Memory Thief

My grandmother has dementia. It's been a slow progression over the last 10 years. It started with mild memory confusion, forgetting a name or date, mostly short term memory loss. I haven't had the opportunity to see her very often over the last 7 years as I lived a long distance from her, but each time I was in town to visit I could see her slipping further and further away. I was lucky because each time she always knew who I was and we'd enjoy our long chats about family history and life in general. She and my grandfather were the ones who introduced me to genealogy when I was in high school. She always had such wonderful stories, and she was always willing to take the time to answer all my questions and share all she knew.

One of my favorite things were these large scrapbooks she'd been keeping for many years. It was full of old art work and photos of her life. She wanted to be a fashion artist for the newspapers and magazines, back before they used photography for all the clothing ads. So she had a wonderful collection of fashion artwork from the print ads as well as her own drawings. I remember so vividly the day she pulled out these large black scrapbooks and cracked open the book to show me. I was mesmerized by each page. It was as if I could see every wish and dream she had as a young girl all laid out before me.

While growing up she lived a state away and had a big artistic job that took her to Italy. She painted tile. She'd create these beautiful murals. She was glamorous. She wore black liquid eyeliner and always smelled of roses. I can't smell rose water today without thinking of her. She wore silk blouses and could flirt with the best of them. Oh and her laugh! It was deep and rich and bubbled up from within her.

In high school she moved to our state and lived about 20 minutes away. She still painted tile and shared a studio space with my mother. I saw her often and loved it. I'd go spend the night at her house, especially those days when I just needed a break from my siblings. She was always so welcoming. She'd make eggs and cheese danish for breakfast and watch movies late into the evening, but always took a bath before she went to bed.

We came to visit our family this weekend, and yesterday my aunt brought her over to visit. She walked in withthe assistance of her walker, looking thin and frail, yet she was still wearing her black eye liner. Her hair a mixture of black and grey. She looked right at me and smiled. "Hello," she said as her eyes scanned the room. "There are so many people here," she continued. My aunt put her arm around her shoulders and asked if she recognized everyone, to which my grandmother said no.

She looked right at me and didn't recognize me. My heart was breaking. I had been warned. I knew what to expect and I wasn't angry, just terribly sad to see this women who was so full of life, with so many stories to tell, so confused.

My aunt said, "This is your granddaughter, Heidi."

"She is? Heidi?" I could see her struggling throuh the cloudy haze her memories are hidden behind and then she smiled. "Heidi," she says more confidently. "How long has it been since I saw you?"

Over the next few hours she settled in and after a few awkward moments I believe she started to remember me. My hubby took our kids and their cousins outside to the pool and I stayed with my grandmother. She needs someone with her at all times or she gets paranoid, but I was glad to do it. I wanted to memorize every thing I could. I wanted to look at her face, her hands and into her eyes. I knew the grandmother I knew was inside this frail shell, and I knew I may never see her again, but instead of mourning that, I wanted to enjoy every moment of our conversation, even if she asked me the same questions over and over again. I made her lunch and enjoyed watching her eat it. I sat beside her and talked about life and for a bit she had some really lucid moments.

She told me stories of her childhood...all stories I had already heard, but I stored away her voice and the way she laughed. The laugh hasn't changed at a bit. She spoke of her brother and how lucky and fortunate she felt she had been through her life. She couldn't remember how many daughters she had, but she remembered her summers on the island her grandparents owned playing with her cousins.

She drank coffee and then asked why no one had fed her lunch yet. We reminded her she'd eaten a tuna sandwich with apples and grapes and she said, "I did?" Then she asked for a piece of toast, which she ate in the same lady-like manner I always attributed to my grandmother.

When it was time to leave I hugged her as tight as I felt her frail body could handle and told her I loved her. She flirted with my husband and I smiled because she was showing her true nature yet again.

When my aunt returned home after dropping her off she told me, before even pulling out of the driveway, my grandmother turned to my aunt and said, "You have such wonderful friends. That couple, they were so lovely. You've known them for a long time, haven't you?"

My aunt smiled and nodded. "Yes, Mom, I've known them a very long time."

Getting to Know...Arthur Henry Kimple

Arthur Henry Kimple was the son of Mary L. McCaskey and William L. Kimple, and brother of my Gr Grandmother Esther "Bobbe" Kimple (Minnigh).

Arthur Henry Kimple born 11/28/1892

I don't know much about Arthur yet, but there is quite the mystery beginning to unfold.

Arthur was 13 years old when Bobbe was born, so he was quite a bit older then her.

He married Mildred Amelia Prescott on 9/7/1923 in Wentworth, Ontario. Mildred was from Canada.

Arthur Henry Kimple

Arthur and Mildred Kimple

Recently my wonderful Aunt has taken the time to scan in photos my Grandfather had and found out that Arthur had a son named Lloyd (Loyd). Yet from the census records I've reviewed Arthur and Mildred had no children listed as living with them.

Bobbe holding Arthur's son Lloyd

Mary Kimple, Bobbe Kimple and 

William Kimple holding Arthur's son Lloyd

Based on these photos...he grew up to be a grown man.

Arthur Kimple and son Lloyd

The plot thickens...

The 1920 census...Arthur is 27 years old and living at home and he's listed as married. Married!!

He didn't marry Mildred for 3 more years. (I have the marriage certificate to prove it.)

So why in 1920 is he listed as married but living with his parents and sister? Where's his wife?

After a bit a searching I found a Lloyd H. Kimple born 1919 and his mother's name was Mary E. Yohe (Kimple). In 1920 she is living with her parents and her 1 year old son Lloyd. Census says she's been married for a year.

By the 1930 Census Mary E. Yohe (Kimple) is still living with her parents Frank E and Margaret J Yohe and her now 11 year old son Lloyd....but now she's listed as a widow.

We know that Arthur H Kimple is very much alive in 1930, so either this is the wrong match...or it was easier to call herself a widow. Were Arthur and Mary ever divorced?

Arthur was a mechanic. In the 1940 census he was unemployed for 30 months and shortly after in 1941 his father William Kimple died of stroke. Mary L. Kimple his mother sold the house and moved. The 1945 Florida Population Census shows her living in Florida with her son Arthur.

Then in 1946 Arthur and Mildred divorce in Osceola, FL.

I still can't find any marriage records for Mary E. Yohe (Kimple)...there is much more to uncover here.

Getting To Know Jane Theresa Adams

I never had the privilege of meeting my grandmother, Jane Theresa Adams...she passed away a few weeks after my older brother was born.

She was born on June 9, 1930 in San Francisco, CA. She was adopted by Miner Barnes Adams (b. 4/9/1899 in Mt. Vernon, NY / d. 5/17/1969 in Palo Alto, CA) and Honor Jane Boland Adams (b. 12/22/1900 in San Francisco,CA / d. 1/3/1988 in CA)...everyone called Honor "Ben". Yet no one can tell me why. Hmmm??

Miner and Ben had a daughter Nancy Ruth Adams (b. 12/20/1926 d. 5/24/1993). They had two other children that I have evidence of...both died at birth. Judy Adams on 11/29/1928 in Palo Alto, CA and John Adams on 2/20/1930 in Palo Alto, CA.

(left to right: Amelia Fries Beyl, Honor "Ben" Boland Adams, Ernie Beyl, Jane Adams, Jeff Beyl, Roxanne Minnigh, Joseph Beyl, Janet Burns Minnigh and Robert Minnigh)

Now what I find interesting...is that Miner and Honor were preparing for a baby to be born in February of 1930 (if that was full-term) and yet my grandmother was born in early June in 1930. That's only a little over 3 months. Adoptions usually took longer than that. So either my grandmother Jane wasn't adopted immediately after birth OR Miner and Honor knew the birth mother perhaps??

Growing up there were only a few things I knew about her...

1. She was adopted.
2. She played the piano.
3. She'd been married twice and divorced twice.
4. She was beautiful.
5. She died of cancer.
6. I supposedly resemble her.

I don't remember seeing pictures of her growing up. I mourned her absence in my life. Maybe it was easier to idolize someone who wasn't there. But I did miss her. I use to talk to her late at night when I was trying to work out some adolescent problem...thinking she would have the answers. 

Jane Theresa Adams

(I LOVE this dress. I even have a pair of shoes just like the ones she's wearing)

Jane was always a mystery.

My mom met my dad when they were just teenagers so she has been a huge help in filling in some of the blanks. 

I may never know Jane's entire story...and that's truly a tragedy. She was given up for adoption and brought into a family who from all appearances loved her. I believe they did. But I also think, from all I've been told, that Jane also had a darkness to her....a pain that was deep. 

After pestering my dad a bit, he finally sent me some photos of Jane last March. I was coming home from a business trip in Chicago and there was a large envelope from my dad and inside were a handful of B&W photos of Jane and my Grandfather Ernie. I cried! It was the first time I'd seen a photo of her. It was such a special moment. 

Jane Adams fixing her veil on her wedding day. Ernie and her mother are standing beside her.

I love the kid in the background...was he part of the wedding or was he a creeper? 

Ernie Beyl and Jane Adams on their wedding day

Amelia Fries Beyl, Jane Adams with son Jeffrey and Joseph Beyl

Jane with her sons Jeff and Michael

This photo is my favorite...after being told I resembled her...I could finally see why. I sit just like this, with my shoulders rolled forward. Our bodies are very similar and I have her hands.

Family History Is Just About Those Who Are Gone...Or Is It?

When we begin to assemble the key players of our family tree, we all begin with the basics. We write our names neatly in the primary box at the bottom of the tree. Then we move up a branch and we write our fathers name...then our mothers name. Then we separate off into the paternal side and fill in the names of our father's parents and grandparents. Then we work our way back to our maternal side and diligently fill in the names of her parents and grandparents.

We may fill in the birth dates and death dates if we know them, maybe making a mental note to "Call Mom and ask what Grandma's birthday was".

After we've dutifully filled in all the blank lines we step back, and with a sigh, we pat ourselves on the back for a job well done.

Maybe we frame this tree and hang in our hallway with the other family photographs. Checking off our list "Research Family History".

But wait!! Don't check that off your list quite yet.

Family History is more then just the names and dates of our parents and grandparents. The history of our families...of ourselves...is the story each of us have to tell. Sadly our stories are lost after we are gone, little tidbits may remain in the memories of our children, cousins or nieces, but the things that may matter to us go unmentioned.

Who better to tell your story then...YOU.

Family history is about OUR own stories too! Not just those who've already passed.

Many times we are so focused on getting the facts about our 4x Great Grandfather that we forget to get the stories of our parents, ourselves or our children down. I know I'm guilty of this as well.

But guess what?

All those who are dead...will stay that way. Their history will remain in place. It's those who are alive that we need to worry about. It's their stories...our stories...that need to be preserved now. Think of all the information that is sitting in their heads, just waiting to be mined.

"But my life is so ordinary! There is nothing special about me!" you say.

Really??

How is that possible?

History is about ordinary people. Some who have done extraordinary things, but they were ordinary just like the rest of us. Today blogs, like this one, are read by many. Why?? Why are blogs so successful? They are written by everyday people about their everyday lives. What about Twitter or Facebook? Their entire existence is based on peoples desire to know about other peoples lives. Why do we want to know what someone had for lunch? Why do we care what movie they saw last night? Because we're curious about people.

So imagine your children, your grandchildren, your great grandchildren or even your 4x great grandchildren...don't you think they will be curious about you? Curious as to why you loved to play the piano? Why you chose to be a doctor? Or why you quit college?

WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL!!

So tell it....because family history is NOT just about those who are gone!

Minnigh Homestead

My Grandfather, Robert Minnigh, lived on Minnigh Lane. I asked him many years ago how it was possible for him to live on a road that shared his last name and he told me..."Back in 1800's some of our ancestors settled in this part of Penn on 200 acres, what is now Minnigh Lane was the lane that ran through the property - it is now a public road."

Picture if of my 3rd Great Grandmother Eliza Jane Bradley and her husband William Minnigh standing in front of their home.

Eliza and William had four children: Edrie Viola (1852-1857), May (birth and death unknown), Catherine (birth and death unknown) and son Elmer Oliver (1861 -1945). My grandfather's modern day home was located about 500 feet from Eliza and William's home (as seen in picture above). The land on which it sat consisted of 200 acres, which had been purchased by William from Eliza's father (John Guy Bradley) at the time of their wedding. In 1889 William invented and obtained a U.S. Patent #396887 on what he called a "seed grader and cleaner"  - something to be used by all growers of grains. Whether or not it was ever produced I have no idea.

Another interesting story was told to my Grandfather Robert by his father Harold. In the 1800's the home was built in approx 1860 - after William & Eliza had married and moved to the farm - William started growing tobacco in addition to his regular farm crops. (There use to be a photo taken long ago of tobacco tied in bunches hanging in a barn located behind the house). Indians still lived and roamed through out the area, usually several in number - they would come by the  house from time to time to beg or barter. They were primarily interested in the tobacco and at some point it was agreed upon - tobacco for lead. The lead to be melted down and cast to form lead balls for ammunition for hunting. It is said that is was never made known where the lead came from but the Indians were never gone long before they were back with the agreed upon amount of lead for tobacco. It was quite certain that the location of the lead deposit was on the farm nearby but William supposedly never learned of the location and though it was searched for, they never found it.

Pictures from Minnigh Homestead

Foundation from Eliza and Williams home

There is a walnut tree that still stands adjacent to where the house stood that still produces a few walnuts each year. As a child Harold would gather nuts from that tree.


An oil painting by Mary B. Dille was given to William Minnigh on July 1, 1896. I'm waiting for a photo of the actual painting to be sent to me, but below is the card that was attached to the painting.

Stories From the Minnigh Family - Part 1

**Post has been updated...thanks to Cousin Joel for clarifying some of the details

Picture taken circa 1938

left to right: Wendell Minnigh, Circie Bates Minnigh, Elmer O. Minnigh

Wendell E. Minnigh (1911-1986). Graduated from high school 1928, attended Allegheny College and Boston University School of Theology. He was a pastor at a number of Methodist churches in Western Pennsylvania. He held, over the years, several high level administrative appointments within the Western Pennsylvania Conference of the (United) Methodist Church. In high school and college he was a member of Varsity Baseball and he was also outstanding in tennis and was a member of the varsity swim team. He also played the clarinet and piano.

Wendell was extremely intelligent and well read.

My Grandfather (Robert Minnigh) once said about Wendell..."I got to know him quite well over the years and in my judgement, had he not chosen the ministry, he could have mastered whatever he chose, particularly law, as his father had before him, or because of his speaking voice and good looks the theater or movies."

Wendell married Alene Hyde, who also excelled at swimming and tennis. They first met in Volant when they were both 6 and went to the first grade together. Alene's family attended the church Elmer Minnigh pastored. They were reconnected in about 1932. Together they had five children: Wendell Jr., Diane, Judith, Miriam (Mi-Mi) and Joel.

Wendell's Obit: PA--Sharon Herald....11 Sep 1986
REV WENDELL MINNIGH Sr: Greenville; 74, died Wed morning (9/10/86) in Gilmore's White Cliff Nursing Home after an extended illness. MrMinnigh was born 11 Nov 1911 in Tidioute, to the late RevElmerO & Circie Annette Bates Minnigh. He was a 1928 graduate of Conneautville High School & a 1933 graduate of Allegheny College. He earned a bachelor of sacred theology degree in 1938 from Boston University School of Theology. In 1959 Allegheny College awarded him a doctor of divinity degree. He served Methodist churches in NewCAstle, Townville, Crawford County & UnionCity. From 1948-1964 he was pastor of First Methodist Church-Greenville; then he went to Pittsburgh where he served for 2 years as pastor of Emory Methodist Church. In 1966 Appointed disrict superintendent of the Allegheny District Western PA, which in 1968 became the Butler District of the Western PA Conference of the United Methodist Church. In 1972 he became pastor of the United Methodist Church-GIrard. He officially retired in 1975 & returned to Greenville. {several more paragraphs re activities} Surviving are his wife the former Alene Hyde, whom he married 26 Dec 1934; 5 children: Diane Minnigh-Boston; Judith (MrsThomas) Gardner-Girard; Miriam Marshall-BerthoudCO; Rev WendellE MinnighJr-BathNY; JoelD Minnigh-Pittsburgh; a bro: HaroldA Minnigh-Cooperstown & 7 grandchildren. Two bros preceded him in death. Service will be Sat for the former pastor of Greenville First United Methodist Church, a district superintendent for the United Methodist Church & long-time trustee at Allegheny College-Meadville. {Services will be held Sat in First United Methodist Church with his son Rev DrWednell MinnighJr officiating, burial in ParkLawn Cem. Arrangements by Loutzenhiser-Jordan Colonial Funeral Home}


Circie Annette Bates (1881-1941).

Circie Annette Bates

1881-1941

Her parents had owned a considerable amount of land in Ohio bordering on the Pennsylvania state line at a place, appropriately named "State Line". They raised horses among other things. Her parents donated some land and money for the construction of a Methodist church in State Line.

George Bates

Father of Circie 

1842-1928

Nancy Towner (Bates)

Mother of Circie

1847-1906

As a teenager, Circie, was the official rider, when it came time to prepare her parents horses for riding, it was her job to accustom the horses to having someone on their back, which they didn't always take too kindly to. But she prevailed.

Upon the completion of the church in State Line, the very first pastor to occupy the pulpit on Sundays was a man named Elmer Orville Minnigh (unmarried). Circie would accompany her parents to church on Sunday and by the time she had reached the age of 18 and the pastor the age of 38 a courtship had begun and a wedding followed in 1900.

Circie Annette Bates, Elmer O. Minnigh with son Harold

My Grandfather (Robert Minnigh) once said about Circie: "I was fortunate enough to have known Circie quite well, having visited her during my summer vacations. We spent much time sitting on the front porch at Robinson Chapel during the warm days of summer while war clouds were gathering over Europe - just prior to WWII. Our game was Chinese Checkers. If I ever did win a game - I don't remember. She would laugh heartily whenever she won. I venture to say if she were here today. I would still not be able to beat her. She was a wonderful grandmother to me."

Circie Bates and Elmer O. Minnigh

Circle played the piano and organ at church services and also had a piano in the house.

Elmer and Circie had 4 sons: Elmer Jr. (who died shortly after birth - approx 1901), Harold Arden (born 1902), Wendell (born 1911), and Marion LaFern (born 1915 - died 1918 at the age of 3).

Circie Bates with son Marion LaFern

who died at 3 years of age

Marion Minnigh

Circie Bates Minnich {Minnigh} Obit: Mrs. Elmer Kinsman; 59, died at home here Thursday evening after a 2 month illness. She was born 12 Jun 1881 at State Line, a daughter of George and Nancy Bates and was a member of the Methodist Church. Surviving are her husband, Rev. Elmer Minnich; 2 sons: Harold - Linesville; Rev. Wendell-Townville; 5 grandchildren; 2 sis: Mrs. Charles Bush - Williamsfield; Mrs Harry Sharp-Kinsman; 2 bros: Morah Bates - Conneaut and Earl Bates - Denver Co. Service will be held Sun afternoon at McLean Funeral Home with Rev Lee Smith-Sharon and Rev Albert Marriott - Meadville officiating. Burial will be at Jamestown PA (ParkLawn Cem)

Elmer Orville Minnigh (1861-1945).

Elmer O. Minnigh and Circie Bates

His parents had a 200 acre farm located at Bradleytown (named after his mother Eliza Bradley's father, John Bradley). Elmer was born there. He was the only son of Eliza and William Minnigh. He had two sisters: Mary (May) Adeline Minnigh (McLean) 1862-1936 and Catherine Amanda Minnigh (Foster) 1867-1938

Catherine Amanda Minnigh (Foster)

Elmer's Sister

1867-1938

He attended the Sunville Seminary in PA. Sunville Seminary was a high school located near Bradleytown. Elmer graduated from there in 1878. He attended Allegeheny College where he graduated with degrees of A.B. and A.M. in the class of 1882. He was a classmate of Clarence Darrow - famed lawyer to be. During that time Elmer, for a while, dated Darrow's sister, Mary, who lived at the family home in Kinsman, Ohio. Incidentally that home is now on the National Register. The distance from Allegheny to Kinsman was close to 50 miles and could be reached via a trolley. So on weekends Elmer would travel to visit. Just how serious of a relationship it became, is unknown to me, but it apparently ended up on his graduation from Allegheny and enrollment at the university of Michigan. Elmer graduated from that institution with the degree of LLB. He was to practice law, successfully in the state of Missouri for eleven years and then dedicated his life to Christian Service, being ordained and received into the Methodist ministry in 1895. He was a member of the Phi Delta Theta National College Social Fraternity, of which he was a charter member.

left to right: Elmer O. Minnigh, Eliza Bradley, Harold Minnigh holding son Robert Minnigh

left to right: Circie Bates, Elmer O Minnigh, Wendell Minnigh, Harold Minnigh, Eliza Bradley and George Bates

He was extremely articulate, with a voice that was made to order for a lawyer or minister.

Robinson Chapel in Parker, PA

My Grandfather (Robert Minnigh) once said about Elmer..."He was most impressive while standing at the pulpit on Sundays. I, at the young age of 12, found myself mesmerized by his sermons whenever I was at one of his Sunday services. He would spend hours during the week in his "study" preparing his up-coming sermon, and when Sunday arrived, when he approached the pulpit he would have only his bible in his hand. And from that moment on, until he had concluded his sermon, everyone within earshot was hearing a story being told in such a way that it was hard to believe that he had not personally witnessed everything first hand. As a lawyer he must have been outstanding. He was a good and wise man."

Elmer was active in his ministry for 50 years and died at the home of his son Wendell.

New Castle Newspaper Saturday March 17, 1945

Obit says: Rev. E. O. Minnigh Dies in Union City

Well-known retired minister passes away at home of his son Thursday.

Rev. E. O. Minnigh, retired Methodist minster, passed away, following a month's illness on Thursday March 15, at the parsonage home of his son, Rev. Wendell E. Minnigh, 46 East High Street, Union City, PA. Mr. Minnigh was aged 83 years. He had lived with his son since the passing of his wife four years ago this month.

Born June 13, 1861 near Sunville Pa, the only son of William and Jane Minnigh, Elmer Orville Minnigh was the oldest of four children. The others preceded him in death. Mr. Minnigh attended Sunville Seminary and was graduated with honors from Allegheny College, with degrees in A.B. and A.M. in the class of 1882. 

Attending the law school of the University of Michigan, he was graduated from that institution with the LL.B degree several years later practicing law successfully in the state of Missouri for 11 years. Mr. Minnigh dedicated his life to Christian devotion and service and was ordained and received into the Methodist ministry in 1895. Serving in the St. Louis Conference until 1899, Mr. Minnigh transferred back home into the Erie Conference. He was united in marriage on February 7, 1900, with Circie Annette Bates of near Jamestown, PA. They lived happily together for 41 years until the death of Mrs. Minnigh on March 13, 1941 They had four sons, two of whom died in early childhood. Two survive, Harold Arden Minnigh of Linesville, PA and Rev Wendell E. Minnigh, Pastor of the Methodist church in Union City, PA. In addition six grandchildren are living.

The Rev. Elmer O. Minnigh with his wife served the following charges in Erie Conference, Sate Line on the Jamestown charge, Espyville, West Middlesex, Tidioute, Volant, New Wilmington, Linesville, Conneautville, Edinburg and Robinson Chapel, all in Pennsylvania. Little Valley and Silver Creek in New York state. He had served in the ministry of the Methodist church for 38 years in the effective relation and help a pastorate for seven years more following his retirement.

Mr. Minnigh was a charter member of Phi Delta Theta national college social fraternity, a Mason and a member of the I.O.O.F.

His son Rev. Wendell E. Minnigh served at Wesley-Kings Chapel Methodist charge from 1936 to 1938. 

The body will be at the McCurdy funeral home Kinsman O until Sunday, where friends may call. Funeral services in his memory will be held at the Methodist church Jamestown, PA, Sunday at 3 p.m. Interment will be in the family lot in the Jamestown cemetery.