July 1997 Newsletter
JULY 1997
?
Dear Family:
WOW! That was a great picnic! If you had half the fun that I had,
you should have had a great day. Did you ever see that many Yarnall's,
Yarnell's and Yarnelle's in the same place at the same time? Paul Robert
Yarnall commented that he does not care what family you belong to in this
country, if you open up your closet, you will find a Yarnall in there
starring back at you. Hmmmm...now wait a minute Paul; what Yarnall's in
what closet (?) - just kidding. I cannot express the thrill at having the
opportunity to say hello to so many new family members. How about you?
Hasn't it always been the family funeral that brings out all the new faces?
Well, hopefully we can put that trait behind us. You are such an awesome
family, I am so proud to call you all my own. The one prevailing comment
that I heard as the day progressed was the friendliness of everyone. Well,
they are Yarnall's, what else would you expect. Seriously, it was a really
super day, and one that I pray we can repeat many times over in the future.
I am afraid to mention the many names of people I met for the first time
for fear of missing someone. I think that I will make up a family portrait
from this year's event, and starting across the top of the picture, number
each person 1, 2, 3, etc.. Then our task at next year's event will be for
everyone to put their name next to the number that identifies them on the
photo. I have seen group shots were everyone held up a card with their name
on it, but that is much too organized.
I have had a little time to reflect on what was good and what could
be better. There are a couple of places where improvements can be made, but
first a couple of giant and heart felt thank-you's: My wife Lillian, Robert
E. Yarnall Jr. (Bob) and his wife Edith and daughter Barbara Alice Yarnall
Sealy; Linford Yarnall; my daughter Cathy Lynn Yarnall Flade, and my
daughter-in-law Roseanne Deflavis Yarnall. They provided the support,
encouragement and backbone that made the whole day such a huge success. I
would also be remiss if I did not thank everyone who brought something for
the family table. I am told that the food was awesome, which brings me to
something that must improve. Lillian, Bob, Edith Barbara, Linford and I
would like to have been able to sit down and break bread with everyone. I
guess it would have helped if I had set a time for the picnic to start -
Oops. So, with that in mind, next years picnic will be on July 11, 1998 and
we will be setting up at 9:00 AM and the days eating festivities will begin
at about 12:00 Noon.
Now, what else can be improved? I would like to be able to spend
more time with everyone, but short of extending the event a day, I do not
know how that could be done, unless we have a family chat circle where we
can say hello to one another. There were horseshoes, volleyball, baseball
and Frisbee golf, but no one to organize the events. There was also some
children's games, and again the need for someone to champion the event. So,
a way to improve next year's picnic would be to have a volunteer for each
of these activities. That person would see that the equipment and
facilities were available, set up teams and start times for those wishing
to participate. I know that many of us enjoyed the games of quoits at the
first years picnic. We also had baseball equipment for a softball game, but
the day passed without a mention of the game. If one person would volunteer
to handle one event, it would not burden anyone, and it would help to make
the day a bit more complete. These are some of my ideas, but what do you
think? Please write to me with any suggestions.
I do have to take the time to mention a few of the distance
travelers to our shindig. The prize winner was Stan Love from Albuquerque,
New Mexico, followed close behind - that was 800 miles Paul(?) - by Paul
Robert Yarnall from Baytown, Texas. Others from a distance were Donald and
Bernice Yarnall from Haines City, Florida; Dea Yarnall MacKinnon from
Manville, Rhode Island; William Edward and Kay Yarnall, along with sons
William Troy and James Russell Yarnall from Langley AFB, Virginia. Of
course, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania were well
represented. Did I forget anyone? If I did, please write and let me know.
The one part of the day that was troublesome was the number of
times I would get sidetracked from visiting with someone I had been
communicating with for long periods of time and was meeting for the first
time. A case in point is Donald and Bernice Yarnall, formerly from the
Allentown area, but for the past several years from Haines City Florida. We
have written to each other for several years and finally had the
opportunity to meet, and while we spent a precious few minutes in greeting,
the day was entirely too short.
We had various estimates of how many attended, up to one hundred
and twenty five - that count was based on the number of name tags that were
used. There were even some late arrivals who strolled in around 5:00 PM,
but by that time most people had left. Next year we will try to organize
the attendance record by having the sign-in log and name tags at the same
table. Yes, there was a sign in log. I bet half the people there did not
even know that we had one - in fact, I never signed the log book. We did
manage to take a family group photo during the day, but I know that
everyone was not present. Next year we will plan to take the family photo
at approximately 2:00 PM, then circle the beach chairs for the family chat
session. How does that sound?
On the memorable events phase of the picnic, one of our cousins -
who will remain un-named, spent the day worrying about the keys he locked
in the trunk of his car. He called his locksmith brother with an urgent
plea on his answering machine, to please come out to the picnic to help him
open the trunk on this "Rental Car" - yes, the plot thickens, it was a
rental car. He was concerned that his brother would think this was a trick
to get him to stop procrastinating and come out to the picnic. Well, it
turns out that you can depress two buttons on the top of the seat and it
opens into the trunk. When I lowered the seat, our unnamed cousin was
amazed, happy, and then worried - in that order. The amazed and happy are
easy, the worried was when he thought what would happen when his brother
came out and the keys were not locked in the trunk. (Oh what tangled webs
we weave)....Well we called the brother on a cell phone and left word that
all was well. When the brother did arrive all turned out well because he
had not been home to listen to the answering machine.
For those concerned with Margaret Yarnall Martinez and husband
Bonny's tire problem, I am happy to report that they made it home to
Delaware without incident. It did lead to the question, "How many Yarnall's
does it take to fix a flat?" The answer of course is one, as long as he or
she has a cell phone and triple 'A' is in close proximity.
?
I was the recipient of a pleasant surprise when Robert E. Yarnall
Jr. presented me with a USS Yarnall hat, replete with a silhouette of the
ship DD-541 and commanders epitaphs. Paul Robert Yarnall also came with a
supply of USS Yarnall hats that he presented to me, my sons and
granddaughters. His caps had the DD-541 ship identification number, but not
the silhouette of the ship. Paul is an honorary member of the DD-541's crew
because of all the historical research on naval history he has done. For
those who are not aware of our connection with the DD-541, along with the
DD-143 and the CG-17, the first two are Destroyers that were named after
our cousin John Joliffe Yarnall and the last is a Lehey Class Guided
Missile Cruiser that was named after cousin Admiral Harry E. Yarnell. It is
kind of neat to see a bunch of people running around with a ships cap that
bears your last name. Both Paul and Robert were offering the hats at their
cost. Bob's, were ordered in a smaller quantity and had the silhouette of
the ship, cost $24.00 each and Paul's cost $6.50 each. We are hoping to
have the hats available at next years outing. Remember, this is not a fund
raiser; the fellas just thought that others like themselves would like to
have one of these caps. I know a great big grateful thank-you goes from me
to Bob and Paul Yarnall for their generosity.
? Missing persons
Each month we try to list a person or group or persons that we cannot
find the link to Francis or Philip Yarnall. While it seems incredible that
there would not be some other person that would have been responsible for
some of the Yarnall descendants, we have not found that other person to
date. We are concerned that as time passes, the opportunity to make the
connection diminishes, so we are looking to you to help us in this search.
Until we locate the links for these people, we will from time to time
repeat some of the names. This months names are new ones, Joseph Yarnall
and Mary C. Yarnall. We do not know their parents, but here is what we do
know of them and their descendants.
[ Note key: Children (Ch), Marriage (m) , Birth (b) , Death (d) ]
Joseph Yarnall b. 10/221852 d. 9/11/1923
m. 2/12/1879 Molly K. Baird
1. Leonard Ross Yarnell b. 2/4/1880 d/ abt 1957
m#1 4/9/1902 Bertha McCullough
Ch. Wallace Clark Yarnall b. 5/29/1909
m. 1/15/1944 Evelyn Mae Lantzer
b. 11/20/917
Ch. Duane Eugene Yarnell
m.11/1/3/1944 Barbara Joyce Yarnell
b. 2/19/1948
m#2. Allie Geese
Ch. Wilmer Yarnell b. d. m. ?
Luella Yarnell b. d. m. ? Ashley
Edna Yarnell b. d. m. ? Boniphant
2. Lula Myrtle Yarnell b. 9/1/1881 d.?
m. 5/22/1901 Edward Wilson
3. Alva Lee Yarnell b. 6/21/1883 d. 2/17/1958
m. Isabelle Pearle Finney
b.12/24/1885 d. 4/26/68
Ch: a) Milford Yance Yarnelle b. 10/6/1913 d.
m. #1 ?
Ch. Lisabeth Annette Yarnelle
b. 7/22/1944
m. 5/1965 William Parker
Ch. Todd Parker b. 3/1966
m.#2 10/23/1965 Alma Marie Gillispie
b. 5/2/1916
Ch: Mark Baker Yarnelle
b .8/21/1969
b) Viva Lucille Yarnelle
b. 3/20/1916 d. ?
m. 10/24/1943
John Coster von Groos
b. 6/17/1908 d. ?
Ch.Gail Eileen Groos
b. 2/2/1945
m. 6/26/1945 Roger Kaehler
John Lee Groos b.12/14/46
m. 12/16/1967 Christine Higgins
Jill Lucille Groos
b. 3/21/1952
Martin Wayne Groos
b. 11/30/1953
c) Arthur Lee Yarnell b. 2/18/1925 d. ?
4. Rosa Belle Yarnell b. 10/25/1885 d.?
m.10/26/1904 Garfield Gibson
Ch. Raymond Yarnell b. d. m.
Harry Yarnell b. d. m.
Harold Yarnell b. d. m.
5. Carrie Mae Yarnell b. 10/4/1887 d. ?
m. 12/22/1909 John Geese
Ch. Alma Van Yarnell b. d. m. ? Fosen
Neva Yarnell b. d. m. ? Brown
6. Mary Pearle Yarnell b. 4/9/1894 d. ?
m. 11/28/1922 Bert Gobson
Ch. Beulah Faye Yarnell b. d. m. ? Jones ...
?
On the medical front, there was a recent article in the July 9,
1997 edition of The North Penn Observer that warns us about problems
associated with Aspartame in ...
"The Bitter Truth About Artificial Sweeteners"
by Mark D. Gold
Aspartame sugar substitutes cause worrying symptoms from memory loss
to brain tumors. But despite USFDA approval as a 'safe' food additive,
aspartame is one of the most dangerous substances ever to be foisted upon
an unsuspecting public.
Aspartame is the technical name for the brand names, NutraSweet,
Equal, Spoonful, and Equal-Measure. Aspartame was discovered by accident in
1965, when James Schlatter, a chemist of G.D. Searle Company was testing an
anti-ulcer drug. Aspartame was approved for dry goods in 1981 and for
carbonated beverages in 1983. It was originally approved for dry goods on
July 26, 1974, but objections filed by neuroscience researcher Dr. John W.
Olney and Consumer attorney James Turner in August 1974 as well a
investigations of G. D. Searle's research practices caused the US Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) to put approval of aspartame on hold (December 5,
1974). In 1985, Monsanto purchased G. D. Searle and made Searle
Pharmaceuticals and The NutraSweet Company separate subsidiaries.
Aspartame is, by far, the most dangerous substance on the market
that is added to foods. Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the
adverse reactions to food additives reported to the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Many of these reactions are very serious including
seizures and death as recently disclosed in a February 1994 Department of
Health and Human Services report. (1) A few of the 90 different documented
symptoms listed in the report as being caused by aspartame include:
Headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, muscle
spasms, weight gain, rashes, depression, fatigue, irritability,
tachycardia, insomnia, vision problems, hearing loss, heart palpitations,
breathing difficulties, anxiety attacks, slurred speech, loss of taste,
tinnitus, vertigo, memory loss and joint pain. According to researchers and
physicians studying the adverse effects of aspartame, the following chronic
illnesses can be triggered or worsened by ingesting of aspartame. (2) Brain
tumors, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson's
disease, Alzheimer's, mental retardation, lymphoma, birth defects,
fibromyalgia, and diabetes.
Aspartame is made up of three chemicals: Aspartic acid,
phenylalanine, and methanol. The book, Prescription for Nutritional
Healing, by James and Phyllis Calch, lists aspartame under the category of
"chemical poison." As you shall see, that is exactly what it is.
Dr. Russell L. Blaylock, a professor of Neurosurgery at the Medical
University of Mississippi, recently published a book thoroughly detailing
the damage that is caused by the ingestion of excessive aspartic acid from
aspartame. (Ninety nine percent of monosodium glutamate 9MSG) is glutamic
acid. The damage it causes is also documented in Blaylock's book. J.
Blaylock makes use of almost 500 scientific references to show how excess
free excitatory amine acids such as aspartic acid and glutamic acid in our
food supply are causing serious chronic neurological disorders and myriad
of other acute symptoms. (3) Aspartate and glutamate act as
neurotransmitters in the brain by facilitating the transmission of
information from neuron to neuron. Too much aspartate or glutamate in the
brain kills certain neurons by allowing the influx of too much calcium into
the cells. This influx triggers excessive amounts of free radicals which
kill the cells. The neural cell damage that can be caused by excessive
aspartate and glutamate is why they are referred to as "excitotoxins." They
"excite" or stimulate the neutral cells to death.
Aspartic acid is an amino acid. Taken in its free form (unbound to
proteins) it significantly raises the blood plasma level of aspartate and
glutamate. The excess aspartate and glutamate in the blood plasma shortly
after ingesting aspartame or products with free glutamic acid (glutamate
precursor) leads to a high level of those neurotransmitters in certain
areas of the brain.
The blood brain barrier (BBB) which normally protects the brain
from excess glutamate and aspartate as well as toxins 1) is not fully
developed during childhood, 2) does not fully protect all areas of the
brain, 3) is damaged by numerous chronic and acute conditions, and 4)
allows seepage of excess glutamate and aspartate into the brain even when
intact.
The excess glutamate and aspartate slowly begin to destroy neurons.
The large majority (75%+) of neural cells in a particular area of the brain
are killed before any clinical symptoms of a chronic illness are noticed. A
few of the many chronic illnesses that have been shown to be contributed to
by long-term exposure excitatory amino acid damage include:
Multiple sclerosis (MS), ALS, memory loss, hormonal problems,
hearing loss, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,
hypoglycemia, AIDS dementia, brain lesions, and neuroendocrine disorders.
The risk to infants, children, pregnant women, the elderly, and
persons with certain chronic health problems from excitotoxins are great.
Even the Federation of American Societies For Experimental Biology (FASEB),
which usually understates problems and mimics the FDA party-line, recently
stated in a review that "it is prudent to avoid the use of dietary
supplements of L-glutamic acid by pregnant women, infants, and children.
The existence of evidence of potential endocrine responses, i.e., elevated
cortisol and prolactin, and differential responses between males and
females, would also suggest a neuroendocrine link and that supplemental
L-glutamic acid should be avoided by women of childbearing age and
individuals with affective disorders."(4) Aspartic acid from aspartame has
the same deleterious effects on the body as glutamic acid.
The exact mechanism of acute reactions to excess free glutamate and
aspartate is currently being debated. As reported to the FDA, those
reactions include: (5) Headaches/migraines, nausea, abdominal pains,
fatigue (blocks sufficient glucose entry into brain), sleep problems,
vision problems, anxiety attacks, depression, and asthma/chest tightness.
One common complaint of persons suffering from the effect of
aspartame is memory loss. Ironically, in 1987, G.D. Searle, the
manufacturer of aspartame, undertook a search for a drug to combat memory
loss caused by excititory amine acid damage. Blaylock is one of many
scientists and physicians who are concerned about excititory amino acid
damage caused by ingestion of aspartame and MSGF. A few of the many experts
who have spoken out against the damage being caused by aspartate and
glutamate include Adrienne Samuels, Ph.D., an experimental psychologist
specializing in research design. Another is Olney, a professor in the
department of psychiatry, School of Medicine, Washington University, a
neuroscientist and researcher, and one of the world's foremost authorities
on excitotoxins. (He informed Searle in 1971 that aspartic acid caused
holes in the brain of mice.) Also included is Francis J. Waickman, M.D., a
recipient of the Rinkel and Forman Awards, and Board certified in
Pediatrics, Allergy, and Immunology
?
Well it would appear that the Yarnall's have had a presence on the
high seas and in the US Navy. Another of our cousins from the past is
Wilbur Yarnall. Wilbur was the third child of Luella (McGee) and James
Elmer Yarnall and according to Harry H. Yarnell and Ruth (Brookman) Yarnell
in their book "A Partial Genealogy of the Name Yarnall - Yarnell 1683 -
1970," prior to his marriage, Wilbur joined the Navy and was a member of
the crew of the Battleship Oregon when it sailed around the Horn of South
America to engage in the battle at Santiago, Cuba during the
Spanish-American Way. Let our Naval Historian, Paul Robert Yarnall explain
what happened. . .
"The Battleship Oregon (BB-3) was leaving dry dock after repairs on
February 16, 1898 when word was received that the Battleship Maine had
blown up in Havana Harbor on the previous day. The Oregon and cuz Wilbur
set sail for San Francisco where she arrived on March 9, 1898. After taking
on Food and arms she was ordered to undertake one of the most epic voyages
in naval history. Departing San Francisco March 19, 1898, the Oregon set
sail for Callao Chile , the first coaling station, where she arrived on
April 4. Departing 3 days later for Valparaiso Chile the 2nd coaling stop.
Oregons commanding officer Captain C. E. Clark was informed that war with
Spain was highly likely at any time. He elected to bypass Valpariso and
sailed directly for the Strait Of Magellan (horn of South America) which
she entered on April 16th and ran into a severe gale and was forced to drop
anchor and ride out the storm due to the narrow channel. Setting sail at
dawn on the 17th and put into Punta Arenas Chile to coal. Oregon was joined
by the Gun Boat Marietta which was also going to the East Coast. Both ships
set sail on April 21st, bound for Rio DeJaneiro, which they reached April
30th. While both ships took on coal and supplies, word came on May 4th that
we were at war with Spain. Departing Rio on the dame day, both ships
reached Barbados on May 18th and took on coal. Both ships dropped anchor at
Jupiter inlet Florida on May 24th and reported 'Ready For Battle. The
Oregon had sailed 14,000 miles in 66 days and proved once and for all, the
Heavy Battle Ship could handle all kinds of seas and weather. Also, this
historic voyage swept away all remaining opposition to building the Panama
Canal. The US simply could not afford to wait 2 months for warships to sail
from one coast to the other every time an emergency arose.
So cousin Wilbur and his ride on a Battleship led directly to the
Building of the Panama Canal and as Paul Harvey would say, that is the rest
of the story. But wait, is there still another story to be told? It is my
understanding that cousin Wilbur was born in 1891, and married Betty Frahm
in 1927. Now, since the Battleship Oregon sailed from San Francisco on
March 9, 1898, that would make Wilbur 7 years old. I don't think so.
Something is missing. Can anyone fill in the missing pieces? Great, another
mystery........
?
Since we are on the Nautical episodes of the family, let me tell
you a little bit about our cousin Admiral Harry E. Yarnell. This is a story
that was relayed to me by William B. Rossman, the grandson of Harry E.
Yarnell's sister, Mabel Yarnell Dunbar. It seems that the Yarnell children
were orphaned and Mabel was raised by the Dunbar family in Iowa. While
Mabel took their last name, it is not certain that she was formerly
adopted. In any case, as the children grew to maturity, Harry E. Yarnell
helped to put Mabel through college at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa.
This was sometime around 1900 to 1905 and her major was the German
language. After graduating, Mabel went to Heidleburg, again with her
brother's financial assistance, and then on to Everett, Washington where
she taught German in the High School. After teaching 2 years, she married
her college sweetheart, the up and coming young lawyer, William Peck Bair.
The marriage took place in Everett, but she immediately returned to Des
Moines, Iowa. Her marriage certificate is on file at the Snohomish County
Courthouse and lists the date as August 25, 1909. William writes, that
Mabel's eldest son, David Bair lives in Winnetka Ill. and has some of the
original Des Moines newspaper clippings of William Bair's marriage, way out
west, to the beautiful Miss Dunbar. Of course she was really a Yarnell. The
house listed as her residence is still standing, in between two apartments.
The high school was replaced with a new one in 1927 and he is not sure
where the one she taught in was located. At any rate, William writes that
Harry's generosity in putting his sister through college and then on to
Germany is always a topic of conversation in their family. His mother
Marian, Mabel's only daughter is in a nursing home and still remembers
quite a bit about the past.
?
>From the computer corner a few lines to tickle your fancy.
1.486--Average IQ needed to understand a PC.
2. State-of-of-the-art---Any computer you can't afford.
3. Obsolete--Any computer you own.
4. Microsecond--The time it takes for your state-of-the-
art-computer to become obsolete.
5. Computer Chip---Any starchy foodstuff consumed in mass quantities
while programming.
6. Keyboard--The standard way to generate computer errors.
7. Mouse--An advanced input device to make computer errors easier to
generate.
8. Floppy--The state of your wallet after purchasing a computer.
9. Hard Drive--The sales technique employed by most computer salesmen.
?
The Yarnall family and the history in which they played a part over
the years has always been a subject for awe and as a result, it has
generated news coverage. From the Chester times of 1938 we read the
following:
Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlers
Men Who Established Homes in This Section of Pennsylvania
and Were Instrumental
in Building Up the Area--Majority Took
Up Farming.
Peter Yarnall was the son of Mordecai Yarnall, a worthy Quaker
preacher of Philadelphia. After receiving a moderately good school
education he was placed out to learn a trade, but, differing with his
master, at the age of 18 years, he left him and enlisted in the military
service from which, after some trouble, his friends obtained his release.
After arriving at age he commenced the study of medicine, but upon
the revolt of the American colonies in 1776 he entered the American
service, acting generally as surgeon's mate in various divisions of the
army and in several hospitals. Towards the close of 1778 his health failed
to such a degree that he was dismissed from the service at his own request.
He again resumed the study of medicine and in February 1719, the
College of Medicine of Philadelphia conferred on him the degree of Doctor
of Medicine. He immediately resumed his connection with the military
service and sailed as surgeon's mate on board the privateer ship Delaware.
He returned in the following June and attended strictly to practice of the
Pennsylvania Hospital. At this time a change came over his religious
feelings and he again united himself with the Quakers, and in 1780 when he
removed to Horsham, Montgomery county where his wife died in 1795.
In 1797 he married Hannah Thornton, of Byberry. He was a man of
ability, was skillful as a physician and became eminent as a minister of
the gospel among Friends. He died in 1798, aged 45 years.
______________
Philip Yarnall, a native of England, was a member of Darby Monthly
Meeting of Friends as early as 1684. While he remained unmarried he resided
with his brother, Francis, on rented land in Springfield township. In 1694
he married Dorothy Baker, a daughter of Joseph Baker, of Edgmont, where he
went to reside on land he purchased there. His death occurred in 1734. His
wife died in 1743.
_______________
Francis Yarnall probably immigrated with his brother, Philip in
1684 and first settled in Springfield township on rented land. he was for a
time a member of Darby Monthly Meeting of Friends, but subsequently
belonged to Chester Meeting. In 1686 he married Hannah Baker, daughter of
Joseph Baker, of Edgmont. In 1708 he resided in Chester borough. He was a
man of considerable influence in the community and in 1711 he represented
the county in the Provincial Assembly. His children were Sarah, John, Peter
Moses, Francis. Joseph, Amos and Mordecai.
?
Now we really have a search for everyone. We have been asked to try
to locate two people. Benjamin Jefferson Yarnall and Sarah Louise Yarnall
Armstrong. In both cases, we would like an address or phone number where
they can be reached. Ben Jefferson Yarnall's where-abouts is being sought
by Ruth (Goodrich) Yarnall Swanzy of Houston Texas, and Sarah Louise is
being sought by her long lost cousin Walter Lewis Yarnall of Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania. In both cases, I can act as the intermediary and pass on the
necessary information.
?
Now this is the time that I look forward to - when in the winter
time we could snuggle up to the old fireplace, for the "Family Circle
Person of the Month." With this heat wave we have been having, its snuggle
up to a glass of iced tea and the air conditioner. I'll bet our ancestors
would love that. Our Aaahh, Hmmmm, Honoree (that's it) is Sue Prifogle.
Sue traces her line through the Philip line as follows:
1) Philip & Dorothy Baker Yarnall
2) John & Abigail Williamson Yarnall
3) Thomas & Margaret Hill Yarnall
4) Mary Yarnall & Joseph Baker
5) Nehemiah & Jane Morrison Baker
6) Mary Baker & Francis Swain
7) Gulielma Swain & Ammiel Hunt
8) Emmor & Emma Gifford Hunt
9) Gifford & Freda Reynolds Hunt
10) Joyce Hunt & Robert Prifogle
11) Sue Prifogle -- that's me...
Actually, Sue has done a nice job of tracing her line down through
the Pennell's to Gifford Hunt and Freda Reynolds Hunt when the two lines
merge; but rather than me tell you about Sue, lets allow Sue the chance to
(spit this one out - just kidding) introduce herself to the rest of the
family.......
Hi, cousins! My name is Sue Prifogle and I descend through the
Yarnall & Baker families via a fancy bit of inbreeding which was pretty
common for most all the Quaker families in my lineage. The Yarnall & Baker
blood traces down through my maternal grandfather, Gifford Hunt, who was
born a Quaker (more about him later). First, a little about me, I guess. I
was born in Rushville, Indiana, 37 years ago. When I graduated from High
School, I SWORE I'd never come back to this place. However, eleven years
later (and two colleges & libraries later), I returned to Rushville to take
the position of Director at the Rushville Public Library. I'm single, but
last Christmas time I became engaged to a terrific man I met through the
Internet (See? Good things DO come from the Net!). Ernie lives in St.Louis
and we see each other every other weekend (and talk every day via email).
One of the first things I explained to him was Quakerism & how everyone in
my lineage were related to each other. This did not deter him a bit and
he's sticking with me anyway! *grin* My only children are two cats - Cy
Young who is 12 years old and Isabella, age 5. Besides library business,
genealogy, & Ernie, my other hobbies consist of old movies, music, and
antiques. Guess you could say I like old stuff!
My interest in genealogy started more than 20 years ago in high
school. In fact, it was a history assignment (thank you, Mr. Wilson!). I
had so much fun talking to my grandmas and writing to relatives I didn't
know about our family that I became hooked!
I have a BA in History from Indiana University and my Masters in
Library Science from Ball State U. I guess I had designs on becoming a
professional genealogist, but things didn't go that way. I wound up in
public libraries where I can still dabble in genealogy for folks who write
or call for family history info. Like I said earlier, my connection to the
Yarnall (and Baker)
family is through my mom's father. He died a year before I was born, but
I've heard a lifetime of stories about him! He was born in Wayne County
(near Fountain City), Indiana, in 1892. He was not only the second child
in the family, but he had red hair! And in my family, at least, that's a
pretty cruel combination. Let me explain. From the stories I've heard, he
was quite a hellion! His parents, Emmor & Emma (Gifford) Hunt, and family
converted from Quakerism to Methodism in the late 1890's. And, I wonder if
my grandpa wasn't part of the reason. I wouldn't be surprised if the
Quaker congregation showed them the door (and locked it behind them). One
story I've been told concerns my grandpa at about age 4 or 5. He was
running around the Quaker church (raising cane). He was finally collared
by some crotchety elder woman who scolded him with a crooked pointer
finger. Well, Grandpa SPIT on her! This was just the first of many
hell-raising episodes my grandpa was involved in throughout his life. How
my grandma, the most mild-mannered, quiet & modest woman I've ever known,
caught him, I'll never know! And now that I've alienated every Quaker,
red-haired, and/or elderly woman reading this (grin) I better say quickly
that finding the Internet was one of the greatest things that has ever
happened to me! I had NO idea I had so many cousins, and the family
history information seems to be endless! I enjoy corresponding with and
reading about all of you.
Thank you Sue for sharing with the rest of your family. With a name
like Cy Young, I'll bet one of your children is a ball player... and pretty
good at batting flyes(??).... By the way, have you set the wedding date? I
guess meeting someone on the internet is OK, just don't send them flowers -
just kidding.
?
Birthdays! Just a note to all those who enjoy looking at the
birthday list. I will publish one this month, but it is hopelessly out of
date. I will take the next couple of weeks to try to update and correct the
monthly lists. As a backdrop, I was working with a list of a couple of
thousand names; that has expanded to over 6,500 names. After updating the
list, I must then decide how to present the information. It may prove too
large to handle the way it has been presented these past few years. I do
not know how all of you feel about the birthday list, but I kind of like to
look for double and triple birthdays on my birth date. I would also like
to include both the living and those that have gone on to glory, but I am
afraid that would have to be a separate publication. I believe that I will
provide copies of a combined birthday list at each yearly picnic, and
publish a monthly version of those who are still celebrating them - No,
that does not mean that if you are still living, but not celebrating them,
that you are not on the list - just kidding.
?
For me it is always a thrill opening the doors to our genealogical
past. Our history always stuns me. Like walking around at the Family picnic
with a cap on with the name USS Yarnall, DD-541, and knowing it represented
only one of many hero's in the family. What troubles me is the question,
will your descendants be able to look back with wonder and pride on the
current generation. What chance do our children or their children have to
be called hero's in the future? Our ancestors were influenced by Moody or
George Fox. What will influence our children? I read recently that
Pollsters had determined that Prime-Time TV is raunchier, sexier and more
obscene than ever, with Fox leading the way. This view was expressed by two
U. S. Senators when on May 8th Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, Connecticut
Democrat, said that "Family hour is dead," referring to the traditionally
family-friendly fare between 8 and 9 p.m. "The safe haven we once counted
on has now turned into a broadcast bordello, " he said. "Steamy sex scenes,
crude innuendo and outright obscenities--material we never even imagined
being on commercial television--are now the nightly norm." Statistics he
quoted from a newly released report from the Parents Television Council, a
subsidiary of the Alexandria-based Media Research Center, showed Fox as
'the most foul-mouthed network," with more than two obscenities an hour. It
was also labeled the most sexually obsessed network. In 18 hours of
programming, screeners tabulated 37 obscenities and 19 sexual references.
"We might find some of this stuff humorous and not offensive," Mr.
Lieberman said, "but according to the Nielsen ratings, there are millions
of kids under 11 watching this.
Sen. Sam Brownback, Kansas Republican, said he and fellow senators
keep asking TV monguls to clean up the airwaves. "I plead with the
industry, they define the culture and they are defining the culture down."
Mr. Brownback said "I constantly hear parents say they feel they have to
fight their culture to raise their kids." In 93 hours of programming
involving 144 shows in the traditional family hour, one-third of the
programs contained vulgar language, the report said, and 31% referred to
sex. Portrayals of premarital, extramarital and alternate lifestyles
outnumbered sex within marriage by 8-to-1.
This is the influence that our children are being subjected. But
then you may say, "What about the influence of the school system?" Funny
you should ask. We are constantly being reminded about the disaster that
has become our public education system. In Los Angeles, parents have sued
the state over conditions at the Compton school district, where gang
recruiters rove playgrounds, drinking fountains are dry, toilets don't
flush and students pack pistols. The suit filed Wednesday charges the
administration by the state Education Department has left the schools so
dangerous and dirty that it amounts to "state sponsored child abuse." You
can bring a gun or knife to school, but woe unto the person that would pack
a bible. What is happening to this country, to the morals, to the dreams
for a better life? How have we so desperately strayed from the teachings of
our faith? Let us return once again to the writings of "The Rebirth of
America" published by The Arthur S. DeMoss Foundation.
? Time to Wake Up?
Is The Great American Dream
Turning Into A Nightmare?
God has showered upon America 200 years of blessing. As she
acknowledged and obeyed her Creator, God elevated her from infancy to a
place of world leadership. he has allowed her to enjoy unprecedented
wealth, freedom and influence. America has led the world in medical and
technological advancement. The nation has pioneered in space, pushed back
the frontiers of science, and given its citizens the world's highest
standard of living. America has opened her arms to millions of immigrants
and refugees, first from Europe, then more recently from the Far East:
Laotians, boat people, Vietnamese. Add to this the stream of new residents
from Mexico and other Latin countries. While other nations build barbed
wire fences to keep people from getting out, America greets a long line of
people waiting to get in. With grateful and humble hearts, Americans once
honored the God who granted her blessings and freedoms. But slowly--almost
imperceptibly --she began to attribute her blessings not so much to God,
but to man.
A Fatal Lapse of Memory
Forgetting to acknowledge "the power that hath made and preserved
us a nation," her citizens began to congratulate themselves on their own
achievements--to celebrate man, while relegating God to the back seat. The
god of secular humanism began to infiltrate all of her institutions.
Wallowing in materialism, self-centeredness and pride, many Americans
decided that they really did not need God after all. Some began to tamper
with God's absolute standards, and to tolerate what they would never have
allowed before--in their own lives or in society around them. That which
God says is never right could be sometimes right, depending on the
situation. Courts that had once legislated against immorality began to
grant freedom to every man to "do that which was right in his own eyes"
(see Judges 17:6 and 21:5). Lines of right and wrong blurred. In time, all
sorts of ungodly behavior became acceptable--even admired. Americans no
longer were shocked. Eyes grew "accustomed to the dark." Few citizens rose
up in outrage. When God fades from a nation's conscience, one can justify
almost anything.
God says, "Thou shalt not Kill." Americans gave murder a new name
and indifferently aborted 1,500,000 unborn babies last year (1996) alone.
Many tried to camouflage sin with new terminology.....(and as the frog in
the pan gets cooked before he recognizes that it is getting warmer, recent
reports of babies delivered at a High School dance and in a bus terminal is
a sign of a lack of respect for life, not to mention the moral
degradation)...God calls it "drunkenness, " We call it "alcoholism--a
social disease." God calls it "sodomy." We call it "homosexuality--gay
rights, and alternate lifestyle." God calls it "perversion." We call it
"pornography--adult entertainment." God calls it "immorality." We call it
the "new morality." God calls it "cheating." We call it "abnormal social
development." With the dissolving of absolutes, America's crime rate has
spiraled, until it now costs taxpayers $2 billion a year. A serious crime
is committed every 3.5 seconds, one robbery every 83 seconds, one murder
every 27 minutes. Drug addiction and alcohol are in pandemic proportions,
More than 500,000 heroin addicts live in the United States, and 43 million
Americans have experimented with marijuana. The United States now has more
than 9 million alcoholics. Suicide is the second largest killer of
teenagers. Teenage pregnancies, incest and sexual child abuse draw national
attention. More than 2 million Americans a year contract gonorrhea.
Pornographic magazines (more than 20 million a year) and books crowd the
newsstands. Video-cassette stores now market the products of X-rated
theaters. One out of every two marriages ends in divorce. Some 1.3 million
unmarried couples now live together, according to the United States Census
Bureau. The IRS has made abortion clinics "charitable" organizations,
therefore exempt from taxes.
America once legislated against those things that God said to be
wrong. But gradually we began to tolerate, then accept, then condone
openly, and even promote, that which was once.....(there goes that frog
again)....unthinkable. The perversion and degradation that once made us
blush are now flaunted before the eyes of a nation that was conceived in
the fear of God. It has happened, little by little, right before our
eyes---not because someone forced it on us, but seemingly because we did
not care. We just didn't care. And so, we are living out the truth of God's
Word given to a past generation: "And it shall be, when the Lord thy God
shall have brought thee into the land which He swore unto thy fathers, to
give thee great and goodly cities, which thou buildest not, and houses full
of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou
diggedst not, vineyard and olive trees, which thou plantedst not, when thou
shalt have eaten and be full; then beware lest thou forget the Lord...and
thou say in thine heart, My power and the might of mine hand hath gotten me
this wealth: (Deut. 6:10-12;8:17).
From General Lewis W. Walt we read: "We can see these symptoms of
materialism throughout our society, but the most visible one is loss of
courage. People stand by and watch a fellow citizen being beaten or stabbed
and they do not interfere. They are afraid. Our political leaders watch
communism gobble up other nations and they do nothing. They are afraid.
People complain in private about the state of affairs but will not speak
out in public. They are afraid..... and as an addendum, while you may not
totally agree with everything or every idea I express, I am trying to speak
out and to encourage you to do likewise.
Much Much Love,
Fred
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