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.

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

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

Ohio Avenue, Wellston, Ohio Postcard

I found a listing for this postcard on eBay, and immediately noticed the Louvee Theater marquee. While visiting Wellston, Ohio last summer, my mother and I took the following photo:

Louvee Theater Marquee, Wellston, Ohio

According to CinemaTour, the Louvee operated from 1937-2003. While once booming, the downtown area of Wellston has fallen into disrepair. My maternal grandfather, Ralph Williams Jr., graduated from Wellston High School on 5/21/40. I imagine the Louvee was very popular at that time.

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

Paul's Dairy Store Article

During World War II, my great grand uncle, Charles Richard “Dick” Waits, and his brother-in-law, Paul Hang, were in Europe fighting the Nazis, while their families remained in the States. Paul’s wife, Bette, was in Circleville, Ohio with two small children and a business to run. Dick’s wife, Peggy, was in Lancaster, Ohio.

The following are excerpts from an article about Paul’s Dairy Store that appeared in the Circleville (OH) Herald in 2002:

Hang recalls ‘simpler times’ at helm of Isaly’s Dairy

5 cent cones, busy Saturday nights offer reminders of days gone by

By Mike Pratt – The Herald

Many fond memories are rooted in the Isaly’s Dairy Store that was once part of Circleville’s business district on West Main Street. It was located in the western side of the building that Block’s Shoes occupies today…

Paul Hang, half the operating muscle behind the store, is gone now. He died in February 1995, but his widow, Bette, remembers it all – from the day she and her husband moved in to the day it closed as Paul’s Dairy Store…

Having moved here in February 1943, it took only a year for the inevitable to happen.

Paul was drafted into the Army.

“I prayed a lot for him to come back while he was gone and I was on my own,” Hang said. “I never worked in the store and we’d only had it about a year. But it was an opportunity for Paul, and I wanted to keep it for him so he would have something to come back to after the war…”

Fortunately, during the war, Hang’s sister, Peg [Waits] Henderson, came from Lancaster to help.

Because Paul was wounded in Europe and his feet were frozen, Hang said it took him longer to recuperate…

Isaly’s eventually closed its Columbus plant sometime in the 1950s. That’s when the Circleville store was renamed Paul’s Dairy Store…

Paul’s Dairy Store closed in 1973 but the memories it created will be a long time dying.

The article, along with the pictures and descriptions below, were sent to me by Paul and Bette’s daughter, Sue Rizvi. I cannot thank her enough for the contributions.

Paul Hang Picture

The Kitchen at Paul’s Dairy Store –

Walk-in cooler/refrigerator behind Paul and large saw was used for bones in roast beef that he roasted and sliced for sandwiches, hot or cold.

Bette Hang January 1967 Picture

Bette in the Kitchen –

Behind, but in front, of her is a potato cutter for French fries and behind is an orange juicer.
Dad made all of the foods he sold – potato salad, baked beans, roast beef, pimento cheese for the Deli section. At the lunch counter in the rear of the store, where all the local businessmen (and women) ate lunch and had coffee breaks, he made chili, vegetable soup, bean soup, fries, oyster stew, and pork tenderloin on occasion. Hamburgers from good, ground beef, and, of course, the soda fountain and ice cream dishes.

Modern Day Site of Paul's Dairy Store

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

Yearbook Cover

The Jackson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society (JCOGS) has recently made copies of the Jackson (OH) High School Osky Wow yearbooks available in PDF format. I received the files for the following years: 1937-1948 and 1968. The 1941 Osky Wow is the junior yearbook for my maternal grandmother, Madrith Jean Williams (Williams).

Jean was in the “A” Glee Club, Vice President of Girl Reserve, and Vice President of the Charm Club.

My great uncle, Don Williams, was a member of the Freshman class. Bob Williams, my first cousin twice removed, was in the 8th grade and the Jackson spelling champion.

Please check back, as I will be posting images from the rest of the Jackson (OH) High School Osky Wow yearbooks in the coming weeks.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams)

Yearbook Cover

The Jackson County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society (JCOGS) has recently made copies of the Jackson (OH) High School Osky Wow yearbooks available in PDF format. I received the files yesterday for several years: 1937-1948 and 1968. The 1942 Osky Wow is the senior yearbook for my maternal grandmother, Madrith Jean Williams (Williams).

Jean was: an honor student, played Lola Pratt in the senior play Seventeen, on the student council, voted school citizen by the student body, and a band majorette. She was also compared to Lily Pons, a French-American coloratura soprano.

My great uncle, Don Williams, was a member of the Sophomore class and on the reserve basketball team. Bob Williams, my first cousin twice removed, was a member of the Freshman class.

Please check back, as I will be posting images from the rest of the Jackson (OH) High School Osky Wow yearbooks in the coming weeks.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Madrith Jean Williams (Williams)

I created this video about my life through pictures, film, and video using Apple iMovie ’09. I hope you enjoy it. Any feedback is greatly appreciated. If you’d like to subscribe to my YouTube channel, click here.

Brian Davis