Believing in Miracles - 22 February 1980

Yes, I am still here!! 

But that's not the miracle I am referring to at the moment. It's been 36 years since the "Miracle on Ice" aka the US Men's Hockey Team defeats the USSR's Men's Hockey Team. 

I still remember that night. It was a Friday and I got to go to the local roller skating rink on Old Trolley Road in Summerville, SC (think it was Hot Wheels??). Which is ironic since I only skated a few times, the last time was cracking my wrist. Never skated again but still a great place to hang out! Mom picked me up and when we got home the game was still on. The third period was about to start and the Soviets were winning.  I didn't really follow hockey at the time but my father was really into the game as was my mother so I stayed up and watched. We were a very happy family by the end of the game!!

My paternal grandmother sent us the Plattsburgh Press-Republican at the time which included inserts during the Olympics. Below are the pages of the win!!

Great memories!!

52 Ancestors: #9 Ella Johnson Hall

I had planned on just doing the obituary of my paternal 2nd great grandmother, Ella Johnson Hall (1858-1925) but then I thought this would be a great time to do my next entry in the "52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge" (especially since I have no photos of her!!)

Here is the LONG obituary (please note the 3rd, 4th and 5th paragraphs):

The Record-Post

Thursday, April 9, 1925

Ella (Johnson) Hall

Mrs. Ella (Johnson) Hall, whose serious illness was reported in the last issue of The Record-Post, passed peacefully away at her home just south of the village last Saturday forenoon at 11:30 o'clock, in the 68th year of her age. Deceased was born in Clintonville March 20, 1858. While still a young lady she married Ira Hall and had, previous to coming here, resided at Tarrytown, in Moriah and at Plattsburg.

Mr. and Mrs. Hall and four children came to Elizabethtown to reside in the spring of 1897, just about 28 years ago, since when {then} they have lived continuously a short distance south of this village, excepting the summer of 1899 when they were located in "the old house" on Durand Farm.

To those of us who knew her well Mrs. Hall's life was so pure and humble, kind and true, through pleasant and through cloudy weather, that we may say that today, though her mortal form shares the stillness of the tomb, her spirit, in triumph, goes marching on. Life to this kindly woman was like an ever swinging pendulum between a smile and a tear.  So faithful and so patient, however, so true to real Christian teachings was this good woman that those near and dear to her fell that the memory of this worth-while character will remain to encourage, indeed that her commendable example will continue to cast shadows ahead, witnessing the sunrises and sunsets of coming years.

Mrs. Hall was of the Methodist persuasion and those of that faith who worked with her here and elsewhere admired and respected her for her quiet, abiding faith and wholesomeness.  She will be missed in the church circles where she was so highly esteemed.  However, it is in the family circle where this true hearted and ever faithful wife and mother will be most missed. To the members of the sorrow stricken family bereft of the companionship and advise of this rare woman the sincere sympathy of this community is extended.

It may well be said of Mrs. Hall: She has fought a good fight; she has kept the faith; She has earned the right to rest from earthly labors. What more can be said of mortal?

Deceased is survived by her husband, three sons, Earl of Keene Valley, Jesse and Loren of Elizabethtown and one daughter, Miss Beatrice Hall, also of this place. One brother, George Johnson of Ticonderoga and a sister, Mrs. Olive Kee, widow of Alexander Kee, of Los Angeles, Cal., also survive. A daughter, Miss Blanche Hall, born in Elizabethtown in 1897, died in the Champlain Valley Hospital, Plattsburg, in September, 1917.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hall were held at her late home Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Rev. D.C. Abbott officiating.  Interment in Riverside cemetery.
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I remember reading this before for the biographical information and had forgotten about what I call an eulogy in the middle of the obituary! Gotta love the verbous writing of yesteryear!  But now I have a few more places to check!

She sounds like she was quite a lady!!

Connecting the Dots - My "AHA" Moment

Ever run across an obituary that lists a known relative but you can't figure out the connection? I've had the following obituary for a few years:

John Maple

John Maple, 60, was found dead in his home, Kent street Keeseville, Wednesday afternoon at 1:15 o’clock, after neighbors had reported to State Police that they had not seen him that morning as usual.  Dr. J.H. Evans was called and he stated that Mr. Maple died of a heart attack, and had been dead about 10 hours.

Only known survivors are several cousins, Mrs. Daniel Coughlin, of Palmer Hill, Mrs. George Frasier of Darby, Pa., Mrs. Frank Pattno of Plattsburgh, Pvt. Charles Williams of Camp Stonesman, Calif., and Mrs. Marie Finnessey of Schenectady.

The remains were removed to R. Prescott Company’s Undertaking Parlors.  Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

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I am not actively researching this line but as both sides of the family are from the same area if I see something that mentions the line I am not working that day then I save it for future viewing.  I have looked at this obit from time to time but didn't see the connection.  The only person I knew was Mrs. Daniel Coughlin of Palmer Hill, my paternal great grandmother, Bridget Agnes Williams Coughlin (1883-1973).  

Then when I was researching something else (as is always the case) I found the connection to Mrs. Frank Pattno.  She was the former Orilla Frazier (1885-?), the daughter of my paternal 2nd great aunt, Margaret Dewan Frazier (1857-1927) sister of Agnes' mother Mary Dewan Williams (1854-1916). 

So when I accidentally clicked on John Maple's obituary last weekend, I decided to work on it.  Found a few more collateral relatives. Also solved my puzzle.  John Maple was the son of Mary and Margaret Dewan's sister Elizabeth Dewan Maple (1859-1939). EUREKA! 

I looked at the other names mentioned.  George Frazier (1893-1980) and Marie Frazier Henessey (1895-1972) were Orilla Frazier Pattno's siblings. George was still alive so not sure why "Mrs. George Frazier" was listed.  Finessey was actually Henessey but sometimes in genealogy those things happen!

Charles Williams is still my mystery.  I haven't worked much on the Williams line yet but so far no Charles has surfaced.  Just another item on the To Do List!!

The moral of the story...it pays off to look at items again after you have found other connections because the dots will be there (hopefully) and the puzzle will be solved!!