Duchess SW Domain

One of our southern Oklahoma readers jokingly asked at 4:50 a.m. this Monday morning, "Where is my newspaper?"

Well! LOL … Our reply was at that ungodly hour of the morn, "It has not been thrown yet!"

We are enjoying this beautiful Fall mountain weather here in the SW Rockies of Colorado before the real cold snow head this way.

I think I heard, read that we have something coming this way towards the end of the mid-week and the temperatures will be dropping down to the 30s by the weekend. Bring it on!

That NW Okie has been dusting off and cleaning up some of her genealogy files & photos. I can not seem to get her away long enough to even feed me at my designated feeding times. I have to get right in her face, nose-to-nose at times. NW Okie just smiles and laughs at me, then goes about doing what she is doing … before she puts down the computer and gets up to give this Duchess pug some attention and especially FOOD!

Have any of you four-legged creatures out there had trouble getting your humans lined out and under control? It is a "dogs life" … isn't it?!

Happy Veterans Day to ALL Veterans of ALL Wars! Thanks for everything you sacrifice and do for US ALL!
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Nickel/McClure Mansion Restoration

We have heard from the main source that the Nickel/McClure mansion has found a buyer that is interested in restoring it back to it's pre-1960 grandeur of the Old Nickel Mansion on the Hill, in Alva, Oklahoma. Does anyone out there have old photos of the house, Nickel family, etc… that could help Mark Bellah restore his antique of his childhood dreams?

Mark says, "Hello … I have enjoyed perusing your website for years and would like to say great job!, and in the same breath ask for your help. I am a native to Alva, and have owned the Nite Lite Club here for 24 years. "I have recently purchased the antique of my childhood dreams, the McClure mansion for restoration. It will be my residence upon completion, and will be furnished as close to the original Nickel home as I acquire information and history along the way.

"I am looking for any/all history, stories, pictures, etc. pertaining to the mansion pre-1960. I have worked months on tracking the George Nickel family to Los Angeles, CA looking for any descendants or information with most being dead ends.

"Any pictures of George Nickel and family would be welcomed as we will be having an artist paint portraits of the last three owners to be on display. The only picture I have ever seen of G. E. Nickel was on your site. I have never seen pictures of Lena his wife or his two daughters, or info on the artist that lived there with the family.

"The mansion has recently been nominated to the U.S. registry, and has made the front page the October 2009 issue of Preservation Oklahoma News as well as been on the Oklahoma's most endangered places list.

"I thought if anyone new of, or where to get this information you would be the one! I would appreciate any help you might be able to offer. Thank you very much."
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George Nickel Family Restoration Continues

Is this photo on the left part of the Nickels family? Notice at the top of the photo lightly, faded and scrawled in pencil is the name "Simple Nickols." Did someone just misspell the name "Nickels?"Could "Simple" be the "S" in Lena's name? Was my grandmother (Constance Warwick McGill) friends of this "Simple Nickols?" Why was this photo amongst my grandmother's old photos? Lots of unanswered questions to unravel! Can you help us?

Here is what Mark Bellah (Email: markebel@swbell.net) says, "The picture of Simple Nickols that you sent is very interesting in that if you look closely the O in nickols almost looks like an E that almost closed.

Mark goes on to say, "Makes you wonder if maybe that was either Lena or Muriel. Im sure there are descendants somewhere that could fill all the blanks in if I could ever find them. Good find though, keep me posted!"

"From the research I have done George and Lena had only 1 daughter Muriel, she was born 1897 or 1898, Leona was their adopted daughter about the same age. Justine Harms was his niece that lived with them for quite a few years here and quite possibly moved with them to Ca in 1931…ish. Most records indicate they moved to Los Angeles. However, I have found a tidbit from San Francisco, also … but no date.

"I think I have traced the death of Muriel to Franklin, Arkansas 1949, unmarried or changed her name back to Nickel. George died in Los Angeles, I believe, in 1941. I have found no info on Lena other than her middle initial is S.

"There was a story that Lena had run over a child in front of the mansion in the early 1900's resulting in his/her death that I have been researching also.
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Singer Treadle Machines

From last weeks newsletter Floyd mentions and asks, "Hey, Linda, just how did you like using this machine? I have a Singer model. Though, I did look it up in the past, that is a 1909 version of the machine. I bought this some 20+ years ago and refinished the cabinet. I have the instruction booklet along with all the attachments with the exception of one screw driver, largest one of the three.

"This baby rules and I have used it in the past to not just sew regular materials, but upholstery fabric. I took a class on re-upholstery many years ago and used this machine to sew all the materials for a channel back chair. I still have this chair and my son has given dibs on this chair. Its covered in a light blue suede material and is in great condition.

"I'm now wanting to sale this machine as it is only now taking up space in my home. But I did have a good time using this machine in the past and I've used it since. Love those shuttlecocks. LOL…"
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Treadling Tip On A Singer

Nola Wilkerson says, "The way I learned to treadle … at home and at school … was to put one foot (toe part) toward top of treadle on one side, the other foot toward the bottom, then push with first one foot, then the other. Like stepping with the toe part of your foot: left/right,left/right.

"Putting both feet, or either foot, on the treadle with instep in the middle seems to me would be "murder" on your feet and legs. I never used the heels at all. Try it and let me know how it works! If you get that machine going backward instead of forward, it immediately breaks the thread; and, if I remember correctly, I think it breaks the needle, too."
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Dust Bowl Book

There is another "Dust Bowl" news article out of the New York Times that one of our readers shared with us. It is Blowin' In the Wind, by JESSICA BRUDER -- about two young adult histories and a graphic novel about the worst ecological disaster in American history.

It begins, “Years of Dust: The Story of the Dust Bowl,” Albert Marrin’s engrossing account of what was arguably the worst ecological disaster in American history. When a severe drought struck the Midwest in 1931, farmers had been churning up the Great Plains for more than half a century. Without native grasses to anchor the topsoil, fields crumbled to dust. Millions of acres of arable land were swept away in black blizzards. Hungry families headed west, pinning their hopes on California. Dust blew so far east, it settled on the White House lawn.

The article also mentions, "Marrin’s writing is particularly evocative when he turns an anthropological eye to the 2.5 million migrants — the so-called “Okies” and “tin-can tourists” — who were driven from their homes and became “refugees in their own land.”"

“Years of Dust” also puts young readers in the shoes of Dust Bowl survivors with heartbreaking photos that focus on children: three boys in overalls crammed into the backseat of a car in Muskogee County, Okla.; a little girl holding her mother’s hand as they step over a drainage ditch in a California squatter camp.

The book’s final chapter, “Future Dust Bowls,” warns readers about man-made environmental disasters on the horizon, including desertification in China and the Amazon. This section is invaluable; it links the Dust Bowl to ­present-day problems.
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MORE … History of Highland County Virginia

Biographic paragraphs taken from the book, A History of Highland County Virginia, Chapter XXIII, page 223, gives us some insight into the families and particular mention of the Highland Men of more or less prominence.

Such as…

John Bradshaw, son of the pioneer, was county surveyor eighteen years and was also a veteran teacher, a number of persons of some prominence being his pupils. He wrote the will of John Graham, which, through no fault of his, led to a noted lawsuit. Eighteen hours of rigid cross-examination failed to bring out any flaw in his testimony. His son, Captain Robert H., had a promising career cut short by his death at Port Republic.

Thomas Brown—Tomaso Bruno in Italian—merits mention as our only pioneer of that nationality. He is said to have been a sea captain in the War of 1812, about which time he came to America. He lived a while near the city of Washington.

Andrew H. Byrd, the legislative father of Highland County, served twelve years in the House of Delegates. His son, John T., was in the legislature one term, but declined a renomination. In the great war, he served with much ability as a leader of Confederate cavalry. Prior thereto he was a major of militia. As a farmer, he is one of Highland's best. His sons, Clifton E., Adam M., and H. Houston, are graduates of the University of Virginia, and all are in professional life, the last named being the present Commonwealth's Attorney of Bath.

The father and paternal grandfather of the pioneer Campbell were Presbyterian divines. His son Thomas possessed fine mathematical ability and was the first surveyor of Highland. Austin W. was one of its best read citizens and perhaps the first one to join the Masonic Order. Walter P., now engaged in the real estate business at Roanoke, was Commissioner of the Revenue for 21 years. Still other members of the connection have held positions of honor and trust.

Cornelius Colaw was a justice of the war period. His son, John M., received the Master's degree from Dickinson College in 1892, and after taking his Bachelor's degree from the same college studied law at the University of Virginia. For three years he was principal of the Monterey High School. Though an active attorney, Mr. Colaw has cultivated his strong mathematical gift. He is a member of the American Mathematical Society, a frequent contributor to mathematical journals, and the author of mathematical textbooks.

Collingwood A. Dickson, a well-read merchant of Trimble, is a son of General Sir Collingwood Dickson of the British Army.

William W. Fleming, a native of Nova Scotia, came to Highland shortly before the formation of the county. He was a man of strong intellect cultivated by constant reading. His personality was felt in every phase of public enterprise, and in particular he was a sturdy friend to the cause of education. He was recognized as an honest, upright, and intelligent citizen.

NOW … This Highland County Gentleman is of particular interest to this NW Okie, because … This is the same Captain David Gwin that my grandmother Constance Warwick McGill did her research on for her DAR certificate. Captain David Gwin, a wealthy landowner of Jackson's River, was a steadfast soldier in the wars with the Indians and British. He was one of the men who went to the relief of the Wilson family, and his military career continued until the close of the Revolution.

Jacob Hevener, Jr., was a wealthy and prosperous stockgrower of Crabbottom, as have been his sons also. Benjamin H. Hiner graduated in law in 1892, but even before his admission to the bar he was nominated as Prosecuting Attorney of Pendleton, holding that office eight years. In 1908 he was a candidate for Congress, and though defeated he ran ahead of his ticket by 1,500 votes. Mr. Hiner is a very active attorney.

The Hull family, particularly, Peter Hull/Hohl, is another ancestor of NW Okie that finds its way into the Gwin and Warwick families around "Crab bottom." The Hull family was very prominent in our early annals. The pioneer himself was a man of large means for his day. Peter, his oldest son, increased the estate, owning a large portion of the Crab bottom, his possessions in 1818 including 16 slaves, 19 horses, 43 cows, and 60 sheep. He was an officer in the Revolution, a colonel of militia subsequent thereto, and a legislator also. He was very influential, but also domineering. Major Peter Hull, his son, lived at McDowell, where he was a heavy landholder. He also sat in the Legislature and held various local offices. This branch of the Hull family is locally extinct in the male line. The late Joseph, a well-to-do farmer and upright citizen, is kindly remembered by his associates.

John Sitlington, son-in-law to Colonel Peter Hull, was a large landowner and cattleman, first in Crabbottom and afterward at McDowell. He was also in local public life.

Lucius H. Stephenson took up the study of law at Lexington in 1859, and practiced his profession at Monterey until his death in 1911. He was Commonwealth's Attorney 26 consecutive years, a Visitor of the Virginia Military Institute, and a Director of the National Valley Bank of Staunton. He was also an incorporator and promoter of the Citizens' Bank of Highland. Mr. Stephenson was not only an energetic, painstaking, and successful attorney, but a prosperous man of business. He acquired large possessions and during his long and active life he wielded a great influence among his fellow citizens. In matters of local history he was exceptionally well informed. -- For more on A History of Highland county Virginia Click this link.
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Classification of Highland County Virginia Families

A complete history of a group-family should cover the following items: the name of the pioneer, the full maiden name of the wife, the national derivation of both man and wife, the place that the couple moved from, the names of their descendants in like manner, generation by generation, including the persons marrying into the family; also dates of birth, marriage, and death, and facts as to residence, occupation, civil and military service, and other matters of interest.

But the annals of Highland reach back a century and two-thirds. Private family records, where they exist at all, are fragmentary. Until 1853, such public records as will be of help are the packages of marriage bonds that have not been lost, the generally incomplete mention afforded by wills, and the very casual shreds of information found in deed books and county order books.

As to letters written during the first century of Highland, they are very rare. As to book publications bearing on our local family history, they afford little aid. As to the local newspaper, its age is too recent. The written sources of information are invaluable, so far as they go, but they do not go far enough.
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Highland County Virginia Pioneers

The following outline sketch of PIONEER and SUB-PIONEER families came from the book, "A History of Highland County Virginia." I have marked two main paternal ancestors of my family lineage below with double-asterisks (**). Actually, I have run across most of the surnames below spread throughout my paternal family tree.

We now present lists of "Pioneer" and "Sub-Pioneer" families. Following each surname are the following particulars, so far as our information permits: 1. The given name of the settler; 2. His residence before coming here; 3. The year in which we find the first mention of his being here; 4. The place of his settlement; 5. The section of the county in which his descendants in the male line are chiefly or wholly found.

* Arbogast. Michael - 1766 - CB (W. H. Arbogast's) - CB and Mry.
* Armstrong. John and William - Loudoun - 1794 - BP, 1 mile S. of D Hill - upper BP, CP, and JR.
* Beathe. Joseph - 1778 - Crab Run - McD.
* Benson. George -1776 - CP, Benson's Run - lower CP.
* Benson. Mathias - 1787 - Dry Br. - V'pool.
* Beverage. John - N. J.? - 1780 - h'd of SC - SC and Mry.
* Bird. John - Germany - 1780c - Big BC, n. Valley Center - BC and Mry.
* Blagg. William - Albemarle - 1780 - 1 mile NW. of D Hill same locality.
* Bodkin. Richard - 1746 - BP, 4 miles S. of McD. - upper BP and CP and Mry.
* Bradshaw. James - England - 1770c - BP, n. Poverty - same locality and McD.
* Briscoe. Isaac - 1798c - Little BC n. Naples - same locality.
* Bussard. Rudolph - Penna. - 1796c - CB, Wimer Run - BV and Mry.
* Campbell. Alexander - Md. - 1797 - BC, mouth of Campbell Run - BC and Mry.
* Chestnut. William - 1781 - BC, n. Valley Center - same locality.
* Colaw. Frederick - Penna. - 1799 - CB, Wimer Run - same locality and Mry.
* Cunningham. Robert - 1761 - CB, n. New H. - Mry.
* Curry. Richard - Ireland - 1782c - BC, n. Bath line - n. McD.
* Davis. Paschal - Penna. - 1793 - CP, Benson Run - Davis Run.
* Devericks. Thomas - 1766 . H'waters - same locality.
* Douglas. Thomas - 1781 - Crab Run - upper BP.
* Ervine. Benjamin - Ireland - 1800c - BC, n. Mill Gap - McD.
* Ervine. William - Rkm. - 1815c - upper CP - same locality and McD.
* Evick. George - Pdn. - 1784 - SC - McD.
* Fleisher. Peter - Germany - 1765 - SB, at Pdn. line - same locality, Meadowdale, and BP.
* Fox. Michael - 1792c - CB, upper Wimer Run - same locality BV, and Mry.
* Gibson. Samuel - Albemarle - 1810c - V'pool Gap - same locality and Mry.
* Graham. Robert - Aug. - 1752c - BP, 2 miles above Clover Cr. - same locality.
* Gum. John - 1766 - CB, Frank's Run - B. Dist. and SC.
* Gum. Adam - CB - B. Dist.
** Gwin. David - Aug. - 1780 - JR, 1 mile from Bath line - BV.
* Gwin. Joseph - Aug. - 1781 - lower CP - same locality.
* Halterman. Charles - Germany - 1786 - SC - same locality.
* Hevener. Jacob - Pdn. - 1794 - H'town - CB and Mry.
* Hevener. John - Pdn. - 1815c - upper CB - same locality and Mry.
* Hicklin. John - 1756 - BP, below Clover Cr. - same locality.
* Hicks. John - 1810c ? - BP, 3 miles above McD. - BV.
* Hidy. John - 1800c - lower CB - same locality.
* Hiner. John - Shen. - 1775 - Pdn. line, NE. of D Hill - all districts.
* Hodge. John - England - 1805c - upper Shaw's F'k - same locality.
** Hull. Peter - Aug. - 1765 - middle CB - same locality and upper JR.
* Jack. John - 1812c - Crab Run - CB.
* Johns. Isaac - N. J. - 1785c - lower Shaw's F'k - same locality.
* Jones. (A) Henry - N. Y. - 1795 - h'd of CP - all districts.
* Jones. (B) James? - 1795c - h'd of SC - Mry.
* Jordan. John - 1766 - CP, n. Palo Alto - CB and n. Mry.
* Kelly. William - 1810c? - Dry Br. - same locality.
* Killingsworth. Richard - 1782 - BP Mn - same locality.
* Kinkead. Thomas - Ky. - 1800c - middle CB - same locality.
* Lantz. Bernard - before 1766 - CB, Frank's Run - lower SB.
* Lightner. Adam - Penna. - 1790c - BC, n. Bath line - same locality.
* Lockridge. Andrew - Aug. - 1774 - BP, below Poverty - same locality.
* Malcomb. Joseph - 1752c - BP, above Clover Cr. - BP, above McD.
* Matheny. David - 1790c - BC, n. Mill Gap - same locality and Mry.
* McAllister. Thomas - 1800c? - BV - same locality.
* McCoy. John - Aug. - 1773 - 1 mile S. of D Hill - same locality.
* McCrea. Robert - 1790c - upper BP Mn - same locality.
* McGlaughlin. John - 1794c - JR, n. Pinckney - same locality.
* McNulty. John - Ireland - 1810c - JR, above V'pool - CB and McD.
* Mullenax. John - 1781 - lower CB - CB and Alleghany Valley.
* Nicholas. George - 1770 - FW - CB.
* Peck. Garrett - 1782c - SC, above FW - n. Mry.
* Pullin. Loftus - 1746 - BP, 1 mile above Clover Cr. - BP and Mry.
* Ralston. Samuel - Aug.? - 1815c - BP, 3 miles NW. of McD. all districts.
* Rider. William - 1780 - BC, n. Valley Center - same locality.
* Samples. John - Ky. - 1804 - h'd of SC - same locality.
* Seybert. Henry - Pdn. 1775c - SC - same locality.
* Siron. John - Penna. - 1792c - BP, Siron's Mill - upper BP.
* Slaven. John - Ireland - 1775c - Meadowdale - same locality, CB, and Mry.
* Stephenson. James - Penna. - 1790c - JR, above V'pool - all districts.
* Steuart. William - Scotland - 1755c - mouth of Shaw's F'k CP and BP.
* Townsend. Ezekiel? - 1780 - Little BC, n. Bath line - same locality.
* Trimble. James - Scotland - 1797 - SC, n. Mry. - around Mry.
* Wade. John - Md. - 1780 - BC, n. Green Hill - BC.
* Wagoner. Christian - 1772 - CB, Frank's Run - CB and SC.
* White. John - Germany - 1785c - lower CB - SC.
* Wiley. Robert - 1773 - Dry Br. - lower JR and BC.
* Wilson. William and Samuel - Aug. - 1758 - D Hill - all districts.
* Wooddell. John - 1830 - BP - n. D Hill.
* Woods. Samuel - Albemarle - 1800c - BC, n. Green Hill - same locality and V'pool.

Sub-Pioneers

* Alexander. John W. -R'bridge - 1856 - BP, 1 mile S. of McD. same locality.
* Brown. (B) Thomas - 1833 - BV - n. Bolar.
* Chew. Ezekiel - 1820c - CB, Frank's Run - same locality.
* Cobb. (A) John A. - Buckingham - 1849c - Little Crab Run - JR.
* Corrigan. Michael - Ireland - 1855c - JR, n. Pny.
* Deihl. Amos - Frederick - 1855c - CP, above turnpike ford same locality.
* Eagle. Christian - Aug. - 1825 - n. D Hill - same locality.
* Fisher. James - Pdn. - 1856 - CB, n. H'town - n. New H.
* Fleming. William W. - Nova Scotia - 1845c - Mry. - same locality.
* Gilmer. Samuel - Penna. - 1826 - BC, n. Valley Center - same locality.
* Griffen. William - N. Y. - 1815c - JR, n, Bath line - n. Fny.
* Hansel. Charles W. - Bath - 1840c - lower CB - McD. and Mry.
* Helms. James - Rkm. - 1834c - BP, below Clover Cr. - same locality.
* Hinegarner. Godlove - 1830 - JR - same locality.
* Hook. Robert S. - Rkm. - 1825 - CP, n. Vilna - same locality and McD.
* Houlihan. Michael - Ireland - 1858c - JR, n. Pny. - same locality.
* Hupinan. Peter - Aug. 1835 - lower BP - same locality.
* Keister. William R. - Pdn. - 1845c - BP, n. McKendree - same locality.
* Kramer. Conrad - Aug. - CB - same locality.
* Lamb. John - Aug. - 1830c - 2 miles NW. of McD. - same locality.
* Lunsford. John - 1800c - Alleg. Mtn., n. pike - Mry.
* Maloy. Patrick - Ireland - Davis Run - same locality.
* Marshall. William - Hardy - 1846 - lower CB - same locality.
* Masters. Andrew M. - Pdn. - 1850c - n. McD. - same locality.
* Mauzy. David L. - Rkm. - 1850c - middle CB - CB.
* Michael. John - Aug. - 1825c? - n. Palo Alto - BP.
* Newman. Jacob - Shen. - 1845c - CB, Wimer Run - same locality.
* Price. Townsend - Rkm. - 1856 - BP, n. McKendree - same locality.
* Revercomb. George - Aug. - 1830 - lower BP - n. Poverty.
* Reynolds. Stephen J. - Aug. - 1850 - H'waters - same locality.
* Shumate. Augustus - Rkm. - 1849 - Mry. - all districts.
* Sipe. John E. and William A. - Rkm. - 1854 and 1856 - SC same locality.
* Siple. Joel and George - Shen. - 1834 - n. D Hill - McD.
* Strathy. Wilmot - Scotland - 1855c - unlocated - SC.
* Sullenberger. Samuel - Penna. - 1820c - New H. - Mry.
* Swecker. Benjamin - Rkm. - 1845c - CB, Frank's Run - CB.
* Swope. Peter - Aug. - 1848 - CP, later, D Hill - lower BP.
* Terry. James - Louisa - 1819c - BC, n. Mill Gap - JR and BC.
* Vance. Benjamin - Aug. - 1846 - BP, at Davis Run - same locality.
* Wees. Haman - Foca. - Middle Mn. - same locality.
* Whistleman. George - 1830c - BP Mn, n. Palo Alto - n. McD.
* Whitelaw. Alexander - Orange - 1845c - Mry.
* Will. William W. - 1844c - CB, Wimer Run - same locality.
* Wilson. John - Lewis - 1840c - CP, at turnpike ford - same locality.
* Wright. Thomas - Bath - 1815c - lower BP - same locality.
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Rockbridge County Virginia & Davy Crockett

In the book about Rockbridge County, Virginia we found this interesting story about Davy Crockett. You do remember Davy Crockett, don't you?

As the story goes … "The father of Davy Crockett kept a drover's stand on the road from Abingdon, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. Jacob Siler, a German, was moving to Rockbridge with a drove of cattle, and hired Davy, then a boy and very poor, to help drive the cattle to the new home, three miles from the Natural Bridge.

"Davy was treated well and paid five or six dollars. Siler coaxed the boy to stay, and he remained about five weeks, although distressed at being put in the position of disobeying his father. Then three wagons, belonging to Dunn, who knew the Crocketts, came along.

"The drivers promised to take Davy home if he would join them at daybreak at a tavern seven miles ahead, and also promised to protect him if he were pursued. The boy got up at three o'clock in the morning and walked in eight inches of snow to the tavern, arriving in time."
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