ave.
Spokane, Wa. 99223

Submitted by Kelly Sullivan --
[email protected]
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Henry VanBibber and Nancy E. Leak
  Thomas H. VanBibber and Sarah J. Leak
    Nancy Jessie VanBibber and James Knox Thrower
      Gladys Densel Thrower and David Homer Starr, Sr.
        David Homer Starr, Jr. and Margaret Mary Bussey

The bible our Aunt Nancy (Dad's sister) has in her living room is the only information we have on the Van Bibber line of our family. Bryan, who has been working on our family genealogy for over ten years now, opened the front cover while we were there for a party four years ago. I thought his eyes were going to pop out of his head. He shared the discovery on the spot. Later he shared more information and I have been hooked on the search ever since. I have been told there is a very fine line between a "hobby" and "mental illness." Sometimes, I am not sure which side of the line I am on.

If anyone has further information on our Van Bibber family both my brother and I would love for you to share it.

Your Cousins,

Submitted by Dean Starr --
[email protected] and Bryan Starr -- [email protected]
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I would appreciate any information on the descendants of Jacob and Catherine Ann Guthrie VanBebber of Claiborne County, TN - Linn County, MO. Does anyone have anything more about the family? Story type information would be great!

Blessings,

Submitted by Shirley Anderson --
[email protected] -- Texas
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When I was recently in Pocahontas, Randolph County, Arkansas I noticed the street running along side the county courthouse was named Van Bibber Street. Does anyone know the background for the naming of this street? Were there Van Bibbers that settled in this area?

Submitted by Elaine Blackman --
[email protected]
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Dear fellow investigators,

I am looking for family connection between Wilhemina van Bebber (1604-1684, Obermörter) on the one side. Her parents are Everhard van Bebber and Judith van Vuurden. Wilhemina was married with Johan van de Sandt (+1652).

And Gerrit/Gehard van Bebber on the other hand. He was born 1622 in Hönnepel or Obermörmter. He married in 1648 Gesken Lueb, called Moshövel.

Is there anyone who can help me?

Thank you in advance. With kind regards,

Jürgen Landgrebe

If you have information please contact Jack Coombs --
[email protected]
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On good roadmaps there is a small village marked "Van Bibber" at the southeastern corner of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Aberdeen, Maryland very near Route # 7. Does anyone know it's history?

Submitted by Vergil H. Ferm --
[email protected]
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SOUND OFF:

From:   
[email protected] (Bev Tout)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Hi Gary, I have just received the newsletter. You are doing an incredible job. You should be the editor of our local newspaper....it would become a favorite! Yours, Bev

From:  
[email protected] (Shane Allen)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Gary: Received your May edition of the Van Bibber Newsletter. Your work with this is brilliant. From an old Navy Recruiter, 1987-1990, hope that MC recruiting is being good to you and that you have a nice holiday with your family. Regards, Shane

From:  
[email protected] (Janna Lay)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Gary, I love the newsletter. Have you done any articles on any of the VanBebbers in my line that I may have missed? Thanks, Janna

From:  
[email protected] (Joe Payne)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Gary,
I want to thank you for your diligence in sending the newsletter to all of us who follow the VanBibber and Yoakum family history. The constant stories of the Boone/Vanbibber families continue to amaze me. Recorded stories make genealogy much more interesting. Again thanks for your hard work. Joe Payne

From:  
[email protected] (Donna Smith)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Gary,
I am so enjoying the VanBibber newsletter, learning so much family history. Thank you so much for your devotion. As always, Donna Hawkins Smith

From:  
[email protected] (Joan Bergbower)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Hello Gary,

It is all your fault that I have gotten absolutely nothing done in my life since last evening except --genealogy!!! I finished the first installment last night and did the next 2 so far and am printing out the last one as I type this. Your newsletters are wonderful..!! I have been doing genealogy for a long time and have not found a newsletter packed with more info than yours. I love the stories, that's what makes genealogy become history. Thank you so much -- Joan

From:  
[email protected] (Virginia Aldridge)
To:  
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

The May newsletter is great.. Good JOB -- Virginia

From:
[email protected] (Bryan Starr)
To:
[email protected] (Gary Hawpe)

Gary,

I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into the Van Bibber newsletter. Keep up the good work!
Thanks, Bryan
_____________________________________________________________________________________

The editor reserves the right to edit contributions to the newsletter.
Editor of the Van Bibber Pioneers Electronic Newsletter:
Gary R. Hawpe --
[email protected]
(Owner of the Van Bibber FTM database - 39,119 names)