A singular, and somewhat strange circumstance happened about the time we speak of above, which both then and ever since, has been shrouded in mystery, being in those days a constant theme to talk about by the Crimmey and Cheburn families, and also by many other old quaint folks living in that quarter, who were not very much given to newspaper reading. Philip Crowther, a shoemaker, of Knowlwood, who had been a soldier formerly, then went quarterly along with others to Rochdale to draw his pension, a sum of about 3 pounds, on a certain Monday. He was known to come as far on the road toward home as near the Shanty Huts, at Holme, built near the road side, and was then rather the worse for some drink taken in on the way. But he never landed home again, being much sought for, both in the Rochdale Canal and all about Summit, high and low, but no further trace of him was ever found. The conclusion then and later arrived at, was , that some of the navvies, seeing his condition beguiled him into one of the huts, and there got him to pay for drinks, by which means they discovered that he had money, and afterwards, for the sake of obtaining the little in his possession, stupified and then buried him in the Holme Tip, where at that date the works were going on day and night, and fresh dirt was being constantly deposited, and if such an hypothesis was correct he would be buried deep enough by next morning's dawn. Of course this statement all rests upon the surmises given out at the time, but it was the settled opinion of many people in those times that it was the right one; then if so deposited, in the early part of a winter's evening, the accululations over him would be large when the morning came again. Philip was a most genial and pleasant man to converse with, and then lost; he was withal an intelligent and traveled native man, gone from his family and friends, old soldiers and otherwise.
Philip was born and raised at Howroyd, Dolesgate, Todmorden, who, when a young man, enlisted as a foot soldier, and was then sent to Ireland, being quartered there for some length of time, where he courted and married a woman of the name of Kitty. He probably learnt his trade of shoemaking in the regiment and after obtaining his discharge first came and settled at Gauxholme with his family, and practiced his trade for several years there. In person he was tall and portly, a good looking man, and when under the influence of drink was a most free and open-hearted man, and by mates or friends looked upon as honest and upright. How he died, and where buried, over fifty years ago must always remain an unfathomed mystery in the coming years, or be forgotten as others have been in ages passed.
Several years after the above was written, a Wardle woman who had come to reside in Walsden, told the story of a man that had for many years lived in that place and worked as a coal miner thirty years before, going by the name of "Yorkshire Jim," and lived with a woman to whom he was not married. This man, before his death, made some sort of a confession about being in league with another dodger, and had worked at Summit Tunnel works when Philip Crowther was stunned and buried, but said he did not do it, yet was present and helped to hide the body, and did not reveal the other man's name." ------------------------
A letter from Philip Crowther/Crother b. 1843 to Margaret May Melvin, b. 1888
Santa Barbara, California ---March 8th, 1914
My Dear Niece:
I was very much surprised at the receipt of your letter of inquiry regarding the Crother family. It is a laudable desire to know something of your ancestors but I may say that I know very little more than you do. The name Crother was abridged by your grandfather from the English spelling of the name which was Crowther, why I don't know. I simply followed his example in writing it Crother.
In the early ages of England an instrument of music termed a "Crowth"was used-it was similar to a violin. Players on the instrument were termed "Crowthers" which I believe gave rise to the name. In those days, when scarcely one man out of a thousand could read or write, it must have required rather more intellectual ability to master such an instrument than the great majority possessed.
I never saw my grandfather Crowther [see above HB]--he was a soldier under Lord Hill in the Peninsular War in Spain, was in some 20 battles and survived to be discharged, on the expiration of his enlistment, in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland. While in Clonmel he married an Irish girl by the name of Catharine O'Neill. He took her with him to his native town of Todmorden in the county of Lancashire, England.
They had five children, my father, your grandfather was the eldest, then Uncles William, Eli, Edwin, and one daughter, Elizabeth. Grandmother Kitty O'Neill had a wearisome time among Grandfather's relatives and the people of Todmorden on account or her Irish birth and the fact that she had been brought up as a Roman Catholic in religion.
They were a rough ignorant people of that day and I have heard my father say that before he was born, when his mother was carrying him, she had been refused admittance to the house of relatives there to the use of force by kicks to drive her away, intimidating her to the result of affecting Grandfather's character for courage. The boys had to fight their way among the English boys because they were looked down upon on account of being considered "half Irish" which was cause enough at that day to start a fight at any time or place in England.
Grandfather Philip (after whom I was named) was granted a pension and quarterly used to walk nine miles to Rochdale to draw his pension. His wife Kitty accompanied him. The first railway was being made between Todmorden & Rochdale some four or five miles long through a lonesome section of the country along which G'father and G'mother had to walk. G'father stopped, told his wife to go along and he would overtake her--he was never again seen alive.
Some twenty years after, a man on his deathbed confessed that he with another man who were engaged in unloading dirt drawn up through a shaft from the tunnel had struck Grandfather with some instrument and killed and robbed him for his little pension. They threw him on the dump and unloaded a car of earth on top of his body. This is what I have heard my father tell.
Farther back than Grandfather Philip I cannot go. Uncles William, Eli & Edwin & Aunt Elizabeth are all dead. I am the oldest of the Crowther family now living, three score and ten years old, not much longer to
tarry here--
If you ever visit California and will call on us we shall be very glad to meet you. From your Uncle, Philip Crother -
222 West Islay St.
Santa Barbara, California
- Children of PHILIP CROWTHER and CATHARINE O'NEILL
Philip Crowther born Abt. 1817; died February 7, 1840 in Todmorden, England.
JOHN PHILIP CROTHER, born January 29, 1822 in Stansfield, Todmordon, Lancs., England; died April 9, 1890, in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co. Neb. ..
William Crowther, b Feb 14, 1824, Todmorden Lancs., d Jan 3, 1874, Nemaha, Neb.
- m Priscilla Hodkin no children
Eli Crowther
- Edwin Crowther, b ca 1832, ?Todmorden, Lancs, d 30 May, 1879, Manhattan, NYC, m
( 1). Mary J.
child Annie Crother, born Abt. 1863 in New York.
( 2) Joanna Herring ca.1869.
children
Sarah E. Crother, born Abt. 1871.
unknown Crother, died September 1877.
unknown Crother, died September 1877.
Elizabeth Crother, m. ---Hopwood, “Aunt Lizzie,” brought Auntie’s (E.M Melvin), christening dress from England.It was also worn by Elizabeth Browne, Anitha Watts, Martha Stevens
Second Generation
2. Philip Crowther, born Abt. 1817; died February 7, 1840 in Todmorden, England.: This information from Bert Salter dated 9-21-95, this according to Bert is potentially an older brother of John Philip who died 2-7-1840 of synochus, which his dictionary says is a variety of fever. He was 22 years old at the time of death which makes his birth date 1817. He resided in Butcher Hill, Walsden (which evidentally is a suburb of Todmorden). Catherine Crowther was present at his death, meaning that it could have been his mother or potentially his wife.
3 ii. JOHN PHILIP CROTHER, born January 29, 1822 in Stansfield, Todmordon, Lancs., England; died April 9, 1890 in Nemaha City, Nem ha Co. Neb.John Philip Crother m. 14 Apr 1843, St Chad's, Rochdale, Lancs
- 1. Ruth Fielden, b 28 July 1819, Butcher Hill, Todmorden, Lancs. d 18 Mar 1899, Todmorden
1851 census: Ruth Crowther of Dobroyd aet 31 a dealer in fruits and sweets listed as a wife (no husb)
- ch Philip aet 7, George 5, Hannah M aet 2
1862 listed as fruit seller & confectioner, married, with George aet 16, Daughter Hannah M aet 12, no Philip
1881 listed as md, entry as “widow” was crossed out as well as occ “housekeeper”, son George, s-in-law Arthur Hurst dau Hannah M Hurst & their 9 yr old son Fred Hurst
2.MARIA HODKIN, b England 9 Jun 1833, d Nevada City, CA 6 Aug 1899 According to data given by Keith Fielden of Richmond, VA, John Philip Crother must have come to Nebraska in about 1850, dropping the “W” in his name and leaving wife Ruth and three children in England. “Uncle Philip”, born 1843, came to Nebraska sometime as he was married there in 1873. John Philip Crother made a bigamous marriage to Maria Hodkin, as Ruth didn‘t die until 1899 and there is no record of a divorce.
-
- Last Will and Testament, Dated, April 3 1890, six days before death
In the name of God, amen, I John P. Crother of Nemaha City in the County of Nemaha, State of Nebraska, ..., do make and publish this my last will and testament in ...
- First - I direct my funeral charges, the expenses of administering my estate and all my debts be paid out of my personal peoperty - If that be insufficient I authorize my executor hereinafter named to sell so much
of my real extate as may be necessary for that purpose.
Second - I do give devise and bequest unto my wife Maria H. Crother with
whom I am now living in Nemaha City, all my property both real and personal, and all my estate of any kind whatsoever...at her death the same to belong to and be owned by the following named children of myself and my said wife, Maria H. Crother, that is to say; my daughters Priscilla Jane, wife of James L. Melvin, Annie B., wife of
George Sanders, and my sons Oliver C Crother and John E. Crother. Said property to go to my said children above named in equal proportions share and share alike, and to be held by them in fee simple. My wife
Maria H. Crother to have the right to use during her natural life and as she may deem proper such of the said personal property for the supportof herself and the children
Third - All the rest or residue of any property I may own... I devise and bequeath to my said wife Maria H. Crother to be held and enjoyed by her during her natural life only and on her death to go to the children of myself and
said Maria H. whose names are above given, then to be held by them absolutly.
Fourth - I do appoint James L. Melvin my son-in-law above named the excutor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
In testimony whereof I have hereby set my hand at Nemaha City, Nebraska on this April 3rd 1890.
- The above will was signed and subcribed by the above named John P. Crother on April 3rd 1890 in the presence of the undersigned... done at Nemaha City Nebraska April 3rd 1890
- Witness:
- E.W. Thomas resident of Falls City Nebraska
B. Bell Andrews, Stella, Nebraska [Physician and J.L Melvin's preceptor. HB]
-
- Children by Ruth Fielden:
Philip Crother, b 20 Oct 1843, Dobroyd, Todmorden, Lancs, d 6 Sep 1925, Santa Barbara, Calif
: George Crowther, b 1846, Todmorden, Lancs, d 18 Jun 1900, 13 Industrial St, Todmorden
Hannah M. Crowther, b 1849, m Arthur Hirst
Children by MARIA HANNAH HODKIN (I don't think William & Emma belong here)
William Crother, born 1852 in Michigan; died bef. 1870.
Emma Crother, born April 24, 1854 in New York; died December 8, 1861 in Nemaha City Nemaha Co., NE. (newspaper obituary from the Then Weekly Republican of Omaha, NE dated Wednesday December 11, 1861.)
PRISCILLA JANE CROTHER, born February 1859 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co., NE. d. Bartlesville, Okla. d Feb 16, 1947
John Edwin Crother, born April 1861 in Nemaha City, Nernaha Co., NE; died January 20, 1944 in Los Angeles Co., CA.
Annie Bertha Crother, born June 26, 1863 in Nemaha City, N em a ha Co. NE; died December 15, 1895 in Brownville, Nemaha Co. NE (Nemaha cern).
Catherine Crother, born November 25, 1871 in Nemaha City, N emaha Co., NE; died March 12 in Nemaha City, Nemeha Co., NE.
Notes for Catherine Crother: This information was gleaned from a bible in our possession. It says that Catherine Crother died March 12th at 5 o'clock A.M. Buried in Nerneha City Cemetery March 13th next to Uncle William, A Bright Lovely child
Oliver Charles Crother, born August 12, 1873 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co. NE; died May 10, 1931 in Placer Co, CA (no cern).
6. Philip3 Crowther (John Philip2, Philip1) was born October 20, 1843 in Todmorden, Lancashire, England, and died September 6, 1921 in Santa Barbara, Calif. (Santa Barbara cern). He married Carrie Elizabeth Fisher June 8, 1873 in Nernaha City, Nernaha Co., Neb., daughter of C. Fisher and Mary.
Children of Philip Crowther and Carrie Fisher are:
20 i. Helen4 Crother, born 1874; died February 1880 in Nernaha, Nebraska (Nernaha Cern).
21 ii. Ruth Crother, born 1876; died February 1880 in Nemaha, Nebraska (Nemaha Cern).
22 iii. Mary Crother, born March 1879; died February 1880 in Nemaha, Nebraska, (Nernaha cern). + 23 iv. William George Crother, born April 9, 1880 in Nemaha, Nemaha Co., Nebraska; died November 22, 1936 in Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Co., CA.
24 v. Philip Crother, born November 7, 1881 in Nemaha Co., Nebraska; died May 9, 1901 in Santa Barabara, Calif. (Santa Barbara cern). 25vi. Fred Crother, born July 23, 1884 in Silver City, New Mexico; died September 14, 1920 in Fort Screven, Chatham, GA.
8. Hannah M.3 Crowther (John Philip2, Philipi) was born Abt. 1848 in England. She married Arthur Hirst.
Child of Hannah Crowther and Arthur Hirst is:
26 i. Fred4 Hirst, born Abt. 1872.
11. Priscilla Jane3 Crother (John Philip2 Crowther, Philip1) was born February 1859 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co., NE. She married James Lambert Melvin November 23, 1879, son of J. Melvin and Elizabeth Lambert.
Notes for Priscilla Jane Crother:
The marriage certificate is located in at the clerks office at Auburn, Nemaha Co., and can be found at Marriage book 2.5 at page 500. It was signed by Probate Judge John S. Stull, November 8, 1879. They were married on the 23rd day of November 1879. with George Hodkin and others as witness, residents of Nemaha Co., and Marie D. Henry and others of Nemaha City and Co. by Mathew Henry, Clerk in Holy Orders in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
According to the census records, the family ended up in Guthrie, Logan County, Oklahoma.
Notes for James Lambert Melvin: The following was in a letter from Bert Salter, dated 3/29/94.
According to the 1900 census of Guthrie, Oklahoma, James Melvin was born in June 1856. In the 1885 special Nebraska state census he was a school teacher, but in Guthrie in 1900 and 1910 he was a doctor (general practioner). His wife was identified in all three censuses as Jane or Jennie. They had two daughters, Elizabeth M. Melvin and May/Mae M. Melvin. "Lizzie" was born in September 1883 in Nebraska, per the 1900 census. This accords with the 1885 census in Nemaha, where she is listed as aged 2 years. May is enumerated in the 1900 census as born in November 1888, also in Nebraska (and presumably in Nemaha). By 1910 Elizabeth was, like her father, listed as a doctor/general practitioner. Mae had no occupation in 1910. The 1910 census specified that Jane had only two children, both living. I have not researched the family in the 1920 census.
Children of Priscilla Crother and James Melvin are:
27 1. Maria Elizabeth4 Melvin, born September 1883 in NE. She married Henry West Chamberlin December 8, 1915 in Guthrie, OK.
28 ii. Margaret May Melvin, born September 1888 in NE. She married Howard D. Browne June 28, 1911 in Guthrie, OK.
12. John Edwin3 Crother (John Philip2 Crowther, Philip 1) was born April 1861 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co., NE, and died January 20, 1944 in Los Angeles Co., CA. He married Cora Belle Clark April 9, 1882 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co., Neb., daughter of W. Clark and Mary Paney.
- 31 iii. Kathryn Millicent Crother, born 1905 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co., Neb.; died September 24, 1930 in Los Angeles Co., CA. She married Everette Irwin.
Notes for Kathryn Millicent Crother:
This information about Millicent was obtained from the 1920 Census in Nebraska City, Otoe Co., NE at 711 & 1/2 Main, John E. Crother, aged 58, b Ne; wife Cora B., aged 56, b. NE; and daughter Millicent, aged 15, b. NE.
Her first name and her husbands name came from Ruby Crother Middleton, daughter of Edwin and Zetta Crother to Joseph Crother, son of John Philip and Laura Crother, via Albert Salter and Mary Crother Salter of Virginia in a letter dated --/--/--.
The following is from a letter from Bert Salter dated 3/29/94.
It appears that if Katheryn Millicent had married an Everette Irwin, the marriage was annulled. I conclude this from the entry in the California death index, showing that a Cathryn M. Crother, aged 25, died on 24 September 1930 somewhere in Los Angeles County. The age accords with her known birth in 1905, and the death place fits with John Edwin's (and Cora's and Edwin Sr.'s).
13. Annie Bertha3 Crother (John Philip2 Crowther, Philip 1) was born June 26, 1863 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co. NE, and died December 15, 1895 in Brownville, Nemaha Co. NE (Nemaha cem). She married George Emory Newton Sanders October 8, 1882 in Nemaha City, Nebraska, son of Thomas Sanders and Julia Hickman.
Notes for Annie Bertha Crother: She died after being thrown out of a spring wagon caused by a runaway horse.
Notes for George Emory Newton Sanders:
George E. N. Sanders learned the harness trade--1879--and went to
Nemaha City the fall of 1881. On October 81882, he was married to
Annie Bertha Crother, daughter of John Philip and Maria Hodkin Crother and to them were born five children: John Paddock, Bertha Grace, Benjamin Harry and Albert Merle. Mrs Sanders was hurt by a runaway team and died December 15, 1895, leaving her husband and the five small children. The grandmothers of the children took care of them until February 26, 1902 when he was married to Louisa Dora May Rains. Dora as they all called her, was born in Missouri, but came to Nebraska with her parents when she was one and a half years old. Her father, Francis Marion Rains was born in Kentucky and her mother Eliza Roberts was born in Missouri. L. Dora M. Sanders has six sisters, one half-brother and one half-sister.
He was buried in Walnut Grove Cemetery, Brownville, Nemaha Co., NB (Howard, I think that this is wrong and that he is buried in the State of Washington)
Children of Annie Crother and George Sanders are:
32 i. George Edwin4 Sanders, born May 29, 1883 in Nemaha Co., NE; died September 24, 1965 in Auburn, Nemaha Co., NE. He married Letty Alice Redding December 4, 1924 in Hiawatha, KS.
Notes for George Edwin Sanders: (Howard, Dorothy Vandevort was G. E. N. Sanders last child and is still living in the state of Washington -I have been in contact recently with her and her daughter, Wally)
From a letter from Dorothy Vandevort, 3-21-1997, Says that George Edwin was first a school teacher, then a postal clerk in Auburn, NB for years and was married to Letty Redding, no children.
April 1997, from Bev Todd, her daughter, information from the obituary, brothers John P Sanders, Garretson SD, Harry B Sanders, Huron SD, Frank T. Sanders, Yakima WA, Dorothy Vandevort, Tacoma WA. Sister and brother in law, Mr. and Mrs. Ray Schneider of Albuquerque NM & several neices and nephews. Taught school in NB before joining Postal service in 1922, retired in 1953.
Notes for Letty Alice Redding: From information Beverly Todd, 4/97 -obituary Daughter of George and Fannie Edwards Redding, one of three children, Sister Mrs. Ray Schneider of Albuquerque survives her. Both parents and a brother pre deceased her.
33 ii. John Paddock Sanders, born January 21, 1887 in Auburn, Nemaha Co., NE; died July 27, 1968 in Garretson, SD. He married Julia Hjelle.
Notes for John Paddock Sanders:
John P. Sanders came to Garretson, South Dakota in the spring of 1907 to lead the band during the summer. He was expecting to go back to school in Peru, Nebraska in the fall. His father was George E. N. Sanders and his mother was Annie Bertha Crother. His uncle, Carl E. Sanders (b.1878) was publishing "The News" and in August, asked him if he would like to try setting type. He said that he did try it, liked it and that is how he got his start.
"In 1909, W.W. came up from Nebraska and he and I purchased the paper from Carl as of Jan 1, 1910. I am still on the job in the News office and do most of the writing and getting copy ready for the paper, but am semi-retired, and drawing Social Security. My wife Julia and I have no children. I'm getting to be an old timer in Garretson."
"Wiliam Wesley Sanders, mentioned above was in the newspaper business all of his adult life. A quite complete history of his life is included in the obituary which was published in The Garretson News following his death. A copy of the this is enclosed, but I would appreciate getting it back when you are through with it."
"A copy of the obituary of William F. Sanders is also enclosed. He came to Garretson while I was in the service in World War I, to help on the paper, as it was impossible to find any help. He was the only brother of Clyde and Carl Rowen. His widow, Nellie, who was Nellie Venrick before her marriage, still operates the linotype in The News office, having been at it for the past 36 years."
"They had three sons, Paul, Clifford, and Robert."
"Clifford is now the owner of The Garretson News, having come to Garretson in 1953 to help with the work when his father's health failed. In 1955 he purchased the interest of John P. and since that time has expanded the business quite extensively. The paper is now printed by offset and they also publish the Suburban News, a weekly paper circulated in Sioux Falls and its environs. They also do an extensive commercial printing business. His wife Helen is a partner in this publication."
"Cliff and Helen have two boys and one girl, Bill the oldest is married and serving two years as an Army lieutenant at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland. Robert is a freshman at South Dakota State College, Brookings. Both boys are good offset men in the shop and have been lots of help when home."
"Paul is also working for Clifford, living in Sioux Falls and looking after business for the Suburban and is also picking up commercial printing. He came from San Antonio, Texas last year where he had been connected with a large business establishment for a number of years."
"Robert retired from the Army a couple of years ago, as a Lieutenant Colonel having seen a lot of foreign service in WWII and in Korea and Japan afterwards. He is with the Boeing Company in Seattle, Wash. and has a good job." (from information supplied by John Glendon Sanders and apparently written by John P. Sanders) NO CHILDREN-
+ 34 iii. Bertha Grace Sanders, born October 7, 1889 in Nemaha Co., NE;
died July 1, 1928 in Plattsmouth, Cass Co., NE (bur Hamberg,IA).
+ 35 iv. Harry Benjamin Sanders, born October 19, 1891 in Auburn,
N em a ha
Co., NE; died November 4, 1976 in Huron, Beadle Co., SD.
+ 36 v. Albert Merle Sanders, born April 1, 1893 in Nemaha City, Nemaha
Co., NE; died October 30, 1973 in Auburn, Nemaha Co., NE.
15. Oliver Charles3 Crother (John Philip2 Crowther, Philipi) was born August 12, 1873 in Nemaha City, Nemaha Co. NE, and died May 10, 1931 in Placer Co, CA (no cem). He married Imogen Josephine Wood September 8, 1897 in Summerland, Santa Barbara Co. CA, daughter of Joseph Wood and Susan Wood.
Notes for Imogen Josephine Wood:
She attended Lake Erie Seminary at Painesville, Ohio and graduated after completing the prescribed course of study and received a "Testimonial" on June 22, 1893. Painesville is about 140 miles north of Rainbow near the shores of Lake Erie, about 30 miles to the east of Cleveland, Ohio.
According to information, her parents moved to Summerland in 1892; she remained behind amd cpmp;eyed her school. The last signatured from Ohio in her autograph book were dated 1893.. She died 18 Nov 1961
-
- SOME NOTES BY DR. ELIZABETH MELVIN CHAMBERLIN
- date unknown-60s or early70s
-
- Three brothers came from Oldham, Lancs., to America. William, John Philip and Edwin Crother. In England the name was "Crowther" but they dropped the "w" for some reason.
John had a son by a prior marriage, Philip. John married my grandmother, Maria Hodkin, daughter of Hannah Redfern. They were from Cornwall [not correct-HSB] but I have never known the correct name of the town. My mother thought it was "Blackwell" but there is no such name in my atlas. [There is, however a "Bakewell" in Derbyshire, which is much more likely.]
Edwin settled in New York State and had two marriages. The first wife was Jane Schermerhorn for whom my mother was named. Their daughter was Anna (Cousin Annie). I don't know the name of the second wife or have forgotten, but their daughter was Sarah (Cousin Sadie).
William Crother settled in Nebraska. His wife was Priscilla (called just Auntie) and they had no children. Her mother having died Cousin Annie was sent to Nebraska and was reared by Uncle William and Aunt Priscilla. She married Will Maxwell whose parents were direct from Scotland. Their children were Alva, slightly younger than I, George Edwin (Ned), and Priscilla Ethel.
Alva had no children. Ned's wife was Mabel and they had, I think, four children. Ethel [Langley] has talked mostly about Ned's son Bruce, who became a physician, and as I read in this letter his son Paul is also a physician. Marian was a librarian, just as in "The Music Man, It was she who died of cancer. Ned was "High Sheriff" in Beatrice, Nebr. for many years and died a few years ago. I stopped to see them in 1955. And Ned came to see me on two occasions when in Okla. on business.
Ethel married James A. Langley (Jim), salesman for a Memphis tobacco firm. Their son is James Maxwell. Max was a midshipman at the Naval Academy in the 1930s but "bilged out." However he obtained a degree later in engineering from Georgia Tech. He had an unhappy marriage, became a Lt. Commander in the Navy during WW II in the submarine service. After the War he worked as an engineer, but in time became mentally unbalanced and has been a patient in the Naval [VA?] hospital at North Little Rock, Ark., As far as I know he is home now in Webb City. It was a great tragedy for them.
Cousin Sadies daughter is Edwena (not Edwina), who lived in Darlington, SC, all her married life. Cousin Sadie, I forgot to say, married Dr. George Washington Harrison, kin to the presidents H. I had dinner with them in 1929 at their New York apartment and can tell a real funny tale about that occasion. Later Sadie went to live with Edwena , and May and I called on them in 1937. Edwena was Mrs. David Erwin and her daughter was Sally. E. is now a widow and spends most of the time with Sally in Texas..
Sally married into a prominent Austin family, the Pennybackers. I forgot the young man's Christian name, but his grandmother was once president of the General Federation of Womens' Clubs and wrote a textbook which was used in the schools. Sally has two children.
Ethel is May's age but since I came to Bartlesville and she settled in Missouri we have been like sisters. We went in my car in 1934 to see Max at Annapolis and I went to a pathological conference in Washington. Henry [Chamberlin] and I visited them once and I have been there several times since. Barbara [Browne] and I went to them for a few days when she was 16.
I thought you might like to know something of these relatives. They aren't people to be shamed of
-
- NOTES ON THE CROTHER FAMILY BY KEITH AND MARVEL FIELDEN
HOMEPAGE
