Charlotte Backus

Charlotte Backus

Charlotte Backus – approx. 1922

Dorothy Todd – approx. 1943

Charlotte (Backus), Kenneth Marvin, Dorothy, Robert, and Eubron “Sonny” Todd

Many thanks to my 2nd cousin 1x removed, Debra Schoppe, for photographing and sending these pictures of her family. My great grand aunt (Debra’s grandmother), Charlotte (Backus) Todd, was born 10/17/1906 in Texas. She died 4/11/1941 in Corpus Christi, Texas from an accidental abortion. Charlotte was 34 years-old at the time of her death. She was married to Eubron Todd. They had four children: Dorothy (Debra’s mother), Eubron “Sonny”, Robert, and Kenneth Marvin.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – Georgia Lou (Barlow) Davis – Katie Maybelle (Backus) Barlow Schwabe Stinson [sister of Charlotte (Backus) Todd]

I created this video dedicated to my grandfather, Ralph Williams Jr., the USS LCI(L)-11 crew, and their families using Apple iMovie ’11. I hope you enjoy it. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. If you’d like to subscribe to my YouTube channel, click here.

Brian Davis – Christine (Williams) Davis – Ralph Williams Jr.

Sherman Davis Obituary

Sherman Davis

This obituary is of my great grandfather, Sherman H. “Johnny” Davis, and was featured in the May 6, 1992 edition of the Tyler (TX) Courier-Times:

Rites For S.H. ‘Johnny’ Davis Scheduled Thursday Afternoon

Graveside services for Sherman H. ‘Johnny’ Davis, 84, Tyler, are scheduled for 2 p.m. Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. George Richardson officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Memorial Funeral Home West in Tyler.

Mr. Davis died Tuesday at his home after a lengthy illness.

He was born June 9, 1907, in Mexia and lived in Tyler 36 years after moving from Corpus Christi. He was a member of First Christian Church. He was retired after 42 years as a superintendent with Arco Oil Co. and was an independent oil operator. He acquired the nickname “Johnny” when he worked in the Texas oil fields at the age of 13.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy Davis, Tyler; two sons, Woody Burl Davis, Hilltop Lake, and James Nead Davis, Robstown; two daughters, Annell Hargrave, Houston, and Virginia Bauer, McAllen; a step-daughter, Nancy Nash, Kent, Wash.; a sister, Erby K. Parsons, Corpus Christi; 12 grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and two step great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Paul Hargrave, Patrick Davis, Johnny Davis, Michael Davis, Allen Davis, Michael Hargrave, John C. Burrett and Bobby Ray Harris.

Family visitation will be 7-8 tonight in the funeral home.

Many thanks to Barbara Galbreath of the Tyler (TX) Public Library for providing a copy of the obituary.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Sherman H. Davis

Dick Waits

Many thanks to my cousin, Jane Mason, for scanning and sending this portrait of my great grand uncle, Charles Richard “Dick” Waits. I am currently working on a project dedicated to his life and military service. It will be published in the coming months.

Brian Davis – Christine (Williams) Davis – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth (Waits) Williams (sister of Charles Richard “Dick” Waits)

Attleboro Kitchen Style Clock

Clock Pendulum

My 3rd great grandfather, Eli D. Waits, scratched his name (“E. Waits”) into the back of the pendulum from this “kitchen” style clock, sold by the Attleboro Clock Company. He most likely purchased the clock in the Lancaster, Ohio area.

According to the website, Attleboro Clock Co., little is known about these clocks. They were produced between 1890 and 1915, manufactured by the Waterbury, Ansonia, E. Ingraham, or Sessions companies, and sold under the Attleboro Clock Company name.

It is unknown whether the dial of this clock has been replaced, as they usually have “Attleboro Clock Co., Attleboro, Mass.” printed on them, where ours does not. It may have been repaired in the 1970s or 80s. I’m planning on having the clock appraised in the near future and will update the blog with the information when available.

Clock Pendulum (Back)

Eli Waits

Brian Davis – Christine (Williams) Davis – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth (Waits) Williams – Harmon Clay Waits – Eli D. Waits

Harold Dahlberg

Harold Dahlberg

The following article appeared in an unknown newspaper [after November 7, 1943]:

AVIATION CADET HAROLD W. DAHLBERG

Before joining up as an Aviation Cadet Harold was employed as Aviation Mechanic at Duncan Field. He is married, and has one son, Harold Paul. His home address is 816 Austin Street, Luling, Texas. His mother, Mrs. J. E. Dahlberg resides on Route 1, near Kingsbury. Harold hasn’t done so badly for himself, as he has moved up from Private to Aviation Cadet, and that is quite an accomplishment in any Man’s Army. He is a graduate of the Prairie Lea School, and was 27 years old Nov. 7th. His present station is at Albany, Ga.

Harold Dahlberg (Bottom R) and Unknown Crew Photo

The following article appeared in the November or December 16, 1945 edition of an unknown newspaper:

1ST LIEUT. HAROLD WALTER DAHLBERG KILLED IN PLANE CRASH ON GUAM

First Lieut. Harold Walter Dahlberg was killed in a plane accident on Guam, Nov. 7, 1945, according to a telegram received this week from the acting Adjutant General of the Army, by Mrs. Dahlberg. The message stated that a letter would follow.
Lt. Dahlberg has been overseas for the past ten months, and in a letter to his wife, the former Miss Evelyn Cartwright, dated Oct. 22nd, he said that he would be leaving for home soon.
Lt. Dahlberg entered the service in February, 1943, and received his wings in Columbus, Miss., in April, 1944. He attended school in Prairie Lea, and was employed as an aviation mechanic before going into the service. His training stations were in Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and California.
In addition to his wife he is survived by a little son, Paul; father, O. Z. Dahlberg of Darst Creek; mother, Mrs. J. E. Dahlberg of Kingsbury; sister, Mrs. W. W. Bingham, Luling; three brothers: Albert, San Antonio; Oscar, Raymondville; and Clifford, Ft. Worth.

According to the Brief of Aircraft Accident, Harold Dahlberg was piloting B-24M, No. 44-51874. The aircraft took off from Harmon Field, Guam at 1202Z [Zulu Time]. At 1203Z, approx. 1.5 miles SE of Harmon Field, the Consolidated B-24M Liberator crashed and exploded on impact. They were on a ferry mission from Guam to Kwajalein. Harold, 2nd Lt. James R. Rouse (Wollaston, MA), 1st Lt. Hugh M. “Billy” Branham (Chestertown, MD), S/Sgt Edmund John Hudo (Filion, MI), and 1st Lt. Bradley O. Irwin (Yuma, AZ) were all killed in the accident. 2nd Lt. Robert V. Callson (Tacoma, WA), T/Sgt Ernest J. LeBlanc (Tupper Lake, NY), T/Sgt Charles D. McLaughlin (Edwin, AL), and T/Sgt Marvin L. Hawk (South Bend, IN) all sustained injuries. The cause of the accident was unknown, but may have been due to engine failure.

The following article appeared in the January 14, 1949 edition of an unknown newspaper:

REBURIAL SERVICES SET FOR SUNDAY FOR FIRST LT. HAROLD W. DAHLBERG

The body of First Lt. Harold Walter Dahlberg, who was killed in a plane accident on Guam on November 7, 1945, will arrive in Luling Saturday afternoon and funeral services will be conducted at the First Baptist Church Sunday at 2 p. m.
Burial will be in the City Cemetery with Benton I. McCarley Post in charge of the graveside services.

Harold and Jennie Dahlberg Headstone

On July 10, 2010, I received the following message from Jennifer Danvers on Ancestry.com:

I was searching on Ancestry.com and found that you have some connection to Harold W. Dahlberg. I recently found a headstone for a Harold W. Dahlberg, born November 7, 1916, died November 7, 1945. It was a military headstone. It was behind someone’s house and had been left there by some previous resident. Are you family to Mr. Dahlberg? Do you know where he is actually buried and if his monument is missing?

I contacted Steve Dahlberg, Harold’s grand nephew, regarding the headstone. Harold’s grandson picked up the headstone and had it placed in Luling City Cemetery.

Harold Dahlberg Military Headstone

Many thanks to Gary W. Adams for posting the above photo to Find A Grave.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis – Margie (Kirkpatrick) Davis [sister of Bonnie Mae (Kirkpatrick) Dahlberg (sister-in-law of Harold Walter Dahlberg)]

Certificate in Genealogical Research

I was presented the Certificate in Genealogical Research from Boston University’s Center for Professional Education. The program was very challenging and I spent a lot of time and effort in completing the cirriculum. Many thanks to all of my family and friends for their support. Now it’s time to get back to blogging!

Brian Davis

I have enrolled in Boston University’s online Genealogical Research Certification Program. I’m hoping this will put me on the path toward board certification. Class starts on September 6 and runs through December 19. The program consists of six modules: Foundations of Genealogical Research, Problem-Solving Techniques and Technology, Evidence Evaluation and Citation, Forensic Genealogical Research, Genealogical Research Ethnic and Geographic Specialties, and The Professional Genealogist. I hope to update my progress throughout the fall.

Dick Waits 18th Armored Replacement Battlion Retouched Picture (Framed)

I had the retouched photograph of United States Army Company B, 18th Armored Replacement Battalion taken January 1941(42?) at Fort Knox, Kentucky framed at Aaron Brothers in Sugar Land, Texas. My great grand uncle, Charles Richard “Dick” Waits, KIA on April 6, 1945, is on the far right, third row from-the-top.

It looks great and will make an outstanding addition to our study. Thanks again to Sue Rizvi for finding and sending the original.

Sue Rizvi contributed these photos of United States Army Company B, 18th Armored Replacement Battalion, taken 1/1941 at Fort Knox, Kentucky.  My great grand uncle, Charles Richard “Dick” Waits is on the far right, third row from the top.

Rolled-up, with creases and many signs of wear, the original photo was found in the home of Paul and Bette Hang in Circleville, Ohio. Bette was Dick’s sister-in-law until he was KIA on 4/6/45 in Germany. Sue, Bette’s daughter, was kind enough to scan the original photo into four separate files (the photo is too large to fit on a standard flatbed scanner) and email them to me. I decided to have the photos retouched and put back together.  I contacted Miles Abernathy at 399Retouch for the picture retouch.  For an affordable price and fast turnaround time, I thought they did an outstanding job.

Dick Waits 18th Armored Replacement Battalion Retouched Picture

Brian Davis – Christine (Williams) Davis – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth (Waits/sister of Charles Richard Waits) Williams