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]

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

Jean Williams Majorette Pictures

1941 Jackson High School Band Picture

1941 Jackson High School Band Picture

My maternal grandmother, Madrith Jean Williams (Williams), was a Jackson (OH) High School Band majorette during her senior year 1941-1942. I’ve included a portrait and a few newspaper clippings that appeared in the Columbus (OH) Citizen on 12/21/1941. In the above band pictures, Jean is on the far right. Many thanks to my mom, Chris Davis, and aunt, Terry Kaiser, for providing the portrait and newspaper.

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

Ralph Scott Williams Jr. Zippo Lighter

Ralph Scott Williams Jr. Zippo Lighter

The above lighter was given to my grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr., as a safety (ironic) award by the Gulf Interstate Gas Company. It looks well used as my grandfather was a smoker. The lighter was manufactured by Zippo in Bradford, Pennsylvania (their corporate headquarters are still located there.)

This is the first family heirloom picture taken in the light tent my wife constructed for this purpose. Many thanks to her and my aunt, Terry Kaiser, for letting me borrow the lighter.

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

The above article, “Calculating System Gas Balance”, written by my maternal grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr., appeared on pages 65-68 of the May 1967 issue of Pipe Line Industry.  At the time the article was written, Ralph was a measurement superintendent for Columbia Gulf Transmission Company of Houston.  He passed away the following month, on 6/20/1967, while golfing in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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

This Omega railroad pocket watch was recently restored and given to me by my mother, Chris Davis. It belonged to my great grandfather, Donald Edwin Williams.  The watch was given to him upon his retirement as a machinist with the Norfolk and Western Railway. He passed away 9/7/1992 in Minford, Scioto County, Ohio. If you have any family treasures you’d like to contribute, please take a picture of the item and email it to me.

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

Nellie Ruth Williams Son-In-Service Navy Pin

Nellie Ruth Williams Navy Flag Picture

This pin belonged to my great grandmother, Nellie Ruth Williams.  The one blue star on the flag denoted that one son (or husband) was serving in the Armed Forces. A gold star was used to indicate that the family member was killed or had died during the war. Her son (my grandfather), Ralph Scott Williams Jr. served in the United States Navy (USN on the pin) during World War II.  In the second picture, you can see my great grandmother and the Son-In-Service United States Navy flag hanging in their window.

If you have any family treasures you’d like to contribute, please take a picture of the item and email it to me.

Brian Davis – Christine Davis (Williams) – Ralph Scott Williams Jr. – Nellie Ruth Williams (Waits)

The Works of Charles Dickens Volume I

This collection of stories from the late English novelist, Charles Dickens, sits on desk in my parents’ home.  The volume contains some wonderful illustrations and the following stories: Oliver Twist, David Copperfield, Our Mutual Friend, Great Expectations, Little Dorrit, and Martin Chuzzlewit.

After careful inspection, I found the book was published by P.F. Collier in 1880, and was most likely purchased by my maternal grandparents in Ashland, Kentucky during the years 1955-1957.  It’s had its share of wear-and-tear throughout the years.  Click here to view the picture set.

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

Remington Model 511 Scoremaster

This Remington .22 Caliber Model 511 Scoremaster Rifle was originally owned by my grandfather, James Nead Davis.  He later gave it to my father, James Michael Davis, when he was a boy.  This rifle was produced in 6/1939, the model’s first month of production.  According to Remington’s website, there were approximately 381,267 of these rifles made.  The rifle was discontinued in 1963.

Brian Davis – James Michael Davis – James Nead Davis

Ralph Scott Williams Jr. Dog Tag

This dog tag was given to me by my mother, Christine Davis (Williams), around the time I started doing genealogical research in 2001.  It belonged to my grandfather, Ralph Scott Williams Jr.  The following information is on the dog tag:

Name: Ralph S. Williams; Service Number: 570-06-78; Tetanus Toxoid (Vaccination) Received 5/1944; Blood Type O; United States Naval Reserve; Religion: Protestant 

I am currently doing a lot of research on World War II service in my family.  Look for the launch of another website dedicated to this topic sometime next spring.

If you have any family treasures you’d like to contribute, please take a picture of the item and email it to me.

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