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This blog is used to share information I find about the families I am researching. To see these family names click on the "My Families" tab. Please feel free to make comments, corrections, and ask questions here or on my Facebook page or go to the "About Me" tab to send an e-mail.

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Friday, June 29, 2012

Friday's Photo: A New Photo of My Grandmother

My grandmother died in 1927 when my father was seven years old. Dad did not remember a lot about his mother, but he and other relatives had old photographs.  A few weeks ago, I spent two days in Denver. My first cousin, Jackie, left all of her genealogy files to the public library in Denver and I spent a full day going through the boxes. There were many, many xeroxed copies of photographs in the boxes, but this one of my grandmother, probably taken in the early 1900s, is one that I had not seen. I would love to find the original!

Myrtie Hairston Bryan 1880 - 1927


Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday, June 25, 2012

Monday's News: Mom is 80!!!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

On Saturday, June 25, 1932, the New York Yankees won against the Philadelphia Athletics at Yankee Stadium with a score of 7 to 4, the movie Red-Headed Woman, starring Jean Harlow, was released and you were born!

Thank you, Mom for always being there for me, for teaching me to be tolerant, patient, and productive, and for always listening and understanding. 

You are a wonderful mother and grandmother!


Love, 

Diana


© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Sunday's Obituary: Grandma Scott Dies


I am so glad that we now use women's names in obituaries and other documents.  I have seen so many obituaries and other articles calling older women "Grandma" or referring to married women by their husband's name; e.g., Mrs. R. E. Bryan or Mrs. Redic E. Bryan.  


Mary Ann Selman Scott was the wife of Calvin C. Scott and a descendant of Thomas Selman and Jemimah Greenlease. She was a cousin to my great-grandmother, Lodema Criswell Hairston. Lodema’s grandmother was Nancy Selman, also a descendant of Thomas Selman and Jemimah Greenlease




Grandma Scott Dies

Sunday morning, May 8 at 4 o’clock Grandma M. A. Scott breathed her last.  She had been sick for a long time with kidney trouble and for several months had been gradually growing worse.  Anticipating the end, her children had all been here to visit her and all but one were present when she died.  The funeral took place at the residence on Sunday afternoon at 4 o’clock. Her pastor, Rev. O. E. Clark, conducted the services. A long procession of sorrowing relatives and friends followed the remains to the cemetery. 
          Grandma Scott died at the advanced age of 80 years and was the last one of nine children. She moved to Baylor County in 1879, being one of the first settlers, and lived a few years at Round Timber, after which she moved to Seymour.  During her long residence here, she has won the love and esteem of all those who have known her.  She had become a familiar figure in the town and her presence will be sadly missed.  For sixty years Mrs. Scott has been a faithful member of the Baptist church.  Her life has been an exemplary one and she could lie down in death without fear or trembling.
          Deceased leaves six children:  Ben Scott and Mrs. J. S. Foster of this place, J. G. Scott of Tahoka, Holly Scott of Roosevelt, Okla., Mrs. Reeder of Knox City, and Mrs. N. A. Green of Estelline.  People of Seymour join those in sorrow for the death of this good woman.  We have this consolation, though, that she had more than lived out her period of years and so lived that her memory will be revered. 
                        From the May 13, 1910 issue of the Baylor County Banner
                        in Baylor County, Texas


Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Friday, June 22, 2012

Friday’s Photo: The Setting

Doris wrote, "Larry McLaughlin
and John Swanton - Winter 1946"

Doris Staubach - Jan. 1, 1946




Doris wrote, "Mary McMullan - Easter 1946"

This one is not labeled, but the
young man in the front looks like William
"Bill" Quinn in the 1940s. 
Three weeks ago, I posted some of the Quinn family pictures taken on the roof oftheir apartment building. I found even more in front of this iron and brick fence; both Quinn and Staubach family pictures.  As there were so many I assumed that it was in front of the school that they both attended.

Well, I was wrong!

Both the Quinn and Staubach families lived on West 153rd Street ; just across the street from the Trinity Church Cemetery Mausoleum.  Look closely and you will see many headstones. 






Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday, June 18, 2012

Monday's News: Redic Bryan in the Baylor County Banner


I was lucky enough to find this mini-biography about my grandfather, Redic E. Bryan. He served as Tax Assessor of Baylor County, Texas for two terms. 

For Assessor

By referring to the announcement column it will be seen that the name of Redic E. Bryan appears there as a candidate for the office of Tax Assessor.  As he is not thoroughly known to our people it might be well to give something of his biography.  Mr. Bryan was born in Louisiana, but moved to Texas and to Erath County with his parents when he was only eight years of age.  He attended a good school at Stephenville and upon completion of his school days he acquired a first grade certificate and taught for five years in that county.
This card was found in the Bryan family Bible.  
Written on the back is "J. B. Cauble, Big 
Springs, Texas."

Five years ago he moved with his family to Baylor county and settled on a farm in Levelview community, northwest of town of town.  He has been living there ever since, except a period of eighteen months when he was at Big Springs for his wife’s health.  His life in our midst has been and exemplary one and he has earned the high regard of the people with whom he has been associated.

Mr. Bryan is forty years of age and is in the prime of his usefulness.  He is a robust, vigorous man, fully capable physically to cope with the cares of office.  He has also had the training that would fit him for the position he seeks.  That he is perfectly honest and trustworthy is not to be doubted for an instant.  He will refer you to anybody that knew him where he came from or who has known him here as to his character.

Being thus qualified, Mr. Bryan believes he can serve the people in the capacity of assessor to their entire satisfaction.  And no effort will be spared on his part in case he is elected, to make of himself a good officer.  He is determined that his race will be a perfectly clean one.  He has not a word to say against his opponent, whom he believes to be a good and capable man.  But he believes in rotation of office and believes that all public favors should not be given one man, no matter how good that man may be.

Mr. Bryan is at some disadvantage in not knowing everybody, but he intends to make a thorough canvas and will try if possible to meet you before the July primary.  He asks for a careful consideration of his candidacy on the part of the voter.  Mr. Bryan is a good man and qualified for the office he seeks.  If the voters of our county should feel constrained to give him their ballot it is save to say they would have no great cause to regret their action.
                                             Baylor County Banner - March 18, 1910


Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Sunday, June 17, 2012

Sunday’s Obituary: Reddick Bryan


My father, Whit C. Bryan, next to Reddick Bryan's grave at the
Bryan Cemetery in Bienville Parish, Louisiana - 1981

Reddick Bryan, my great-great-grandfather, must have liked adventure and the unknown. He left his home in North Carolina to settle in the frontier in Georgia and later to settle in newly owned federal lands in Louisiana. Both times, he gave up his home where he had family and established churches, schools and community. In Louisiana, Reddick was a slave owner and had a plantation where he grew cotton and lived in a two room dogtrot log cabin.  When Reddick died, at age 71 on January 12, 1864, two of his sons were away, fighting for the Confederate Army. His estate, valued at $27,500, included Confederate money and numerous slaves. 

According to the obituary, Reddick was a member of the Methodist Church for more than 40 years. This leads me to believe that he became affiliated with the Methodist Church about the time that he married Elizabeth Regan in 1821. Information about Reddick’s family and other genealogical or historical information is not found in this obituary. The newspaper and author are unknown.

Reddick Bryan, along with other family members, is buried in the Bryan Cemetery which is south of Ringgold on Highway 7 in Bienville Parish, Louisiana.

OBITUARY

Died at his residence, on the 12th ult, near Ringgold, Bienville Parish, La., Mr. Reddick Bryan age seventy {paper torn and not ledgible}. It is painful indeed to record the death on one whom we have known so long and who was bound to us by the strongest ties of friendship’s affection- painful to know that one has gone who has been with us so long. By this community, he will be sadly missed and the announcement of his death will send an anguish to the hearts of all who knew him.  To his Christian Friends and Brethren, a light has gone out that will never on earth glow again, a pillar is broken and crushed that will never be replaced.  But we should be resigned to know and consider that Death is an instructive mentor as well as a mournful messenger; that the grave is the common lot of all, the great leveler of all distinctions.  But at the same time we are taught, in one sense the good and great can never die for the memory of their virtues and bright example will live through all coming time into an immortality that blooms beyond the grave.  The consolation of this thought should calm our sorrows and cause us to exclaim, in the language of a poet,

“Why weep ye, then, for him who having run
The bounds of man’s appointed years at last,
Life’s blessing all enjoyed, life’s labors done,
Serenely to his final rest has passed?”

The subject of this notice has long enjoyed the blessings of religion.  For more than forty years he has been a strict and useful member of the Methodist church.  Possessing all the attributes of a Christian Man, he was a kind and affectionate husband, an indulgent parent; as {illedgible} his servants displayed their attachment to him in tears of anguish over his grave.  For several months his health was bad, and he often spoke of death, but calmly, as if he would be ready to obey the summons when it pleased God to call him.  Let this thought comfort her, the partner of his bosom, whose heart is now crushed and bleeding.  Let her feel that it is good in the sight of God for this affliction to come on her, for by the power of Christ’s resurrection we joyfully anticipate the prospect of seeing that broken staff erect and that beautiful rod clothed with celestial grace and blossoming in undying life in the paradise of God.
Ringgold, La.
A. P. J.

Copies of this obituary and transcriptions were sent to me by two Bryan/Regan descendants. Another transcription was found in The Wimberly Family History compiled by Vera Meek Wimberly in 1979. Mrs. Wimberly wrote that she found the original obituary in the scrapbook of Josie Bryan Cook, a granddaughter of Reddick Bryan. All three transcriptions differed. This is my transcription of the copy of the clipping sent to me by E. Regan Pruitt.  





Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Friday, June 15, 2012

Friday's Photos: Honoring the Fathers in my Family Tree

Happy Father's Day to my husband - pictured
with his father William Joseph Quinn 1930-2005

Happy Father's Day to my brother, Rick. 

My Father
Whit Criswell Bryan 1920 - 2001



My grandfather, Redic Eli Bryan
1870-1929


My grandfather, Claude Louis Davis
1893-1967


My great-grandfather, Charles Allen Giddens
1865-1958

My great-grandfather, Phillip A. Hairston
1852-1917

My great-grandfather, Terrell Bryan
1836-1920


My great-great-grandfather, Reddick Bryan
1793-1864



My great-great grandfather, William Moore Criswell
1822-1881





Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday, June 11, 2012

Monday's News: Changing Times

I will be on a plane today - returning from the Southern California Genealogy Jamboree and thought that this news item, found in the Baylor County Banner was appropriate:

Some airplanes went over on Tuesday and another one yesterday.  They did not stop or give any account of themselves. Perhaps after awhile airplanes will be so common that no mention will be necessary about them.  Infact, even now some of the oil men at Kanger have purchased planes to be used in going to and from Fort Worth.
                                      Baylor County Banner - May 22, 1919




© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Sunday's Obituary: Phillip A. Hairston

Phillip A. Hairston, my great-grandfather
Phillip A. Hairston, son of John L. and Eliza Hairston was born on May 17, 1852 in Hinds County, Mississippi. He relocated with his family to Falls County, Texas after the Civil War.  There he married Lodema Walker Criswell, born in Cherokee County, Texas, and the daughter of William Moore Criswell and Mary Ann “Polly” Evans. 


Phillip and Lodema had two children; a boy who died at birth and Johnie Myrtlene "Myrtie" Hairston, my grandmother.  Phillip and Lodema moved to Erath County, Texas in about 1882 and in 1905 moved to Baylor County, Texas where they spent the remainder of their days. 


P. A. Hairston


Mr. P. A. Hairston was born in Vicksburg, Miss., May 17, 1852; died at his home in Seymour Nov. 9, 1917.  He lived in Mississippi until he was 14 years of age, when he came with his parents to Falls county.  Here he grew to manhood and was married January 3, 1872 to Miss Lodema Criswell.  Mrs. R. E. Bryan of this city is their only living child, a son having died in infancy.  They moved to Erath county in 1883 and living there till about 11 years ago, when they moved to Baylor county.  Me. Hairston was converted and united with the Oakdale Baptist church about 27 years ago.
Mr. Hairston had not been a strong man,.  In his youth he was in robust health. but two attacks of pneumonia left an enfeebled body which never became strong again.  However, he led an active life inwhatever he was able to do and by good management had acquired a competency for himself and wife in their declining years.  He had purchased a home in Seymour, where he meant to spend the remainder of his life, but no one dreamed of that time being so short.  The night he and his wife moved into their home the doctor had to be called for a severe pain in Mr. Hairston’s side.  He later went to Mineral Wells, where it was eventually determined that he had cancer of the kidney.  The disease developed rapidly, but the power of resistance was strong and the end did not come until the frame was too emaciated to hold the spirit.
Mr. Hairston suffered a great deal but did not complain.  Thro out his life he showed a disposition that was kindly and mindful of his fellow man.  His benevolence showed itself in the care which he and his wife gave to several orphan children whom they took in their home.  His was a cheerful disposition, and he made many friends among the people of this county.  We would have liked for him to stay with u longer bu the Father knows best and has good things in store for him in the home which shall be his through eternity.


                                            Baylor County Banner - November 22, 1917



Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Friday, June 8, 2012

Friday's Photo: Inside the House

Wouldn't you like to know more about your ancestor's home? I have several pictures of my ancestor's homes from the outside, but only one, my grandmother's Giddens family, purposefully took pictures of the inside of their home. 

These pictures show the inside of the Giddens' home in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. My grandmother's father, Charles A. Giddens, owned a men's furnishings store at 310 South Main Street and the family lived above the store. In the album these are labeled "Den 1919."

The oval picture on the wall and the pictures on the desk are photographs of people. Wouldn't you like to see them?!

Note that Charles W. Giddens picture is above the couch. 


Music was Hindustan and Blue Bird. The third looks as if to be a military or war song, but I cannot read the cover. I wonder who played the piano. 

College Pennants must have been popular. I don't know if any of this
family attended college. 



Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Monday, June 4, 2012

Monday's News: Seymour, Texas


I like reading old newspapers. As I have said before, you can learn so much in even the shortest news items. As I search for new information about my family, I sometimes find items about my home town in Virginia or places that my relatives have lived. This items have become somewhat of a large collection on my computer so I have decided that as I have time, I will post them on this blog. And, as they are not my family, I will delete them from my computer! 

Enjoy! 

Mexia Evening Ledger - September 20, 1899
W. O. Peery returned today from a visit to his parents in Seymour.

Oregonian - June 14 1880
Judge Murdered in his Court Room
Graham, Texas, June 12 – R. Morris, county judge of Baylor County, was shot and instantly killed in the court house at Seymour yesterday by W. A. Taylor, a saloon keeper. Taylor escaped.

Knox County News - June 19, 1908
Mr. Hardy Davis of Seymour is in the City and will make this place his home for some time. He is employed at the elevator.
 
The Evening News - June 11, 1900 (Mexia, Texas)
Mrs. Ed McCoy of Armour left on the afternoon train, for Seymour where she will visit her daughter, Mrs. Williams.

Stephenville Tribune - November 19, 1909
On Oct. 30 Mrs. Clyde Martin died at Seymour, Texas of typhoid fever, contracted while nursing some motherless children which had been neglected and deserted and left uncared for.   In missions of mercy Mrs. Martin was always found ready to do more than her part. She was a wife of John Martin, daughter of J. B. Kelly and sister of Mrs. Lillian Fields and left three small children.  She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church, and one who believed in assisting those in distress and need, and in this she exemplified a high type of Christian character.  Inasmuch as she lost her life in an unselfish devotion to distressed and suffering helpless children it is believed that the guardian angels will watch over and care for the three helpless children of her own flesh and blood whom she left motherless. 

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Sunday's Obituary: Harriet Albritton Bryan


Harriet Albritton Bryan

Harriet Albritton Bryan died on February 9, 1909.  She was my great-grandmother. She was born on August 15, 1836 in Twiggs County, Georgia to Peter and Hollen Albritton. Hollen's maiden name has not been determined.  She and Terrell were married on Febrary 20, 1855 in Bienville Parish. 

This obituary and the following article,  were published in the Stephenville Tribune in February 1909. The exact date of the following issue was not obtained. The copy of this obituary was obtained from the Dick Smith Library at Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas

Stephenville Tribune
Feb 1909
{no title}
About 12 o'clock Tuesday while Mrs. Terrell Bryant was preparing dinner and while opening a can of corn, she was seized with a pain in the back of her neck and called to her husband.  A neighbor was called  in a physician sent for.  He administered to her wants and left.  The good woman grew worse and the doctor was again sent for.  She died at one o'clock.  Mrs. Bryant has long been a resident of Stephenville and was endowed with an unusually kind disposition and loving heart, there being few better women than she in this old world.  She was a true type of old southern womanhood, and possessed many fine traits of the mind and heart.  In her simple life and unostentatious way see exemplified the true Christian character.  Owing to the remoteness of some of the children of deceased the funeral did not take place until Wednesday. Among those who came in Tuesday were Reddick Bryan and wife of Big Springs, Mrs. J. R. Hammett of Seymore {Seymour}, Mrs. Tom Wylie of Bronte, Mrs. Tom Latta and Milton Wylie of Fort Worth, J. E. Biggs of Denton, and J. D. Biggs and family of Morgan Mill.


Stephenville Tribune
19 Feb 1909
(no title)
When the clouds of affliction hang heavily over a Stephenville home it is then that the good citizens and neighbors lay down their own burdens and minister gently to those in dire distress. This was exemplified most forcibly when our wife and mother, Mrs. Terrell Bryan, was stricken down, and passed away, and each of us desire to thank the many dear friends who rendered assistance at a time when we were heartbroken over the sudden termination of a life we held in such reverence. Respectfully, Terrell Bryan, Reddick Bryan, Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Biggs, J.R. Hammett, Mrs. Dollie Wylie, Harve Keith, Lon Latta and family.




Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn

Friday, June 1, 2012

Friday’s Photo: On the Rooftop


William and Helen Quinn - graduation from St. Catherine's Academy - 1944


I like this photograph of my father-in-law, William Quinn and his twin sister, Helen. It’s easily determined that it is some type of graduation picture and that it was taken on a roof of a building – has to be in NYC.  Looking at additional family pictures, there are more taken in the same location. Why the roof?  This was easily explained by my husband’s aunt last month – the family lived on the fifth floor of the building and it was easier to go to the roof than down five flights of stairs. 


William Quinn - 1940s

William Quinn and Doris Staubach - about 1952


Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn