12977. Fayetta Alice Elston
Fayetta Alice ElstonOCCUPATION: Biologist, librarian
John Raymond LongwellOCCUPATION: Biologist
SSN:
Individual: Longwell, John
Social Security #: 210-12-5095
SS# issued in: Pennsylvania
Birth date: Sep 16, 1924
Death date: Apr 1982
ZIP Code of address where death benefit payment was sent: 21403
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:
Annapolis, Maryland
[Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1 A-L, Ed. 5, Social Security Death
Index: U.S., Date of Import: Nov 9, 2000, Internal Ref. #1.111.5.145410.8]
17054. Susan Longwell
Susan LongwellQUESTION: Did Susan Longwell marry someone on 13 Jul 1980? See CFA II, p. 365.
12988. Rebecca Louise Goddard
Rebecca Louise GoddardRECOLLECTIONS: The family of Joshua Goddard, Sr. came from Greene county, Pennsylvania about 1850 and settled in Wetzel county, Virginia.
My parents were James Rosco Goodard, the second son of Moses and Rachel (Hafer) Goddard, and Bertha Ellen Sidenstricker (Dennis). I was an only child of this marriage, although both parents were married before.
I was born on Jan. 20, 1929, on "Dutch Run," at the home of my grandparents Goddard. My first five years we lived in Paden City, WV. I was three and a half years old when my father was hit by a car while crossing the street and died from the injuries received.
My mother and I later moved to New Martinsville. We lived in the old "Johnson's Flat" house along the beautiful "Ohio River." I attended Central Grade and Magnolia High School. While attending Magnolia I met and later married my husband Ralph Andrew Williams, Dec. 19, 1947, at Benwood, W.Va. Ralph and I were blessed with two children, born at Wetzel County Hospital, who are now both grown.
Ralph wasn't able to find any decent work in Wetzel County, so we decided to move. Ralph had an older brother living in Auburn, California the "Mother Lode Country." We loaded up our belongings, two small children, car, our love for each other, our heart's full of dreams and headed out west. We drifted from one small job to another for three years. We spent many hours in fruit sheds making packing boxes for grapes, peaches, pears and cherries. We then moved to Alameda, California where Ralph got his first good job with Carnation Milk Co., Fresh Milk Div. in Oakland. One year later we were able to buy our first home. I returned to school that year and got my license in nursing. I worked for 17 years at "Mt. Diablo Hospital" before I became ill and had to retire.
(Source: Written by Rebecca (Goddard) Williams, "History of Wetzel County, WV," 1983, p. 113-114)
Ralph Andrew WilliamsPARENTS: Ralph Williams parents came to Wetzel County, WV from Marshall County. They bought the old "Havely Farm" on American Ridge. They had the "Hillcrest Dairy."
HOBBIES: Ralph and Rebecca enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting and there home in Sonora, California.
RESIDENCES: Wetzel Co., WV; Alameda, CA; Sonora, CA
RESIDENCES: As of 1984, Jacksonville, AR
17058. Ralph Allen Williams
COMMENT: Not married as of 1984.
RESIDENCES: As of 1984, Sonora, CA area
12995. Barbara Patricia Phillips
Barbara Patricia PhillipsOCCUPATION: School teacher; musician
HOBBIES: Collected Indian baskets
COMMENT: Barbara Patricia Phillips was an only child. Her mother nearly died in childbirth and the doctor advised against any more children.
BIOGRAPHY: Barbara Patricia Phillips
My mother, Barbara Patricia (Phillips) Mustard. She was known as Patsy in childhood.She attended Illinois Wesleyan College in Normal, Illinois, where she earned a B.Music (flute, piano, violin, and conducting) then went on to the American Conservatory in Chicago, where she studied conducting under Walter Aschenbrenner. I still have her violin, a 1758 David Tecchler (Tecchler was one of Stradivari's students at the Cremona workshop.) She went on to teach grade school, first in eastern Illinois.
She married my father in 1948, moved to Sequim, Washington, and began raising a family of four children. They moved to Kentucky in 1950, then my father went into the Air Force in 1951 and was base veterinarian at San Marcos, Texas from 1951 to 1954. They then moved back to Washington State, to the Mustard family farm near Montesano, where she spent the rest of her life.
She taught second grade for one year at the Garden City School then the next 25 years taught third grade in Elma.
She was elected to Delta Kappa Gamma, the national honorary for school teachers.
She and her mother collected Indian baskets while living in Montana, and she became an expert on Indian basketry of the Northwest, studying informally under Erna Gunther of the University of Washington later in life. She also learned to weave baskets from Indians at the Moclips Indian Reservation at Tahola. At the time of her death, she had one of the most extensive collections of Pacific Northwest Indian basketry in private hands.
Mother had 20/10 vision and was a crack shot with long guns, as she had spent her childhood in Montana shooting jackrabbits with a single-shot Winchester .22 rifle. She was also a proficient violinist, pianist, and flautist.
(Written by Allan P. Mustard)
DEATH-HEALTH_HISTORY: Suffered from high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity, had cataracts late in life. Had uterine cancer in 50's, had successful hysterectomy. Died of embolism.
Donald Hugh MustardRESIDENCES: Brady, WA; San Marcos, TX
OCCUPATION: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
MILITARY: U.S.A.F. Captain Veterinary Corps
RESIDENCES:
104 Brady Loop Road East; Montesano, WA 98563HEALTH_HISTORY: high blood pressure and atherosclerosis
BIOGRAPHY: Donald Hugh Mustard
My father, Donald Hugh Mustard, was born and reared in Brady, Washington, on a farm bought by his grandfather.He studied veterinary medicine at Washington State University and graduated with his D.V.M. degree in 1944. Upon graduation he went into private practice in Elma, Wash., then in 1947 or so moved to Sequim to enter practice with another veterinarian.
He married my mother in 1948 and they had four children: Richard Hugh 10/10/49-1/15/93, Catherine Jane 4/30/51- , Allan Phillip 10/4/55- , and Edward Louis 1/13/57- .
In 1951 moved to Texas to serve in the Air Force as base veterinarian at San Marcos. This service was obligatory as part of his education had been financed by the Army during World War II. In WWII the Army needed veterinarians, but by 1944 decided it didn't need as many as it was financing, then in 1951 during the Korean War, the military told him he could either enlist as an officer or be drafted as an enlisted man as compensation for the Army's contribution to his education. He chose to enlist and was commissioned a captain in the USAF veterinary corps. In 1954 he was honorably discharged.
He moved back to Washington State to take over the family dairy farm, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. He ran it until 1973, when he sold the herd and went back to full-time veterinary practice. He is still practicing veterinary medicine, though he has shifted from large animals to small animals.
(Written by Allan P. Mustard)
17059. Richard Hugh Mustard
Richard Hugh MustardAKA: Called, Rick
BIOGRAPHY:
Richard Hugh Mustard was born in the hospital in Port Angeles, Washington. After living in Texas while his father was in the Air Force, he grew up on the family farm near Brady, Washington.He attended Grays Harbor College and Washington State University, and graduated with a B.S. in forestry engineering from the University of Washington around 1977 or so. He worked for private land surveyors, the Forest Service, and later for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. At his death he was one of DNR's seven chief engineers.
Rick was an avid sailor, hiker and hunter. He held a concealed weapon permit mainly so that he could always have his grandfather's Colt .22 Woodsman pistol along in case he saw a game bird while out in the woods. He also, however, enjoyed pistol shooting.
Rick never married Carol Channell, mainly because she had already been married once and did not want to go through it again. They lived together as a married couple for all intents and purposes and their home was owned jointly.
He died of heart failure at age 43, the cardiac arrest was believed to have been induced by stress. At his request, most of his ashes were scattered in Young Cove near his beloved waterfront home, and were chased a bottle of beer. The family also interred some of his ashes in the family cemetery plot at the Satsop Cemetery.
(Written by Allan P. Mustard)
17061. Allan Phillip Mustard
Allan Phillip MustardBIRTH: 4 Oct 1955 at St. Joseph's Hospital, Aberdeen, WA
RESEARCHER: Allan Mustard was interested in genealogy. He shared information about his part of the Conger family.
EDUCATION: Grays Harbor College; University of Washington, class of 1978
OCCUPATION: U.S. Foreign Service Officer
BIOGRAPHY: Allan Phillip Mustard
I was born in Aberdeen, Washington at St. Joseph's Hospital, and grew up on the family farm. I attended Grays Harbor College, a community college, then the University of Washington (Class of '78), special courses in Russian at Leningrad State University in summer 1978, then earned an M.S. in agricultural economics at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign in 1982.Over the years I worked for Jewish Family Service of Seattle assisting Soviet Jewish immigrant families, as a guide and interpreter on a U.S. Government agricultural exhibition in the Soviet Union, and in various odd jobs before being hired by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1982. At that time I moved to the Washington, D.C. metro area. In 1986 I was inducted into the U.S. Foreign Service and in 1990 was commissioned. I have served as an agricultural officer in the American Embassy in Moscow (1986-88), the American Consulate General in Istanbul (1988-90), and am currently posted to the American Embassy in Vienna (1996-2000). At present I am a foreign service officer of the United States, rank of Class 1 (that's equivalent to a colonel in the military, which I pass on since most people don't even know the foreign service exists). I speak fluent Russian and passable German.
(Written by Allan P. Mustard)
Ann Virginia AndersonAKA: Legally named Anna at birth; called Ann informally, later had name changed.
EDUCATION: A.B. in radio and television journalism from Stephens College in Missouri; M.S. in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
BIOGRAPHY: Ann Virginia Anderson
Ann Virginia Anderson was born at Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, a native of Oneida, Illinois. Descended from Scottish immigrants who came to America in the 1800's.She holds an A.B. degree from Stephens College (Missouri) in radio and television journalism; M.S. in agricultural economics from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
She Worked in radio and elevision journalism from 1969 until the present, including 10 years at WCIA-TV in Champaign during the 1970's and 1980's.
She married Allan Phillip Mustard on 17 Jul 1982 at Urbana, Illinois.
Since then she has worked as a stringer for CBS Radio News in Moscow, Istanbul, and Vienna. She is a proficient organist and is currently one of the organists at the Vienna German-language liturgy Methodist Church. She holds awards for reporting from journalistic organizations.
(Written by Alan P. Mustard)
12997. Donald Fred Conger
Donald Fred CongerMILITARY-DEATH-BURIAL: He died on 26 Jul 1945 at Houdon, France. He was in the USAF on an instrument flight when the plane was struck by lightning. He was buried at St. Andre Military Cemetery. Later the body was sent back to the United States and buried at Wagner, SD.
Irene Audrey BrownSPOUSE: Married second, Mr. Ulyat
17063. Robert Anthony Conger
Robert Anthony CongerBIRTH: 21 Jul 1945, 5 days before the death of his father in a plane crash in France. He was raised in England.
EMIGRATION-MILITARY: Robert Conger came to America in June 1966 and joined the USAF.
HOBBIES: Liked records, books, collected stamps
ORGANIZATIONS: Free Mason - Douglas Lodge #361
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Methodist
RESIDENCES: 5205D Ware Ave.; Scott AFB, IL 62225
17064. Floyd Robert Glick
RESIDENCES: As of 1961, 1765 Pavillon Road; Pomona, CA
13004. Unknown Koogler
Unknown KooglerCOMMENT: This may have been the Koogler's daughter, Nell, mentioned in the recollections of her mother.
13021. Howard Raymond Crowell
Howard Raymond CrowellAKA: Raymond Crowell
SSN:
Individual: Crowell, Howard
Social Security #: 481-03-9174
Issued in: Iowa
Birth date: May 30, 1917
Death date: May 1984
Residence code: Iowa
ZIP Code of last known residence: 52501
Primary location associated with this ZIP Code:
Ottumwa, Iowa
[Broderbund Family Archive #110, Vol. 1 A-K, Ed. 7, Social Security Death
Index: U.S., Date of Import: Nov 15, 2000, Internal Ref. #1.111.7.60123.194]
13030. Helen Maxine Crowell
Helen Maxine CrowellPARENTS: Henry Norton Crowell and Violette Wright
AKA: Maxine
OCCUPATION: bookkeeper
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Latter-day Saints
RESIDENCES: Probably in 1995, P.O. Box 447; Janesville, IA 50647
BIOGRAPHY:
Maxine Leonard was stricken with Rheumatoid Arthritis at the age of 37. She turned to genealogy for something to do. She had five foot operations and the knuckles and wrists of both hands were repaired. Through chiropractic she was able to return to a fairly normal life.As a Latter-Day Saint, she taught, directed the choir and put out the monthly ward paper. She directed the Waterloo Mothers Chorus (a community group of 35). She also sang in the Sweet Adelines.
Besides typing the entire CONGER manuscript, she did most of the mimeograph work alone. In the 1970's she was also preparing for publication of the records of the CROWELL, WRIGHT, BOWLER, LEONHARDT, and WILLSON families. Through the Willsons, her husband, Larry, is descended from William the Conqueror, whose lineage goes back to Rollo, 1st Duke of Normandy, born in the early 800's.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
RECOLLECTIONS: Maxine Leonard Writes of Her Genealogy Experiences
In Volume I, of "The Conger Family of America," H. Maxine (Crowell) Leonard wrote of her involvement in Conger genealogy."You could say these records [of Charles Leslie Conger which had been filmed at
the Library of Congress for Elijah Hagens Conger] were handed to your compiler on a "Silver platter," thanks to Era (Conger) Jones [sister of Elijah Hagens Conger], who let me copy the books one at a time. Why did I, Helen Maxine Crowell Leonard, get involved, when I am not a Conger -- my closest relationship is that of my great grandmother, Mary (Conger) Croel, born 1814, in Monroe county, Ohio?I have been "Conger Conscious" since about the age of eight. I, with my folks, visited the cemetery in Monroe county, Iowa, where Mary is buried with her son, Wilbur, and his wife, Margaret, my grandparents. As I stood beside her grave I had the strongest feeling about her -- the urge to know her. I liked the sound of the name CONGER. I knew that in some say she was very special.
In 1956, I was stricken with Rheumatoid Arthritis and was bed ridden for three months, as stiff as a board. Through prayer, food supplements, exercise and diet I was able to assume a fairly normal life. Five foot operations alleviated a lot of pain, and both hands and wrists were restored to good use through surgery. Through all this I needed something to occupy my time and mind and genealogy seemed to be the answer.
I "met" Era Jones through correspondence, and in 1962 we had the opportunity to visit her. It was then I began copying her books. When I finished I thought, "Someone should index all this," for it was impossible to find anything specific. And so, I made file cards for everyone, and recorded the Conger spouses. Every place my husband's Army travels took us, I looked for Congers and interviewed them.
My husband retired from the service in 1967 and we settled in Janesville, Iowa. I had no idea what to do with the records, for I really didn't know any Congers. I thought of typing all the material and sending copies to the Library of Congress and the Genealogical Library in Salt Lake City, UT and keep a copy for myself.
Then in July 1968 I received a letter from Beach Conger of Pleasantville, New York. He was planning to update his line, that of Job, which Charles Greenwood Barker Conger had published in 1903. He heard of me through correspondence and wondered if I could help him. When he learned what I had, he offered to finance the publication if we worked together to put all the Conger material into one book.
Since Beach lived near a large library, I suggested he search telephone directories for Congers throughout the country. This he began to do and contacted about 150 people of this name. For six months he sen material to be cataloged -- and then he died on 6 Jan 1969. Marion, his widow, sent me his files, which contained the booklets of "Job A. Conger and his Descendants, by Ivan Albert Conger and the story of "Norman Hurd Conger," by Roger N. Conger (included in Volume One of CFA, with their permission).
Lauren Tenney Conger of Lake Forest, Illinois, came to my rescue by helping with the telephone directory search in Chicago -- and my slipping me a couple of $10.00 bills to help defray the gigantic postage costs. Later, I spent an entire day in the St. Louis library to finish the project. About a 1,000 Congers were contacted; over 2500 letters have been written. In this way the past three or four generations have been added to the existing records.
Special credit goes to the following people for many hours of research -- reading census reports on microfilm, checking courthouse records, writing letters and personally interviewing people: Marion Barton for checking all the Vermont Vital Statistics and libraries; Geneva Clark, finding and identifying the Congers of Marion county, Kentucky; Willa Dean Eaves for research in Georgia; Beulah Frehner and daughter, Connie Money for finding the missing link to establish Jonas Conger in Georgia; Leona Robertson and Lesba Thompson for finding the descendants of Jonathan Conger of Pike county, Indiana and proving him for DAR; (William) Russell Conger for further search of the Ohio branch; and Geary H. Worth and Don Ruth Merritt for checking Tennessee census films.
(Joseph) Clyde Conger went that extra mile to round up the descendants of Lucius Lee Conger in Mississippi; Sidney Conger Mendenhall has kept records of James Westfall Conger's descendants from Kansas. Mary E. Woods has done a splendid job in preserving the records of the descendants of Abijah Conger from Athens, Georgia. Many letters were written by Noel William Conger to find the descendants of Colvin Conger of New York. Ivan Albert Conger kept the descendants of Job A. Conger together by an annual family reunion at his home in Owoso, Michigan.
Although Abraham H. Conger, 1810, of Lowndes county, Georgia, cannot be linked to John Belconger, his prolific posterity has kept in close contact and John Robert Conger prodded them into submitting their records.
There are many others too numerous to mention.
Now, after 120 years, several thousand dollars, and the devoted efforts of many kinsmen, "THE CONGER FAMILY OF AMERICA" is assembled into one cover. I personally have not done much research; I make no claims of any kind. I have compiled the existing material, which undoubtedly contains errors. In many instances additional children have been found, so the reader must bear in mind that these records are not necessarily complete; none probably ever will be. When known, the religious denomination is given as an aid in directing further search and verification.
This is only the beginning! There should be a supplement every five years, giving additions and corrections. The family should become "Conger Conscious" and make sincere efforts to keep individual records henceforth. There should be more family reunions to preserve our rich heritage. Seek out your Conger cousins wherever you go. Unless there is another volunteer, I promise to continue in the roll of "compiler" so long as I am able. If I have no successor, the records will be donated to the Genealogical Society of Salt Lake City, UT.
(Source: The Conger Family of America, Vol. I, p. 3a-4a - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
RESEARCHER-REFERENCE: Helen Maxine (Crowell) Leonard was the author of the massive (844 page): "The Conger Family of America, Vol. I" which she published in 1972. She listed her name on this work as: Maxine Crowell Leonard. At least 838 copies were made. One of two copies at the Library of Congress bears the number, 456. The LOC call number is: CS71 .C7515 1972 Vol. 1. This book has several sections. The largest section is an alphabetized grouping of family group sheet data on Conger families. Another section is an alphabetized grouping of family group sheet data about the families that Conger women married.In 1992, Mrs. Leonard published the 725 page, "The Conger Family of America, Vol. II." This volume is also available at the Library of Congress. In the front of this volume is a list of some of the places where copies of Volume I can be found.
In 1994, she published "The Conger Confabs - Quarterly Newsletters - 1975-1994." A bound copy is available at the Library of Congress, call number, CT275 .C7623 C66. One of the issues contains a fairly comprehensive list of places where Volume I of CFA can be found. The publication of the issues of the newsletter she had edited for so many years was the culmination of more than a quarter century of, interest in, and dedication to the history and genealogy of the Conger family. Maxine passed the role of newsletter editor to Job Conger in 1996.
Anyone interested in the Conger family of America owes a debt of gratitude to Helen Maxine (Crowell) Leonard for her monumental contributions toward recording information about this family
Richard E. Henthorn, working with Robert Guilinger, Joyce Posey and other Conger researchers, attempted to extract all of the information about the Congers who lived in Monroe County, OH and Appanoose County, IA, from the two volumes and the Conger Confabs, and enter it into the Personal Ancestral File.
(Written by Richard E. Henthorn, 4 Nov 1998)
PUBLIC_SERVICE: Meeting of the Conger-Gregation is no ordinary family Reunion; by Lawn Griffiths, Assistant State Editor of unspecified publication.Janesville, [IA] -- There are family reunions, and then there is a Conger-Gregation.
The second national Conger-Gregation was the July 4th weekend [1978] at the Riviera Ballroom in Janesville, a time to celebrate membership in a family that goes back about 10 generations in America.
The 171 who came from 18 states and Canada played "Congo," instead of Bingo, poked around in other branches of the family tree, and briefed each other on what they know about the Conger dynasty.
The two-day gathering, promoted for the past couple years by the quarterly "Conger Confab" newsletter, brought together many people who had never met. The national reunion was a follow-up to the first staged five years ago here. Regional Conger reunions are regularly held coast to coast for the far-flung descendants of John Conger who arrived in American in 1640.
The major force behind the Congers' celebration of common roots is Maxine Crowell Leonard of Janesville whose great-grandmother was a Conger.
Mrs. Leonard's painstaking efforts at compiling the family's history and lineage records, then publishing a 924-page book, have made her the keystone in the bridge that has brought the scattered family into a common sense of oneness.
She spent four years compiling the information for "The Conger Family of America." For two years she devoted four to seven hours daily typing the manuscript.
Then for an average of 12 hours a day for three months Mrs. Leonard personally printed the book's pages on her home mimeograph. It was hand-bound -- all 800 copies -- in Waverly. That was done five years ago, just in time for the first every national Conger-Gregation.
Like what happens when a mother bakes a couple dozen cookies for a big party on Saturday afternoon, the Conger clan gobbled up the books. The 800 copies went so quickly that the last one for sale was given away in a raffle at the reunion a week ago Saturday. Tickets for a chance at the last book went for $1 each.
The reunion featured a table with Conger memorabilia, books and looseleaf notebooks containing articles noting famous or interesting Congers, and plenty of pictures of people who represent leaves on the family tree.
Mrs. Leonard says the most prominent Conger is considered to be Clement Ellis Conger, 65, White House curator since ???? and former deputy chief of protocol under President Nixon. So far, he hasn't attended a Conger-Gregation, but Mrs. Leonard corresponds with him.
But at the national reunion again was Duane R. Conger of Tenino, Wash., dressed up in full Revolutionary War costume. His authentice garb is a reminders to the family that 23 Conger ancestors fought in the American Revolution - though not all fought for the cause of the colonists. Some were Tories.
Moreover, Congers have fought in every war since the French and Indian War (1754-1763).
Duane Conger put the outfit together for the Bicentennial and wore it to 25 parades or events. He considers that by wearing the $1,500 costume, complete with his own handmade tools, and carrying a smooth bore musket named Brown ?, he's paying honor to his own family and can help educate people about the war for independence.
He's a member of the 3rd Regiment of the New Jersey Brigade, descendants of an outfit that fought in the Revolution. Conger also participates in state cutting matches with his musket.
The eight generation American Conger, roamed around the reunion party room at the Riviera, posed for pictures and answered a litany of questions about soldiering 200 years ago. He admits the Bicentennial enthusiasm has gone flat, but expects it will make somewhat of a comeback in 1981, the 200th anniversary of the end of the war.
What's it feel like to be inside of the uniform? "It's completely miserable," he says, mopping his brow.
Another person appearing at the gathering was Jerry Conger of Washington, Ill., the family member Mrs. Leonard says, "is such an inspiration to us." The 42-year-old man is a quadriplegic, paralized below the neck as result of an accident at the age of 15. He broke his neck when he dived into the Ohio River at Monclare, Ill., and struck the bottom.
[Note: The article include 3 photographs: one of Maxine Crowell Leonard holding a copy of The Conger Family of America; one of Duane Conger in uniform in front of what appears to a Conger Family of America quilt; and one of Jerry and Vickie Conger.]
(Source: undated clipping, republished in Conger Confab, Vol. IV, No. 3, Sep 1978)
PUBLIC_SERVICE: (Helen) Maxine Crowell Leonard Announces Retirement as Editor of "Conger Confabs."SO LONG, FAREWELL-- ... and thank you, CONGER COUSINS, for the happiest 25 years of my life! Our blessings have been numerous. Few compilers of family history have been fortunate enough to actually meet the people they write about. We have.
We have travelled coast to coast and border to border, a-Congering all the way. Most of this has been written up and pictured in the "Conger Confab."
We have also had the privilege of hosting six Conger-gregations at Janesville, [IA] and Waverly, until 1990. Then health problems for both of us cancelled them. Larry is now 79 and I, 77.
"The Conger Family of America," Volumes I (1972) and II (1992) are first in alphabetical format. The index gives each person's statistics. These two features were divinely inspired. I also believe putting 20 years of the "Conger Confabs" into book form and indexed is a first.
It is time now for the "Baby Boomers" to take over, and I have confidence that Job Conger, IV, is the one to lead them. With his computer and many talents and energy he will breathe new life into the "Conger Confab."
I shall continue as a "consulting secretary" as mail comes in and Job's address is better known.
Book orders should continue to come to me. CFA II is $35.00 pp and only 60 are left. The "Conger Confabs" books are gone. Like CFA I, they will never be reprinted, but all three books are on film [and can be requested] at your local LDS Family History Center. (ML)
(Source: Conger Confab, Dec 1996, p. 80 - furnished by Robert Guilinger)OBITUARY:
Helen Maxine (Crowell) Leonard
Waverly, IowaBorn in Des Moines, Iowa on April 5, 1919
Died in Waverly, Iowa on October 2, 2005
Burial services held October 6, 2005 at Oakland Cemetery, Janesville, IowaThe following is transcribed, with permission from the obituary posted by Kaiser-Corson Funeral Homes Inc. web page. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maxine's daughters and son during this time of loss.
Helen Maxine Leonard drew her first breath on April 5, 1919 in Des Moines, Iowa and returned to her Heavenly Father during the early morning hours of October 2, 2005 while in hospice care at the Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly, Iowa
Maxine was the daughter of Henry and Violet (Wright) Crowell. She spent her first 25 years engaged in a flurry of creative activities ranging from becoming an award winning drummer in her high school orchestra and marching band, singing as a regular on a Saturday morning "Teen Frolic" radio broadcast on (radio station) WHO when Ronald Reagan was a D.J., writing a regular column for her school newspaper and modeling for magazines that were being published in Des Moines at the time.
In 1944 she married Laurence Otto Leonard and began her journey as a career military man's wife, welcoming the opportunity to live in many places and meet and make many new friends.
In her late thirties, Maxine was stricken with acute rheumatoid arthritis, found herself bedridden and with little hope given from the traditional mainstream medical world. Never complaining, she began what became a lifelong exploration of the alternative remedies and treatments with great success. During this time she discovered a passion for researching family history and published 13 books on the subject -- several in rare book libraries on the east coast. Later she was asked to write the history of Janesville during the year of their 125th celebration. For 20 years, Maxine wrote and published her church newsletter as well as a family quarterly and a newsletter for Larry's cavalry unit, still finding time to sing in the Sweet Adeleines and direct the Waterloo Mothers Chorus.
In retirement, Maxine loved traveling here and abroad, visiting old friends and family as much as she reveled in the private tranquility of her country home, with a cat purring in her lap while she and Larry identified birds at the bird feeder.
Maxine is survived by her birth son, Brant Warren Leonard of Travers City, Michigan, Hans Martin (Joyce) Leonard of Green Ridge, Missouri, and Karin Maria Leonard of Cedar Falls, Iowa whom they adopted as children while they were stationed in Austria, as well as 9 grandchildren and her cat. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved partner, Larry, her prankster brother Floyd Crowell, her precious boy Brian and her 15 year old lightfilled granddaughter Adrianne Leonard Eacret.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2005 at 1:00 p.m. at the Good Shepherd Chapel (Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community) in Waverly, with Ken Shaw presiding. Burial will be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Janesville. Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home in Waverly and also for an hour before services on Thursday at the Good Shepherd Chapel. Please direct memorials to the Cedar Valley Hospice or http://www.kaisercorson.com/
EULOGY:
STILL THE BOSS
EULOGY OF MAXINE LEONARD
OCTOBER 6, 2005
JOSEPH BEENKENKarin, Brant and Hans this is a great honor to be standing here today. Thank you.
The banner on the casket spray "Still the Boss" came about the other day as the Hospice staff was moving Maxine on her bed and she said "Don’t move me" and just to leave her lay the way she was. Karin told her "Don’t worry Mommy, your Still the Boss."
Maxine felt reading the obituary was unnecessary since we’ve all read it before the service starts. So if you haven’t read it, do so later. Hers was an amazing life. And if you haven’t see the life album that she put together look at that.
I worked in business for 30 years and endured annual performance appraisals. Inevitably they will focus on the last couple of months instead of that year or an entire career. So within a few minutes today I want to share not the life of Maxine but the last couple of years of the 25 years that Sheryl and I knew Maxine. First as the chorister of the Cedar Falls congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and finally as the closest thing to a Mother and Grandmother to both of us. Sheryl or I saw her at least twice a week for one reason or another the past several years.
The picture over there fits so into her plan as the "Boss" to go home to our Heavenly Father at this time of year. She would receive therapeutic massages from my wife or me on our portable table in her living room. Each time she sat up on the table she would look at that picture and say. "Isn’t it beautiful?" I want to sit here for a second, this is the perfect angle for me to see the path and the beauty of the fall colors." The clothing that you saw her earthly body in was a part of her Path. They are the temple robes of a faithful Christian and member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and reflect a deep commitment to God and His Son Jesus Christ. She wears them because of her absolute belief in the eternalness of Mankind and the day of Resurrection we all look forward to.
Last night I got on the computer and typed a search for my name Joe Beenken and found nothing. I typed Maxine Leonard and found several references to her and the books that she and Larry published. I found that the Conger family already mourns the loss of it’s genealogical matriarch. And this photo of her with the Conger plate (photo at the funeral). "Still the Boss."
Three weeks ago she told me that she felt ashamed to pray to Heavenly Father for healing when so many had lost so much in Hurricane Katrina. So family wishes of memorials being sent to storm relief is so poignantly appropriate. "Still the Boss."
Maxine was always "the Boss." Whether it was writing and mailing a letter to every member of the US House and Senate this past spring telling them what was wrong with major government policy issues and how to fix them. She told them all to give up their last self-given pay raise and use that money to fund the notch baby social security problem. She knew it wouldn’t happen but "you get the government you deserve".
Engaging her in a logical debate on a subject soon showed you that for a woman in her mid 80’s her mind was sharper than most of ours every will be. If you were ever given one of your congressional letters to read. Or told to "sit down on the couch" and "asked to" listen to her read the letter you were always amazed at the clarity of thought and the subtle humor she used on the politicians. "Always the Boss."
Last year when her drivers license came due, she was worried about getting it renewed but needed it for when she would go to the dentist or optician. Medical doctor trips where not a concern. She had no high blood pressure, no diabetes, no aches or pains. She had asked the Lord for no pain with the severe rheumatoid arthritis she had and he had granted her prayer, so no pain pills or antibiotics. With the bones in her toes removed because of the arthritis she walked with a wobble. And this is what the license inspector saw and so required her to take a driving test. To a lot of us the inspector wanted to fail her "AN OLD LADY" and did for not signaling a turn 150 foot before an intersection. Maxine didn’t give up. Another week another driving test. Another here’s why I’m failing you this time. Another week another driving test. Another here’s why I’m failing you this time. Maxine could keep taking the test and wear her down or do the appeal process. The state of Iowa got the appeal letter with wording of "age discrimination." A different inspector was assigned and Maxine passed the driving test. "Always the Boss."
She had dearly hoped to see the new Latter-day Saint chapel being built here in Waverly and somehow attend church services there. She was so happy when people would take her there or show her pictures. The Church will be completed in January with an open house in the spring for all to see. When we go to the cemetery later the procession will past by the Church for her. "Still the Boss."
She had a great way of asking for a favor or an errand. Sometimes you really thought that you were volunteering instead of being told that you would do it. "Always the Boss."
Many of us can remember that cute little tilted head when she didn’t understand what we had just said. It wasn’t that she needed a hearing aid - we just need to speak up and be directly in front of her. So what did we do - Stand Straighter and Speak Louder. "Always the Boss."
She showed a deep respect and love for the freedoms of this great nation and a deep concern for it’s future. If you went to her apartment at night she was always watching the world news and commentaries. She would quiz you on your views and knowledge of the days events. She knew the names of the party leaders both the House and Senate, the voting history and names of the Supreme Court judges and many others. If you thought she was a Republican you where wrong. She could get just as mad at them as at the Democrats. She was the American we all should strive to be. And yes the TV was loud. "Still the Boss."
Maxine saw material needs at Bartels and quietly filled them with purchases. The big screen TV in the Eichorn House dining room is there because the old one didn't have close captioning and she thought the residents should have that. The Lord sent her some money in the mail that she didn’t think she was getting one day and so the TV happened. The fish aquarium in Linden Place is there so that the folks there can have something to look at. The TV in Woodland Terrance was given for the same reason. The flower lamps "where ever they are now here at Bartels" for the same reason - to help others to be more comfortable.
So to sum up Maxine’s performance appraisal I read from St Matthew in the King James Bible that she so loved. Mathew chapter 25: 15 - 21.
In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
[Note: Mrs. Leonard was the publisher of the two-volume, The Conger Family of America (often called "The CFA.") She was also the editor, publisher of the Conger Family newsletter, The Conger Confab.]
COMMENT:
Reasearcher, Richard E. Henthorn, was fortunate to obtain copies of both editions of The CFA. Over a period of many months he entered most of the information from these two volumes into his Personal Ancestral File. Later, he loaded the data into the RootsMagic genealogy program. Much additional data was added to his Conger file from information published by deceased Conger researchers and from information shared by many living Conger researchers in the United States and Canada. REH]COPYRIGHT: This report, created from the RootsMagic genealogy file of Richard E. Henthorn, is copyrighted by the compiler. This means you can't post a PDF report created by Mr. Henthorn on the Internet or sell any reports shared with you without his written permission. Thank you for your consideration.
Richard E. (Edson) Henthorn
5403 76th Avenue
Hyattsville, MD 20784-1705
Email: Dick.Henthorn@gmail.com
Laurence Otto LeonardAKA: Larry
RESIDENCES: In the 1970's, Rural Route, Janesville, IA 50647
MILITARY: After 26 years of service, Larry Leonard retired from the U.S. Army on 1 Nov 1967, holding the rank of Master Sergeant, Regular Army and Captain, Reserves. He had been completely around the world, serving in the CBI theater, Austria and Korea. Due to combat disability and hearing loss he was released as an officer and given limited service as a master sergeant.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)OCCUPATION: After retirement he tried farming but found the work too strenuous. In the 1970's he was engaged in a Dairy Queen business.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
OBITUARY: Goodbye Larry Leonard!
I met the man fewer times than many readers of this newsletter. Larry Leonard, husband of "Conger Confab" creator, Maxine Leonard, enthusiastic supporter of her decades of labor on behalf of Congers worldwide, died August 16, 1998. In tribute to this stellar example for the best of us who remain to emulate, following is the text that was originally printed in the program of Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, Waverly, IA."Laurence Otto Leonard, 70, died 16 August 1998 of bronchitis and kidney failure. He was admitted to Covenant Medical Center on 27 July, one day before his 54th wedding anniversary. He was given two partial dialysis treatments, but declined to do further treatment. He was transferred to the Cedar Falls Health Care Center on August 12, where he died.
Larry was born 14 November 1917 at Slayton, Murray County, Minnesota, son of Otto Rudolph Leonard and Vera Margaret Willson. His father died when Larry was five years old. He and his sister, Bernice Leonard Dorsey (deceased), were raised by their grandparents in Sabula, Iowa, where he graduated from high school.
He joined the Iowa National Guard in the 113th Cavalry in Des Moines, Iowa, where the unit was inducted into federal service in January 1941 and sent to Camp Bowie, TX. In 1944 he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant at Fort Riley, Kansas and was assigned to the Texas 124th Cavalry. They were sent to Burma with mules to aid them on their trek of 500 miles over mountains and through jungles to their combat area. He was wounded in action by deliberately standing up to draw fire upon himself, allowing another platoon to withdraw to safety. He was hospitalized five months in India. He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
He was married 28 Jul 1944 at Des Moines, Iowa to (Helen) Maxine Crowell, a week before going overseas. After the war he returned to Des Moines where he spent five months building a house with the aid and instruction of Maxine's father.
The next eight months he gained experience in retail and wholesale popcorn processing and sales. He learned to process popcorn from the field to the finished product for sale to the public, manufactured caramel corn, candies, etc. He also sold popcorn machines to theaters and confectioners, and learned the management of retail popcorn and candy stores. He helped plan, set up and establish five retail stores, including the one on "the hill" in Cedar Falls.
In 1947 a special offer to combat wounded veterans gave them a permanent administrative Master Sergeant rating in the Regular Army. With five years of service behind him, he accepted and retired with this rank on 1 November 1967 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He held the rank of Captain in the Reserve Army.
In 1958 while attached to the Iowa National Guard in Cedar Falls, the couple bought a 220 acre farm in Janesville, IA. Still in the service, Larry took an Animal Science course at Hawkeye Tech, but two months after graduation he signed a three year lease for the Cedar Falls Dairy Queen. Later he had the Janesville Cafe for two years. Meanwhile he leased the farm land.
He was a member of the American Legion Post #522 in Janesville and the Joe W. Cretzmeyer V.F.W. Post #2208 in Waverly. He also was a member of the Disabled American Veterans and the Ex-China, Burma, India Veterans.
The couple had two sons born in Des Moines: Brian Maurice, born 14 Aug 1946 and Brant Warren born 25 Jun 1949. Brian died of polio on 14 September 1952 while Maxine was awaiting port call to join Larry on assignment in Austria. While there they adopted Hans Martin Leonard, now of Green Ridge, Missouri and Karin Maria Leonard, now of Cedar Falls. Brant lives in Traverse City, Michigan. Since Adrianne "Adee" Eacret died 30 August 1996, there are nine living grandchildren and two great grandchildren."
Funeral services for Larry were held August 20th at Kaiser-Corson Funeral Home, Waverly, IA. Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Janesville, IA.
Maxine was assisted during the crisis by Ivan Conger and his wife. Her children also came to help as well. Over the phone Maxine reports that she is driving again for the first time in some years and sounds as healthy as she's ever sounded over the phone. Karin still visits regularly. I will personally miss the sound of Larry picking up the phone when I called.
(Source: Conger Confab, Volume III, No. 11, Issue 149, September 1998 - written by Editor, Job Conger)
17071. Brian Maurice Leonard
Brian Maurice LeonardDEATH-HEALTH_HISTORY: Died of polio, 14 Sep 1952.
17072. Hans Martin Leonard
Hans Martin LeonardADOPTION: While Larry and Maxine Leonard were serving in the military in Austria they adopted, Hans Neumann and Karin Stoiser, ages 6 and 3.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)RESIDENCES: Route 1; Janesville, IA 50647
17073. Brant Warren Leonard
Brant Warren LeonardADOPTION: While Larry and Maxine Leonard were serving in the military in Austria they adopted, Hans Neumann and Karin Stoiser, ages 6 and 3.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
17074. Karin Maria Leonard
Karin Maria LeonardADOPTION: While Larry and Maxine Leonard were serving in the military in Austria they adopted, Hans Neumann and Karin Stoiser, ages 6 and 3.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard)
Jack Bower MartinOCCUPATION: Doctor of Optometry
ORGANIZATIONS: Active in Lions Club; Glenn Miller Birthplace Society; Partners in America work in Yucatan, Mexico
HOBBIES: Talented in woodworking, stained glass art
17075. Katherine Marie Martin
Katherine Marie MartinOCCUPATION: Elementary teacher
EDUCATION: B.S. and M.S.F. degrees from Drake University
ORGANIZATIONS: Active in P.E.O., Mensa
HOBBIES: Interested in Talented and Gifted Education; liked needlework, plants and travel
13042. Bruce C. Bubp
Bruce C. BubpMILITARY: U.S. Army in Korea
EDUCATION: 2 years of college
OCCUPATION: Personnel manager
HOBBIES: Liked music, soloist
ORGANIZATIONS: Member American Foundryman's Society; VFW
RESIDENCES: As of Sep 1998, 236 South Main; Saint Marys, OH 45885-2207
Barbara L. LynchEDUCATION: 1 year college
OCCUPATION: Supvr Material Control
ORGANIZATIONS: Alter [sic] Society
17086. Brian P. Bubp
Brian P. BubpQUESTION: Could the middle initial have been "F."?
13044. Ralph Lloyd Conger
Ralph Lloyd CongerPARENTS: James Lloyd Conger and Serena Grace Bromley
Birth: Batch #: 1760781, Source Call #:
8 Mar 1900, Ralph Lloyd Conger, Rooks, KansasEDUCATION: graduated from Fort Hays State College, Hays, KS
OCCUPATION: Coach at Glen Elder and Smith Center high schools. Freshman coach at Kansas University at Lawrence, KS. In 1938 took over the duties of head coach at Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington, MO.
DEATH: In Nov 1941, after the start of the 2nd quarter of a Kemper-Wentworth football game at Boonville, MO, Capt. Conger leaned forward to speak to a subsitute player. The player evidently did not hear him and as he started to call again, he fell back against a player sitting on the bench. Death followed within 30 seconds, due to a blood clot in the heart. At the half the members of the team were informed of his death. They continued to play, but Kemper won 14-0.
(Source: The Conger Family of America - Maxine Crowell Leonard, Vol. 2)Problem: Maxine Crowell Leonard recorded that he died in Boonville, Howard Co., MO. Boonville is in Cooper Co., MO. There is also a place called: Boonesboro, Howard Co., MO. Did he die in Boonville?
OBITUARY: Sound Taps for Ralph L. Conger Last Thursday - Call Comes as he Directs Wentworth Football Team - Heart Attack is Fatal
Final Services Held at Natoma on Sunday, November 23, with a Large and Sorrowful Throng in AttendanceSuddenly, tragically, and without warning, death called Capt. Ralph L. Conger, last Thursday afternoon. The final summons came after the start of the second quarter of the Kemper - Wentworth football game at Boonville, Mo. Capt. Conger, coach of the Wentworth squad, had leaned forward to speak to a substitute player. The player evidently did not hear him and as he started to call again, he fell back against a player sitting near him on the bench. Death followed within thirty seconds, according to Dr. D.B. Payne, Wentworth team physician.
The sudden death was due to a blood clot in the heart. Reports are Conger had been under treatment for high blood pressure, there had been no previous indication of any especially serious condition.
At the half members of the Wentworth team were informed of the death of their coach, but decided it would have been his wish that they continue the game, which they did, grief-stricken and bewildered. Kemper won the game by a score of 14 t 0, both scores being made against the saddened Wentworth team during the last half.
Captain Conger was 41 years of age, a native of Natoma, [KS]. He graduated from Ft. Hays State College, was a coach at Glen Elder and Smith Center high schools, freshman coach at Kansas University at Lawrence, and three years ago took over the duties of head coach at Wentworth Military Academy at Lexington, Mo. Mrs. Conger and their son and daughter survive.
After services at Lexington, last rites were held at Captain Conger's old home town, Natoma, last Sunday, November 23, before a large and sorrowful throung of relatives and intimate friends. Friends from Smith Center were in attendance. Burial was in the cemetery near Natoma, the chaplain from Wentworth conducted services.
Ralph L. Conger came to Smith Center, [KS] in 1927 as a high school coach, leaving her to take charge of freshman football at Kansas University in 1937. During his stay here he left the indelible imprint of his clean, strong personality upon the hearts and minds of the hundreds of boys and girls who came in contact with him at the school. As a coach of football, Conger knew few equals and the clean, hard play of his teams became almost legendary in this section. But perhaps that was the least important of his accomplishments. He had a spirit, a will to win, a determination to succeed that did not recognize the loss of a game as defeat but merely an obstacle to be overcom. Into his charges he inculcated this same spirit, to apply not only to football but to all the trials and vicissitudes that life may have to offer.
He was a friend, a confident, not only of the members of his football squad but of all the students. His ready smile, and kindly , cheerful words have smoothed and made clear many a rough and perplexing problem. He spoke pleasantly, his tongue, keen and caustic when the occasion demanded, was never harsh. He held the love and respect of all the students during his many years here and likewise the admiration and high regard of the whole community.
With his family and friends, the whole community mourns the sudden and untimely death of Captain Conger. His memory is forever imprinted on the minds and hearts of his countless friends and acquaintances and will serve as a lasting monument of the high esteem and respect in which he was universally held.
[Note: Natoma, Hays, Glen Elder and Smith Center are all located in Kansas. REH]
(Source: unknown paper (probably Smith Center, KS), undated, included a photograph - Conger Confabs, Dec 1996, p. 75 - furnished by Robert Guilinger)
Freda Lucile BrooksEDUCATION: B.S. Education 1924 Fort Hays State College, Hays, KS
OCCUPATION: taught elementary school for 20 years in Lexington, MO; taught 5 years in Camarillo, CA
17087. Patricia Lucile Conger
Patricia Lucile CongerPARENTS: Ralph Lloyd Conger and Freda Lucile Brooks
NAME-ERROR: Patricia Lucile Conger, (not Patricia Louise Conger).
(Source: Conger Confab, March 2001, p. 307)
17088. Kendall Kaye Lloyd Conger
Kendall Kaye Lloyd CongerPARENTS: Ralph Lloyd Conger and Freda Lucile Brooks
MILITARY: USMC 1953-1955
EDUCATION: M.S. Engr at UCLA 1965
OCCUPATION: Engineer
HOBBIES: Ran in the Boston Marathon in 1979, Climbed all 13 California peaks over 14,000 feet 1976-1980
MARRIAGE: The last digit in the marriage year for the marriage to Dixie Ann Hansen is hard to read (CFA II, p. 154). It is probably a "3," 1953. Corrected to 3 Oct 1955 in Conger Confab, March 2001, p. 307.
DIVORCE: The marriage of Kendall Conger and Dixie Hansen ended in divorce.
RESIDENCES: Camarillo, CA