Earle Haffa
The November 30, 2011 ACGS program was introduced by Vice President/Programs Dianne Gilbert at 1:00 pm in the meeting room at the Geneva Public Library. The subject was “Bag & Brag” and provided an opportunity for members and guests to show and discuss family heirlooms and share the history of these items.
Barbara Rand displayed her cameo earrings “Rebekah at the Well” that had belonged to her grandmother. She also passed around a small dish that had been a recognition of memorizing the most bible verses as a child.
Tom Martin followed by discussing a World War II Japanese rifle that his father was given by a marine.
Dianne Gilbert told the story of her great grandfather Howard Hoskins who was both a violinist and fiddle player. He also made violins during the 1920′s and 1930′s while working as a blacksmith in Hartsgrove. There was a dance floor on the second floor of his blacksmith shop that provided a venue for his music. He was known for his penmanship and fortunately left examples of his good handwriting.
Bob Howe’s great grandfather Orrin Fobes was also a blacksmith and spent his life in Kingsville. He was in the Ohio militia and served with the Ohio Light Infantry for the Union during the Civil War. At the Siege of Atlanta his rifle was shot out of his hands breaking the the stock. The rifle is still in his family and today displays the repaired stock. Orris Fobes wrote many letters to his wife Carolyn during his tenure in the army. Thirty-seven of these letters exist today. He died in 1862 of typhus while in Mississippi leaving Carolyn with seven children.
Earle Haffa read a letter written by family member Olin Stanclift. The letter was written while he accompanied Admiral Byrd on a trip to Antarctica in January 1935 where he served as a dog sled driver. It told of his experiences in September 1934 when he learned to handle the dogs during training in New Hampshire. One hundred sixty-five dogs joined the expedition on the “Jacob Rupert” for their journey to the south pole. The dogs were wild and bad tempered in the beginning but soon became best friends with the drivers. However, most of the drivers were bitten at least once before they learned the “rights” of the dogs. These dogs worked in 55 degree below zero temperatures and withstood the cold. The trip inland at Antarctica was colossal since food had to be secured every twenty-five miles for the return trip. In addition to his sled duties, Olin took pictures of the trip and operated the radio. Although Olin only stood five feet two inches tall he managed the trip extremely well and even rescued Admiral Byrd when he became stranded and helped him return to camp.
Elsie Berg spoke about a blue swan figurine that was always on her grandparent’s organ shelf and her grandfather who did satin stitch embroidery. He also whittled.
No programs will be offered in December. Look for more information on a special program to be held Wednesday, January 25, 2012 at 1:00 pm at the Geneva Public Library. It will be a webinar (seminar by web) on “Building a Research Toolbox” by Thomas MacEntee. Participants will learn not only some of the most important online resources for genealogical research but also how to organize these resources into an easy-to-access and portable virtual toolbox. This webinar is Free and Open to the public.
Judy Wareham
