Sunday, May 19, 2013

Proud Mom with Beautiful Babies



Grandma is glowing with a mother's pride.  I didn't get to be around her much but I always felt loved by her and her gentleness.

I think Darcy Smith Matthews looks alot like her great-grandmother Edna Pyle Greet.

Side note:  I'm back at family history sleuthing and organizing what I have collected so hoping that I will post more often.  Originally I thought I would try to post chronologically but that is not going to happen.  It will be easier to post as I discover something.

PS: This blogging stuff is harder than everyone makes it look.  Still I'm going to keep at it.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Life Has Its Distractions

I've been trying to get back here nearly everyday since the last post.  My daughter is faring as well as can be expected when she has her body pumped full of poison every two weeks.  She has lost her hair which has caused her the most grief I think.  The tumor is responding favorably.  Her cancer team keeps her anti-nausea meds strong enough that she can escape most of the vomiting.  Potatoes and lemonade taste best to her right now. She sleeps a lot and has a lot of caring friends and neighbors and family near her to help. I get over to help as often as I can.  (#1 Distraction from Genealogy manageable for now.)

Distraction #2 happened just a few days ago.  My youngest son was thrown from a horse and broke the Lumbar vertebrae L1-L4 (yes all 4 of them).  Miraculously there is no spinal cord damage but there is a lot of deep tissue damage.  His doctors have him on some heavy-duty pain meds and rest from ranch work.  He is ambulatory and gets around some.  I saw him Saturday for a short visit.  He's in a lot of pain but is of good cheer and humor (the humor part could be the meds talking.) We live 200+ miles from each other and he has a kind and loving wife and friends who will take good care of him.

With all of these life changing events happening to my children and my inability to be in three places at once I've been feeling pretty helpless as a mom.  There is only one thing I can do well, that is to pray and then get out of the way so God can work his miracles.  The next thing I can do is press forward in my family history research and organizing the stuff I have collected over the years.  I never gave much thought to how much we leave behind that tells our story until I started looking at what I have collected for my own children and have been finding for Grandma and Grandpa Greet.

Grandma wrote a brief genealogy for me when I was quite young maybe around the age of 10 or so.  My mother kept it tucked safely away for me until I graduated from High School and I kept it hidden away, buried with my baby photos and grade school report cards.  I found it recently and scanned it to share with my cousins.  If you are interested in genealogical research you may find some clues to further your research.  If you are interested in knowing more about our grandmother you may appreciate the sample of her handwriting.  I will include a transcription of what she wrote after the images.




Transcription:

Ralph Pyle born 17--, died Feb. 24 4, 1828
Married Rachel Shinn who was born Oct 5, 1794, died Feb. 4, 1852
Joseph G Pyle was born Sept 8, 1812, in Philadelphia
Died Jan. 5, 1880 in Pike Co., Ill.
Married Catherine Long Feb 25, 1837 who was born jan. 19, 1820 in Ohio and died Jan 11, 1871 in Logansport, Indiana. Her father’s name was Christian Long who died July 3, 1866 in Pike Co., Illinois
Edgar Parker Pyle was born May 30, 1858 in Pike Co., Illinois and died Feb. 15, 1929 at BigTrails, Wyo. He was married to Mary Electa Hoback Oct. 30, 1880. 
Edna Lucile Pyle was born to them Nov. 1, 1891 in Hull, Illinois. Was married to Frank Greet Feb. 5, 1913 at Bigtrails. Neil Greet was born to them Apr 12, 1928 in Worland, Wyo. He married Zeala Marie Jacobs July 31, 1949…

The Hobacks
Isaac Hoback came to America from Germany about 1788. He had 3 sons, Michael, Isaac and John and they settled in Larue Co., Kentucky.  John married Dorcas Killim who was of pure French descent. They moved to Johnson Co., Kentucky in 1831, where he died in 1836.  Bartholomew Hoback was born to them Apr. 1, 1832. He married Augustine Shigley March 17, 1853, who died Apr. 3, 1876. Mary Electa Hoback was born to them Oct. 7, 1857 she married Edgar Parker Pyle Oct. 30, 1880 and died July 13, 1928
Augustine Shigley’s father was William Shigley, of German descent. He married Cynthia Simpson of Scotch descent (?).  Augustine Shigley was born to them May 28, 1835

The Greets
Phillip Greet was born and raised in England and was married to Anne Rodgers also native of England.  Geo Greet was born to them May 7, 1839, in Devonshire. (the scratched out portion I am not transcribing.)

Geo. Greet married Elizabeth Ann Reed, who was the daughter of Mary Ann and ___Reed and who was born in 1814, and died May 19, 1884 in Devonport England. She married a second time, to John Pengelly.  Frank Greet was born to Geo. Greet and Elizabeth Ann (Reed) Greet Oct. 1, 1885.

Have a great week cousins.  Please feel free to share your stories of Grandma and Grandpa.  I would love to know and use some of her recipes.  Did she have a recipe book or card file?  Did Grandpa have a favorite story he liked to tell on himself or his brothers or his kids?  





Tuesday, February 26, 2013

I Feel Like Its Christmas!!

Look what treasures I found in my mail box today!

For a family historian its like Christmas.

My sister Carli texted me a few days ago to let me know she made a visit to the Washakie County Courthouse in Worland, Wyoming.  She was sending a box of "stuff" with Frank's probate records.
(I was counting the days for it to get here.)
  
In the box were some loose pictures, a photo album of Frank and Edna's family, postcards, and a dvd that was played at a recent family member's funeral, and a cd full of family photos in her collection.  

I wish I could get "Christmas" presents like this every week.  I would say every day but I need a few days to study them and scan them.  This stuff is really a treasure.

Thanks, Carli.  You're the best!!



P.S.  I just recently learned that my oldest daughter Evelynne has breast cancer at stage 2.  Please, give me a few more days to process this dreadful news and to re-arrange my schedule so that I can help her as she needs me.   I will keep up with this as best I can though there may be more than a few days between posts.   All prayers are welcome.                                                   

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Edna's Obit as published in the Northern Wyoming Daily News





The Northern Wyoming Daily News
Saturday, August 10, 1968

EARLY TEN SLEEP RESIDENT DIES

Mrs. Edna Lucile Greet, 76, pioneer resident of the Bigtrails, community, died Thursday in Washakie Memorial hospital here following a brief illness.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday in the Seventh-day Adventist church at Ten Sleep, with the Rev. Richard Stenbakken officiating.  Burial will be in Ten Sleep cemetery. Veile mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Greet was born Nov. 1, 1891, Griggsville, Ill., the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Pyle. She came to Upper Nowood in 1908 with her parents, who were employed by Noble & Bragg Co. They later homesteaded at Bigtrails.

On Feb. 5, 1913, she was married to Frank Greet at Bigtrails. He died May 22, 1967, and Mrs. Greet had made her home in Ten Sleep.

Surviving her are four sons,...two daughters...one brother James H. Pyle, on the family homestead; 19 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.


I have been scanning the journals of Wyoma Hemry Pyle who is Edna's sister-in-law.  Wyoma had put this clipping in her journal.

Friday, February 15, 2013

FRANK'S LIFE STORY & OBITUARY



         Frank Greet's life story was among the many papers given to me by my dad.  It actually appears to be written to be read at his funeral.  





FRANK GREET

Frank Greet was born October 1, 1885, at Knightsville, Indiana, to George and Elizabeth Ann Reed Greet.
When very young, his parents moved to Red Lodge, Montana, where Frank had his first year at school.
Early in 1891 the father and his eldest son, Ernest, moved to their homestead on Spring Creek, a branch of the Nowood River, seven miles south of where Ten Sleep, Wyoming, now is, and started the spring’s work on their land, while the second brother Will, and the mother remained at Red Lodge until the end of the school year so Frank and his twin brother, Fred, could finish their first year at school. They then joined their father and brother at their new home.
Here Frank and Fred rode horseback seven miles to the Upper Spring Creek School, or attended school in the Buchmaster home on Otter Creek or stayed at the Mark Warner home on the Nowood, and attended school in a cabin on the Mike Lynch ranch east of the present town of Ten Sleep, depending upon the season of the year, and where they were having a term of school.
While Frank was a very young boy the community church at Ten Sleep, the first church building in the present Washakie county, was built; everyone helped according to his means and ability.  The young boys and their parents all had a part in this building project, and all were very happy when the church was completed and all could attend services conducted by ministers of various faiths, who came to serve them at various times. The church was placed in the cemetery, and a lot was assigned to each family who assisted with the building of the church. A lot was assigned to the Greet family, and it is in this lot that Frank’s remains will be placed today to rest until the resurrection day.
Their parents died while the boys were very young, but they carried on until the spring of 1909 when they sold their Spring Creek ranch and bought the 3 Circle ranch from Joe Henry.  This ranch is about twelve miles further up the Nowood, and is known by the name “Double Crossing,” a place where teams and wagons had to cross a bend in the creek in two places before they could go on up country to the south.  Here the twins lived and worked the rest of their working lives, and added to the place as they could, until they had established the present Greet Brother’s Ranch.
On February 5, 1913, Frank married Edna Pyle.  The wedding took place at the Gus Coleman ranch on Upper Canyon Creek.  It is now known as the Marple Ranch.
Life is full of joys and humor; one occasion of both concerned the marriage license.  Since Frank was the first one to apply for a marriage license in the newly organized county of Washakie, the County clerk, Eddie Conant, did not charge Frank for the license.  He said that anyone brave enough to apply for a license during those critical times should not have to pay for the license.  Frank often said, in a joking way, that he could not have gotten married if he had had to pay for that license.
Four sons and two daughters were born to this union.  (The children’s names and residences are listed here.)
When the Seventh-day Adventist Church was established at Big Trails, the Greet family became members, and when they moved to Ten Sleep in 1952 Mr. and Mrs. Greet transferred their membership to the Ten Sleep Seventh-day Adventist church.  Frank enjoyed his church relations.  He loved the Bible and the old religious songs. One of his favorite texts was Isaiah 41:10; which reads, “Fear not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” One of his favorite songs was “Whispering Hope” which will be sung at this service.
Frank was very happy with his family, a good neighbor, always willing to help anyone who was in need of assistance, and a good citizen. He commanded the respect of all who knew him.
Besides he wife and children, he is survived by his twin brother, Fred, of Worland, Wyoming, 18 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and several nieces and a nephew.
Services were conducted by Pastor Richard Stenbakken at the Ten Sleep Seventh-day Adventist Church on Thursday afternoon, May 25, at two o’clock. Burial was in the Ten Sleep Community Cemetery, with Veile Mortuary in charge. 





Thursday, February 14, 2013

Do you know who these folks are?

Here are some pictures I have in my collection of Greet pictures.  Do you know who these good folks are?




A note alongside this says "Grandma Gifford"
It looks like she could be the woman in white in the top picture.




Wednesday, February 13, 2013

History in Reverse

Typically when we tell a persons life story we begin with their birth and press forward from there to their burial and reading of their will if there was one.  Not so in genealogical research.  The rule of thumb is to search for the most recent event, document it as best one can and move backward to their birth.  The more recent records are usually easier to find.

While scanning the many papers I received several years ago from my dad I found a photo copy of Grandmother's hand written  will.  I have it posted here.  I have not been able to acquire her probate records to know if this will was her last and how it was settled but when I do I'll post it.




            This is the transcription of her will:

                                                                                                                        Ten Sleep,Wyoming
                                                                                                                        May 26, 1968


I, Edna L Greet, a resident of Washakie County, Wyoming, here by make this my will, replacing any previous will I may have made. I am a widow.  I was married to Frank Greet on Feb. 5, 1913, and remained his wife until his death on May 22, 1967.  I have six children, at present all living:  (here she names all of her children with the daughters’ married names).

It is my intention to dispose of all property in my possession at the time of my death.  I reserve the right to sell or give away anything I now possess as long as I live.

I give what household furniture and furnishings, books, clothing, paintings and anything else of a personal nature to my children, or their descendants if any are deceased, who survive me as they shall agree.

In as much as my son, James E. Greet, worked with his brothers, on the ranch now owned by Greet Brothers, Incorporated, until the condition of his back made it wise for him to seek a living elsewhere, and since at present he does not own any shares in said corporation, I give whatever shares I own at the time of my death to him.

Whatever balance is in my checking account and whatever cash or traveler’s checks I may have on hand at the time of my death shall be added to my savings account.  Any debts I may owe at the time of my death and any funeral expenses shall be paid from this sum, excepting what may be covered by Medicare or other insurances.  What is left of this sum shall be divided as follows:
  1. 10 percent to the Wyoming Conference of Seventh Day Adventists to be used for its religious, educational and charitable work.
  2.   Forty percent to be divided equally between my four sons: (here she names her sons.)
  3.   Twenty-five percent to my daughter  (here she names her daughter)
  4.   Twenty-five percent to my daughter  (here she names her daughter)

I authorize the executor of this will to sell, lease, mortgage or deal with as I might if living, any real estate or other property I might own at the time of my death not otherwise mentioned in this will, without obtaining any previous order of the court, but subject to confirmation by the court. Any money realized from such transactions shall be divided equally between my six children or their survivors if any of them are deceased.

I appoint my son (she names him here) as executor of this will (word is missing) serve without bond.

If for any reason (missing word) is unable to serve I nominate my son (named here) as alternate to serve without bond.

                                          E…..a L Greet
                                         May 26, 1968



The Ten Sleep, Wyoming cemetery conains a wealth of information this is the link:  http://tensleepcemetery.com  

I believe our cousin Fred has worked on this site contributing life stories and obituaries of Greet and Pyle family member buried there. Thank you Fred.  This site contains a wealth of information for many of our family members including, (where available) a photograph of the headstone; a life story; obituary; and any other bits of biographical information.  The site is easily navigated.




I have requested the death certificates for Frank and Edna and am just waiting for them to arrive.

I asked my dad about what caused Edna's death.  He said, "I think it was a broken heart.  She just missed Grandpa so much."

I have not yet located Frank's will or probate records.  If any of you have them please send me a copy for posting.

That is all for this morning.  Have a great day cousins.