14002. David Mc Farland Dodd
David McFarland DoddRESEARCHER: David McFarland Dodd was interested in genealogy. He owned a copy of CFA II and planned to get a copy of CFA I. He subscribed to the Conger Confab and owned a bound volume of the 1975-1994 issues.
MARRIAGE: 14 Jul 1956 at the Bethel Presbyterian Church in Van Buren, Washington Co., PA.
CHILDREN: Three children
RESIDENCES: As of May 1998, 1500 Church Avenue; Brockway, PA 15824
Mary Lou CainPARENTS: Mary Lou Cain was a foster child. Her place of birth and the name of her parents are unknown as of Jul 1998. (Furnished by David M. Dodd)
14011. Ronald Murray
RESIDENCES: As of July 1998: Babylon, NY
14012. Richard Murray
RESIDENCES: Speculator, NY
14022. Charles Thomas Stevens
Charles Thomas StevensAKA: Tom
MILITARY-HEALTH_HISTORY: Tom Stevens served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army from Aug 1955 until blindness caused his retirement in 1971.
RESEARCHER: Charles T. (Tom) Stevens was interested in the Wright and Conger families. He shared data with the Henthorn / Bolerjack project.
RESIDENCES: 1203 South Fairview Road; Columbia, MO 65203-0809
BIOGRAPHY:
Charles Thomas (Tom) Stevens attended Southwest Missouri State at Springfield, Green Co., MO. He entered into the advanced Army ROTC program and became one of its leaders. Tom graduated in 1955.In August 1955, he entered the U.S. Army as a new Lieutenant and Helen joined him in the fall at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. Their oldest son, Mark, was born in the U.S. Army Hospital at Fort Jackson, SC. Tom was assigned to duty in Germany and Helen and Mark joined him there in 1958. During the time in Ausburg, Germany Tom and Helen's two younger children, Diana and Eric were born. The family took occasional trips into the less known places in Germany and greatly enjoyed their stay in that country. Tom served in Germany for five years before returning to the U.S. in July 1963.
Stationed again at Fort Benning, GA, the little family grew under Helen's watchful eye. They remained there during Tom's first tour in Vietnam. Next they moved to Rolla, MO where they lived for two years, one of those being Tom's second year in 'Nam.
In 1971, after living for several months in Denver, CO Tom's blindness brought a departure from military life. The family returned to Springfield, MO where Mark graduated from high school in 1974.
Both Tom and Helen reenrolled at Southwest Missouri State, contemplating possible new careers. In 1974, they moved to Columbia, MO to continue education with Tom enrolling in College.
(Source: Written by Tom Stevens, summer 1996)
RECOLLECTIONS: Brief Reflections on My Life
Graduating from a small town high school was an expectation of my life. After all, what was there? While an aunt had urged me to think about college, it took rejection by a girl to spur me toward that, a year later.We were a farm family, where my folks share-cropped mostly. We were better off than many, because Mom taught school and there were new shoes for me every fall, although they never came until about three weeks after school started.
I learned a lot about that life and recall it fondly, with frequent urgings to return to a place where the peace and quiet prevail under the naked stars of night. But my life has been far from there.
I did go to college, graduating in 1955, wiht a degree, a commission in the Infantry and my wife. A year later, I had completed Airborne School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina and we were expecting the first of three children.
Less than two years later, we were in Germany, serving with the Infantry, working very hard. We were eventually there five years, getting to see the Passion Play in 1960. Our two younger children were born there.
We came back to Columbus, Georgia for three years, before I went to Vietnam, where I served two one-year tours. The first was with the Vietnamese as advisor and the second was with American troops. I did see some light action and did enjoy the professional challenge.
Eye disorders prevailed and I retired in 1971, after 16 years. College, work, National Federation of the Blind and a combination of those things has followed. I have struggled through two Bachelors degrees, one Masters degree and one Specialist degree. Maybe that will suffice for a lifetime.
Military service brought several awards, including two Purple Hearts and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
My National Federation of the Blind (NFB) work brought some different activity and life today certainly has a different twist than I would have imagined when I graduated from high school.
Today's efforts are multi-dimensional. I am appointed to chair one national committee by the President of the NFB, am elected to preside over the Writers' Division of the NFB, serve on several NFB committees and work in the local chapter. That keeps me going, as does field work for the NFB.
Christian Television Mission has a board and I have chaired it, although my activity is not as great as it could be. Much work is to be done in that area.
Family history and genealogy has interested me recently and that is an ongoing project. It seems that discoveries come every day, then there are times when there are long droughts. But, with what seems to be relatively small effort, the record grows impressively. Now, the task of writing it into a sensible, readable story.
Some wonder about being blind. I have no regrets. I have met hundreds of fine people who I would never have met before. All three of our children graduated from a Bible college and have spouses who have either graduated or attended. Frankly, I doubt that my life has a lot of spare time.
I think that helping people is the primary orientation. For example, our children will have a fairly complete family history, a sense of what people have been. NFB members are urged to enroll people as Associate members as a way of educating them about blindness. Writers' Division members are encouraged to write and people are urged to consider life far beyond this one.
Life? It is to be lived, enjoyed, given and passed through.
Important? Family, accomplishing tasks and meeting needs, gain and maintain personal integrity and meet challenges head-on. Grow some tomatos and beans and flowers, write and read some, never walk alone and take pride in who you are.
(Source: Written by Tom Stevens, summer 1996)
Helen Louise UtterbackBIOGRAPHY:
Helen Louise Utterback was born in sunny Santa Paula, Ventura Co., California on 8 July 1933, the second surviving child of Avery Edwan Utterback and Lafa Ann Manuel. The Utterbacks were both born in Polk County in southwest Missouri. Lafa's Manuel lineage had its roots in South Carolina, thence to Lawrence County, TN, then to Polk County where they farmed. The males in the Manuel family were big men in stature, with some as large as 6'5" and 285 pounds. Helen's maternal grandmother had been born of the Watson clan, which had migrated from near the North Carolina/South Carolina border country to Roane County, TN, then northwest by wagon in 1871 to Polk county, MO.The Utterback and Manuel families lived on the same mail route. Lafa could put a letter in the mailbox to, "Dear Friend Avery" and he would get it that day. Both had strong spiritual ties, which have carried down to their great grandchildren. Marrying in 1919, Lafa and Avery found farming a most difficult task in that era. In 1921, faced with a crop of watermelons that they could not sell, they struck out with four other families for California. The little convoy of five Model-T Fords followed a set of ruts across Oklahoma, Texas and the southwest. There were no gas stations with convenience stores, so they carried all their supplies except gas, camping out as had some of their ancestors who also went to California. Jim, their oldest child, had reached the age of about six months when they started the trip. Lafa Utterback recalls coming across one family which had a baby that died. They all stopped, helped the grieving family hold a burial service "beside the road" and went on.
In California, Avery Utterback became the foreman of an orange ranch. Irrigation, an occasional rattlesnake and other farming adventures are part of Helen's memories of that time.
After Helen graduated from eighth grade, they moved back to Polk County, MO, onto a farm that her parents had bought. She attended Fair Play High, graduating in 1951. She enrolled at Southwest Missouri State College in Springfield, MO in the summer of 1951. Early in 1952, she and Charles T. (Tom) Stevens met at a square dance. They became a couple on the national champion Southwest Missouri State Promenaders square dance team. Helen and Tom married on 27 Dec 1953 at Springfield, Greene Co., MO and soon found that square dancing was great fun but had no career. Helen graduated from Southwest Missouri State in 1954.
While Tom and Helen were stationed in Germany, Helen became very active in the Protestant Women's Group in Augsburg, Germany. At the time, Helen knew nothing of her German ancestry.
After the family returned to the states Helen continued to work in the Christian Church and was often called on to teach classes or to lead a group.
After Tom's blindness resulted in his departure from the military service the family returned to Springfield, MO. Both enrolled again at Southwest Missouri State. Helen, a fine teacher, gained a second BS degree, this one being in Elementary Education, while doing more church work and doing a superlative job as a housewife.
In 1974 after they moved to Columbia, MO, Helen soon became involved in publication of newsletters for members of the National Federation of the Blind, which continues today (1996). With an excellent reading voice and a talent for excellence in the finer details of newsletter publication, Helen was acknowledged in Missouri with awards and commendations for her work.
As a grandmother, she has knitted each of her eight grandchildren an afgan, one of those acts for her family that illustrates her love for them.
Helen has logged many miles on the car as she accompanies Tom to conventions and on family history seeking trips.
An excellent mother, grandmother, cook and helpmate, the stars in her crown are numerous.
(Source: Written by Tom Stevens, summer 1996)
18075. Mark Thomas Stevens
Mark Thomas StevensEDUCATION: Graduate of Glendale High, Springfield, MO; 1979 graduate of Ozark Bible College, Joplin, MO
BIOGRAPHY:
Mark Thomas Stevens was born on 6 Nov 1956 at Columbia, Richland Co., MO. He is one of the fourth great-grandsons of Reuben and Mary Conger Wright. He has continued a splendid tradition of patriotism, initiative and family values.Mark started his kindergarten and first grades in Ausbury, Germany. His next eleven years saw him enrolled in five schools and graduation from Glendale High in Springfield, MO. There he lettered in football and grew toward manhood.
He enrolled at Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO, in the fall of 1974, obtaining both his degree and wife, Marsha Louise Mountcastle, those events coming in 1979 and 1978, respectively.
Next they lived in Johnson City, TN where Mark pursued a degree at Emmanuel School of Religion. He also joined the National Guard as chaplain for the nearby Guard unit.
In 1987, Mark gained an active duty tour in Korea, where he served a year as an Armored company platoon leader and Executive Officer. For this service he won the esteemed Army Commendation Medal. Upon his return from Korea, Mark joined the local National Guard unit, an Artillery Battery. Next he obtained a job as a National Guard administrator at Manhattan, KS, rejoining an Armored unit, his first love. Mark was assigned to command a Guard tank company, which became one of the National Guard's best and received his second Army Commendation Medal.
Later Mark was awarded a third Army Commendation Medal, to go with two Army Achievement Medals. As of 1996, he had been promoted to Major and reassigned to Division Headquarters at Fort Leavenworth, KS.
(Source: Written by Tom Stevens, summer 1996)
RESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, Major Mark T. Stevens of Fort Leavenworth, KS.
Marsha Louise MountcastlePARENTS: Howard and Lovell Mountcastle, living in Crane, MO as of 1996, where Howard continued his career of more than 30 years in the ministry.
EDUCATION: Degree in Music from Ozark Bible College, Joplin, MO. She is an accomplished piano musician.
EDUCATION: In 1987, while Mark was stationed in Korea, Marsha pursued a Master's degree in Music Education at the University of Missouri at Columbia, MO, graduating about 1989 with an exemplary record, while also having worked to help put herself through school.
OCCUPATION: Taught music at the Manhattan Christian College, Manhattan, KS
18076. Diana Lynn Stevens
Diana Lynn StevensBIOGRAPHY:
Diana Lynn Stevens came quickly. Her father took Helen to the Army Hospital in Augsburg, Germany on 16 Jan 1959. He then returned home to take care of Mark who was with a neighbor. Tom relates, "About the time I walked in the door, the phone rang. A nurse at the hosptial told me I was the father of a red-headed baby girl."Diana met Scott Russell Pixler at Ozark Bible College in Joplin, MO, from which they both graduated. They were married in Columbia, MO on 16 Aug 1980. They had a summer internship in Australia and returned there for missionary work immediately after school.
Diana also earned her elementary teaching certificate from Pittsburg State University at Pittsburg, KS.
When her family moved to Lincoln, NE, Diana took a position as Christian Education Director for their church and held the job for two years until she resigned to give more time to the family.
(Source: Written by Tom Stevens, summer 1996)
RESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, Diana L. Pixler of Lincoln, NE
Scott Russell PixlerBIOGRAPHY:
After less than a year in Australia, Scott and Diana returned to the United States where Scott obtained a ministerial position at his home church in Montrose, CO. This is where he and an older brother and sister were raised by his parents, Roy and Jean Pixler.Scott Pixler received a call to the campus ministry at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, Nebraska and as of the summer of 1996 they had been there for several years. Scott believes stongly that the campus ministry is one of the most challenging of ministries. His strength is that of the small group work, where teaching and caring can occur simultaneously.
(Source: Written by Tom Stevens, summer 1996)
18077. Eric Allen Stevens
Eric Allen StevensBIOGRAPHY:
Eric Allen Stevens was bonr on 16 Oct 1961 in Augsburg, Germany at the same hospital where his sister was born. Tom, Eric's father, was a Company Commander at the time of the birth and he was at a command reveille when Helen felt the beginnings of labor pains. "I took myself to the hospital, she recalls. In fact, Eric was born before Tom even knew that Helen had gone to the hospital.Like his sister, Eric started school at Columbus, GA. After high school he spent a year at the University of Missour at Columbia, MO. Then he transferred to Central Christian College of the Bible at Moberly, MO, where he graduated with honors. In May 1994, he attained his Masters degree in Practical Ministry from the Cincinnati Bible Seminary.
As of 1996, he was minister of the Community Christian Church at Linn, MO. Eric and Becky are strong supporters of youth programs and have started one at the two churches where they have served.
(Source: Written by Tom Stevens, summer 1996)
RESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, Linn, MO
Rebecca Lynn AshworthAKA: Becky
PARENTS: Robert and Norma Summers Ashworth, living in Colony, KS as of the summer of 1996. Rebecca is their oldest child.
14023. Virginia Ruth Stevens
Virginia Ruth StevensAKA: Ruth
RESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, V. Ruth Sheeley of Springfield, MO
Charles Beecher SheeleyAKA: Beecher
18078. Steven Mc Alister Sheeley
Steven McAlister SheeleyRESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, Dr. Steven Sheeley of Rome, GA.
18079. Craig Bucknell Sheeley
Craig Bucknell SheeleyRESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, Springfield, MO
18081. Jeffrey Allen Sheeley
Jeffrey Allen SheeleyRESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, Jefferson City, MO
14024. Glenna Maxine Stevens
Glenna Maxine StevensRESIDENCES: As of Apr 1997, Glenna M. Presley of Springfield, MO.
James Robert PresleyAKA: Bob; J. Robert Presley
18082. Rebecca Lou Presley
Rebecca Lou PresleyAKA: As of Apr 1997, Rebecca L. Reed of Ozark, MO.
14036. Roberta Maxine Cole
Roberta Maxine ColeCHRISTENING: Methodist Church
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterian
Albert Karl SewellOCCUPATION: Banker
MILITARY: WWII Veteran
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterian
18084. David Cole Sewell
David Cole SewellOCCUPATION: CPA
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterian
Anne FreidmanSPOUSE: Anne Freidman was the 2nd spouse of David Cole Sewell.
18085. Albert Karl Sewell
Albert Karl Sewell, Jr.OCCUPATION: Banker
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterina
MILITARY: Vietnam veteran
Kathleen Grace O'BrienCHRISTENING: Episcopalian
OCCUPATION: Teacher
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Episcopalian
14037. Margaret Pernecia Cole
Margaret Pernecia ColeCHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterian
Charles Robert MeyerOCCUPATION: CPA
MILITARY: WWII Navy
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterian
18087. Robert Cole Meyer
Robert Cole MeyerRELATIONSHIP: Robert Cole and Steven Charles Meyer were twins.
OCCUPATION: Automobile Exec.
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterian
MILITARY: U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran
Marciana WhitfordCHRISTENING: Christian Church
OCCUPATION: Teacher
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Presbyterian
18088. Steven Charles Meyer
RELATIONSHIP: Robert Cole and Steven Charles Meyer were twins.
14038. Cleo Ruth Cole
Cleo Ruth ColeCHRISTENING: Methodist
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Methodist
William Harry GoldenMILITARY: Career military man, U.S. Army WWII
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Christian Science
18089. Michael Cole Golden
Michael Cole GoldenOCCUPATION: F.A.A.
MILITARY: Air Force, Vietnam
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Methodist
John Sherman CongdonSPOUSE: John Sherman Congdon was the 2nd spouse of Cleo Ruth Cole.
OCCUPATION: Salesman
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Catholic
MILITARY: U.S. Navy in WWII
18090. Rachel Ruth Congdon
Rachel Ruth CongdonCHURCH_AFFILIATION: Methodist
John Thomas BlanscetOCCUPATION: Livestock Buyer
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Methodist
14039. Delbert Ornello Bybee
Delbert Ornello BybeeCHURCH_AFFILIATION: Episcopal
OCCUPATION: Sr. Public Health
Ardell Eliza ScoonoverOCCUPATION: Executive Sec.
CHURCH_AFFILIATION: Methodist
18091. Delbert Ornello Bybee
Delbert Ornello Bybee, Jr.OCCUPATION: Musician
Dorothy Ann BlomeOCCUPATION: Data Management