Open primaries bill introduced in Congress
Kentucky
Michael & Suzanna Melycher Family
This photo was taken 25 May 1936 presumably in Fairfield County, Connecticut of the Melycher family.
Michael Melycher was born 20 October 1869 in Modrová, Nové Mesto nad Váhom, Trenčiansky, Slovakia. Suzanna Gajdosik was born 22 June 1878 in the same location. Michael and Suzanna were married 3 February 1896. I am not clear when they immigrated to the United States, some records show as early as 1897, others as late as 1909.
Michael and Suzanna had 10 children.
Stephanus Melycher born September 1898 and died before 1903 in Slovakia.
Michael Carl Melycher born 7 April 1900 in Mondrova and died 30 April 1987 in Newport, Campbell, Kentucky.
John R Melycher born 29 April 1902 in Austria and died 16 February 1985 in Fort Lauderdale, Broward, Florida. His wife, May B Linderman, is also in the photo above. She was born 28 May 1911 in Kentucky and passed in 1995 in Fort Lauderdale.
Father Stephen Daniel Melycher was born 4 February 1905 in Austria and died 20 January 1997 in Brooklyn, Anne Arundel, Maryland.
Joseph Romano Melycher born 16 August 1910 in Croton Falls, Putnam, New York and died 19 August 1993 in Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut. His wife, Myrtle Beardsley, is also in the photo above. She was born 7 April 1915 in Newtown, Fairfield, Connecticut and passed 30 May 1992 in Danbury.
Anna Mary Melycher born 10 March 1912 in Croton Falls and died 14 August 1990 in Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut.
Mary Melycher born 27 February 1914 in Croton Falls and died 16 September 2013.
Anthony Francis Melycher born 15 November 1915 in Bridgeport and died 8 September 1984 in Danbury.
William Francis Melycher born 21 September 1918 in Newtown and died 14 July 1997 in Newtown. My Uncle Willie, or William Francis Melycher Jr is the son of William Sr.
Rudolph Melycher born 17 March 1920 in Newtown and died 20 September 1920 in Newtown.
Michael Sr died 22 August 1947 in Bridgeport. Suzanna died 7 January 1959, also in Bridgeport.
Here is another picture of the same occasion.
Glacus Merrill’s Class
Back(l-r): Ira Hillyard, Unknown, Bob Johnson, Junior Petterborg, Irwin Jonas, Unknown, Unknown. 2nd from Back: Unknown, Ruth Rich, Kaye Funk, Anna Lawrence, Joyce Larsen, Ruth Hutchinson, Nadine Johnson, Darrel Smith. Middle Row: Unknown, Unknown, Eva Kershaw, Lyle Wilding, Unknown, Afton Sorensen, Dorothy Nielson, Unknown, Norwood Jonas. 2nd from Front: Alvin Spackman, Bernice Frandsen, Unknown, Glacus Merrill, Joy Erickson, Unknown, Allen Spackman. Front: Garr Christensen, Oral Ballam Jr, LaMar Carlson, Unknown, Gail Spackman, Ivan Anderson, Warren Hamp.
This is Glacus Merrill’s class from what I believe is 1936. He taught class at Park School in Richmond, Cache, Utah. Several individuals have assisted me to name the individuals I have so far. There are too many unknowns that I hope to clarify in the future. If anyone can help, I would certainly appreciate it. My Grandfather, Norwood, and his brother, Irwin, are both in the photo. Irwin died in World War II, and I assume some of the rest did as well.
I have listed all the individuals below with some limited information I could find on them. At the very bottom is Glacus’ obituary.
Ira William Hillyard (1924-2009)
Unknown
Robert “Bob” Jay Johnson (1924-2009)
Junior “Pete” Lee Petterborg (1923-1990)
Irwin John Jonas (1921-1944)
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Ruth Rich
Norma Kaye Funk (1924-2002)
Anna May Lawrence (1924-1988)
Joyce Larsen (1924-1968)
Ruth Hutchinson (1924-2002)
Nadine Johnson (1924-2005)
Darrel Wilmot Smith (1924-2008)
Unknown
Unknown
Eva Kershaw
Lyle Wilding (1924-2002)
Unknown
Mary Afton Sorensen (1923-2008)
Dorothy Nielson (1924-2019)
Unknown
Wilburn Norwood Jonas (1924-1975)
Alvin Chester Spackman (1923-1994)
Bernice Frandsen (1924-2002)
Unknown
Glacus Godfrey Merrill (1905-2002)
Joy Erickson (1924-2010)
Unknown
Allen Elijah Spackman (1923-1997)
Garr Dee Christensen (1923-2002)
Oral Lamb Ballam (1925-2016)
Victor LaMar Carlson (1923-2008)
Unknown
Harold Gail Spackman (1924-1991)
Ivan Carl Anderson (1923-2017)
Warren Thomas Hamp (1924-2009)
Here is a copy of the obituary I found for Glacus. Wow, I wish my school teachers had been this amazing.
LOGAN – Glacus G. Merrill, 96, died of causes incident to age in Logan, Utah on Saturday, February 9, 2002. He was born May 27, 1905 in Richmond, Utah to Hyrum Willard and Bessie Cluff Merrill. He is a grandson of Marriner W. Merrill, a pioneer prominent in the settling of Cache Valley, an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the first president of the Logan LDS Temple. He married Constance B. Bernhisel in 1925, and they were later divorced. He married Marie B. Bailey, March 24, 1945 in Washington D.C. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Logan LDS Temple.
While attending school, he participated in track and football at North Cache and Brigham Young College, where he graduated in 1925. Glacus graduated from Utah State University in 1935 and also attended the University of Utah and Chico State College in California. He is a graduate of the REI Radio Engineering School in Sarasota, Florida. He was the principal of the Richmond Park School for 11 years and served in the U.S. Navy for four years during World War II. He served an LDS mission to California from 1954-1955. While living in the East, he served as President of the West Virginia Farm Bureau and the State Black Angus Association. He is an honorary Kentucky Colonel. He also served as President and District Governor of Lions Clubs in Utah and West Virginia, and was a member of the Lions Club for 42 years. Glacus was Vice President of the West Virginia Broadcasters Association, and is a member of the USU Old Main Society. He established a Scholarship Fund in the Communications Department at USU. The Montpelier, Idaho Jaycees presented him with their outstanding Citizen’s Award. He was also a member of the Montpelier Rotary Club, Utah Farm Bureau, VFW and American Legion. He is a member of the “Around the World Club” having traveled around the world with his son, Gregory. He and his wife, Marie traveled extensively. Merrill was a popular Rodeo announcer in his early days. He authored the book “Up From the Hills” which was finished in 1988 and is available in area libraries.
Honored by the Utah Broadcasters as a pioneer in Radio Broadcasting, Merrill started his broadcasting career in 1938 as part owner and Program Director at KVNU Radio in Logan. After serving four years in the Navy, he built his first radio station Clarksburg, West Virginia. He owned and operated 11 other stations in West Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Idaho and Utah, including stations in Montpelier, Idaho and Logan, Utah. He was well known for his frank and outspoken editorials, news and comments on KBLW in Logan. He has given over 7,000 newscasts and editorials always ending them with the saying, “Have Good Day Neighbor.” In 56 years of radio broadcasting, he trained several young broadcasters who are now making good.
As a hobby, wherever he lived, he operated a cattle ranch and farm. He served in many civic and church activities including counselor in the LDS Stake MIA, counselor in the East Central Stake Mission Presidency, 5 years as a Branch President and 11 years as District President in West Virginia. He also served as Deputy Scout Commissioner in Idaho and for 12 years taught the High Priest Class in the Logan 3rd Ward and served for several years as the High Priest Group Leader. He was an avid supporter of many missionaries in the area.
His wife, Marie preceded him in death on April 22, 1993, as well as six brothers and one sister. He is survived by his two daughters, Darla D. (Mrs. Dennis Clark) of Logan; Madge (Mrs. Melvin Meyer) of Smithfield; one son, G. Gregory (Joan) Merrill of Logan; nine grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon on Thursday, February 14, 2002, at the Logan 3rd Ward Chapel, 250 North 400 West, with Bishop Grant Carling conducting. Friends and family may call Wednesday evening, February 13th, at the Nelson Funeral Home, 162 East 400 Norther, Logan from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Thursday at the church from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Interment will be in the Richmond City Cemetery.
Fun Bankruptcy Case
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
MERRITT S. DEITZ, Jr., Bankruptcy Judge.
Is a bus a bus, or is it a car?
Reluctantly we conclude that it is a car.
Bankruptcy petitioner, Theodore Roosevelt Johnson, Sr., has claimed as exempt his 1969 Dodge bus. The bus has a seating capacity of 60 passengers. Upon it are occasionally transported members of Johnson’s church congregation.
The trustee vehemently objects. He points to the state exemption statute, KRS 427.010, which in pertinent part permits the exemption of “one motor vehicle and its necessary accessories, including one spare tire, not exceeding $2,500 in value…”
The trustee patiently explains that the legislature intended the term “motor vehicle” to be synonymous with “automobile”.
Enacted in 1980, the statute excluded earlier statutory limits upon the uses to which a motor vehicle might be put, so we must cast altogether aside the trustee’s concern with the voluminous seating capacity of the behemoth. The record is silent on the size of the petitioner’s family and their transportation needs.
Is a Moped a motor vehicle? What would the licensing arm of the state Department of Transportation say to the contention that a bus is not a motor vehicle? What would Gertrude Stein have to say about what a motor vehicle is?
Such rhetorical questions having been considered, we are bold to say that a bus is a motor vehicle.
In our dialectic, during this era of motorized evolution, we are inclined to regard the “bus” and the “automobile” as species of the genus, “motor vehicle”.
This Bankruptcy Court is answerable to an appellate forum of literal bent. That is good, for it gives us guidance and certainty in ascribing to the legislature the ability to express its intent in clear, simple, precise English.
As this trustee will recall, District Judge Thomas Ballantine, in reviewing a decision of this court, recently held that a statutory 15-day limitation upon the recording of chattel mortgages imposed a recording limitation not of indeterminate length, as was contended, but a limitation of 15 days.
Guided by that clarity of perception, we find with conviction that a motor vehicle is a motor vehicle, and not necessarily an automobile. We expressly reserve, until it is properly presented, any consideration of the reverse proposition that an automobile is neither a bus nor a motor vehicle.
Abundantly confident that this opinion will find its way alongside Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland in the lasting library of legal logic, it is hereby
ORDERED that Theodore Roosevelt Johnson, Sr. is entitled to the claimed exemption, and the trustee shall comport his activities accordingly in administration of the estate.
Bkr. Ky. 1981.
In re Johnson
14 B.R. 14
There was another case about whether a tractor-lawnmower could be classified as ‘household furniture”. But the judge doesn’t have as much fun with it as the above judge did. Check it out. 169 B.R. 732
Thanks be given
There is not a whole lot to report on at the present. We enjoyed a Thanksgiving here in blessed Virginia.
Amanda and I drove to Massanutten, a resort up in the hills. We went up to spend Thanksgiving with Amanda’s Uncle and Aunt. It turned out to be an interesting day. I enjoyed the drive up to the area. Gordonsville was the highlight of the day, the town having a personality completely its own. A rare thing it seems these days.
Massanutten wasn’t anything to boast about. They do have a very large indoor water park. Other than that, it was just a bunch of condos in the middle of the mountains. Don’t get me wrong, the mountains were beautiful. How much more beautiful without the “hello, here I am” presence of the resort?
Amanda and I have determined we will never go out to enjoy our Thanksgiving meal again. It seems to undermine what the day is about. Who would have ever thought it was Thanksgiving. Where was any resemblance of Thanksgiving, other than a commercial version of the foods associated with the date?
We went back and pretty much watched the TV for the rest of the day. Driving home, we were relieved to leave the situation which seemed lacking so much.
Hopefully, I can pay some homage to the day here even though the day did not provide much.
This week, I discovered I am the posterity of individuals who lived at Jamestown. Yes, next years celebration of 400 years in America, honored even by the Queen, is directly relevant to me. Not just through this nation, but through my ancestors who lived there. The Clark (or Clarke) family, the Summers, Lumpkin, and Thompson groups I am all related to. There is a possibility my Clark’s even come from the famous John Clark, who was the Master’s Mate on the Mayflower. He had been to Jamestown before, imprisoned in Spain, made the trip of the Mayflower, and eventually made his way back to live in Jamestown. He died not too much afterwards. I am also a descendent of the Graham Clan who settled parts of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky. They extended into Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, and Ohio as well. I am an American very deep in some roots. One of those Grahams was a personal friend of George Washington, and convinced him to help endow a new school he had founded. Yep, a Graham founded Washington and Lee. My history includes three future presidents, universities, and other numerous recorded aids to society.
My roots expand the ocean many times. My roots run to Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and England. My ancestors were in the court of rulers; my ancestors even ruled parts of the Roman Empire. My ancestors come from Sweden, Norway, and the largest number from Germany. I have family who can be traced into Russia, Australia, and a score of other nations. The foundations I have been given are broad and inclusive. I am so very fortunate. Each of us have a history which began long before we were born.
Those blessings extend beyond my family. This nation, which has its hopes in liberty and freedom are one of the greatest blessings to me. I am very fortunate. It may be a weakness in many ways, but is a great boon in many more ways. I pray for the principles upon which it is founded to continue to go to the whole earth. I pray that those principles would be grasped by other nations and be implemented into their states. I pray our nation might return to the principles of truth and freedom for which it is founded.
I remember the lives of those who were given for this freedom I enjoy and others do not. Two of my Great Grandfather’s were gassed in WWI and both lived to tell the tale. Both met painful and difficult deaths due to it. One grandfather has purple hearts to show for his wounds and success in WWII. The other grandfather tried to enroll, but due to health issues was not allowed to be a part.
I pray for the soldiers of freedom everywhere. I care not what nation they represent, as long as they are there for liberty, freedom, and truth. I pray God will bless those who represent those hopes and ideals. That those who do not represent those ideals, or those they represent, will be thwarted in their designs.
It is with gratitude I offer my thanks to He who makes death not a fear. I thank and give adoration to the Savior of all mankind, even Christ that we might all live again. That despite wickedness and fear, we have nothing to fear but sin. I express my deepest thanks for the restoration of His church back on the earth and the miracles which abound about us. The gathering of lost nations, the restoration of Israel, the building up of the kingdom in preparation for the king whose right it is to rule. My deepest sympathies are with the restoration and furthering of eternal purposes upon the earth. My greatest joys and delight come from this impressive, yet almost unrecognizable effort happening in our midst.
I am pleased to have been born at this time of such great blessing. It is with a certain hope I see the future, despite all which is prophesied to come upon us. So much pain that the Saints will barely escape with their lives. We have seen little or nothing of what is to come. Nations will rise up against nations and desolation shall abound on all the earth. Those of the order of God have not need to fear though. This I am grateful for. For the Priesthood which shall protect those within the covert from the storm, for the Resurrection that those who will be lost; both for their own sins and for a more full judgment upon the wicked.
Most close to home I thank for those who are dearest to me. I am thankful for those who so deeply touch the deepest parts of my soul. Many who are now separated from me by death, but that too shall not be for long. My dearest wife, and all her splendor for which I am a blessed soul. My parents who fought and struggled so hard for my upbringing and their abiding love for me.
There is a whole multitude of souls I could reference for their influence in my life. The more I learn and contemplate, the more I realize how intricately every soul is linked to one another. Even years later we remember the influence of another. There are influences from childhood, influences from events far away, and even influence from beyond the grave.
My heart is full. I am thankful for all things.
Arrival in Virginia
We have safely arrived at our home in Glen Allen (Richmond) Virginia. We have now unloaded the car and are in the process of putting things away. Here in a while we will venture out to find food, tp (how rude to not leave any!), and find our way around some. It will surely be an adventure as we have no idea where anything is.
Today we left from Lexington, Virginia and drove here.
Last night we spent the evening with Evan and Amber Fetters. They are friends of mine from USU. They were the ones I visited last year in Baltimore, and we both keep crossing the country.
They took us on a little tour of Lexington. I have to admit, it is such a beautiful town. It has its character and maintains it. I have to admit, I am leaning towards Washington and Lee University just as much as University of Virginia. I loved it there.
We drove from Mt. Sterling, Kentucky yesterday. West Virginia was beautiful. We liked the gold domed capitol building. Nothing too exciting other than that we jumped off of I-64 to skip the turnpike. Since we are thrifty we decided we don’t like toll roads. We took US-60 through some pretty serious back country. It was very beautiful and added a few hours onto our trip.
The day before we drove for over 11 hours. We drove from Branson through St. Louis, Illinois, Indiana, and northern Kentucky. It was beautiful.
Anyhow, time to get back to work. We have a house to organize.
Traveling to Virginia Day #4
The Sabbath has now passed. So I thought I would share a little update before we get going on the road today.
We ended up staying for sure with Andy and Becky Hughes. They have been more than kind to us. Keeping us up, visiting with us, and providing some wonderful food. Breakfast of waffles and such, with dinner of homemade lasagna. All very good.
Went to church in the Branson 2nd Ward. It was good to see so many old friends. We ran into Gary & Kathy Freeman, Sheila Dutton, Marty & Cindy Hughes, Ryan & Carina Hughes, Gary & Lena Hughes, Adam & Vikki Hughes, Merrill Osmond, Jason & Mara Hughes, Steve Arvig, Doug Lowe, and many others. It was great to be back in town. The opening hymn was absolutely powerful. All the hymns were sang in faith. What a refresher. The closing hymn was America the Beautiful, and most of the families have performed this show before so it came out in 6 part harmony in Sacrament Meeting. It is amazing how music changing the power of a meeting. It was Testimony Meeting, which was good, despite the usual missionary field-interesting ones. All of church was great, especially to see so many old friends.
After church we came home and dressed more comfortably and chatted for a while. We were scheduled for dinner with the Lowe family. We went over and had a wonderful dinner. The missionaries were there, one of which Amanda graduated from school with. Anna Badger, Lee and Korinne Hamblin, and Kayli also had a friend. Dinner was patriotic and tasteful. I ate way too much.
After visiting with the family, Kami Lowe, and Anna Badger we headed to visit with Terry McCombs. We ended up being there for several hours discussing physics, resonance, the build of the vocal instrument, and Zion. It sure was good to visit with him again.
We returned to Andy and Becky’s, visited for a few hours, and then crashed for the night.
Today we head off to Lexington, Kentucky. Hopefully all goes well.
May’s flowers
I know, I know. It has been too long and I must do better. Sometimes life seems like it is not worth recording, but at other times, it seems I never have time to record what I want to. My journals obviously take precedent, but I can do better at keeping up the blog.
Just finished a weekend at Flaming Gorge with the Hemsley Family. I had a very enjoyable experience. I feel bad because I went with a bit of exhaustion and fatigue. I slept and napped enough to overcome it, but at the loss to my in-laws. I did take considerable time to read on in Rough Stone Rolling and found myself quite inspired by some of it. Again, I think Bushman’s generalizations are far off the mark at times, but I do enjoy the historical facts and timeline. I read the parts dealing quite a bit with the Kirtland years and was captivated. Anyhow, fishing went well. We got there at 2:30 AM on the first night which I was sure would kill me. We slept in, went fly fishing, had breakfast, went back, was rained out, and came back to camp. It was a really slow day. However, it was great for napping and resting. Fly fishing just did not go well though. It was pretty dead. Don’t know if it is my technique or what, but others around me were doing poorly as well. However, the next day was great. We did some fishing at the dam regular style. I caught 6 fish in the time of the morning. We kept two of them, both Bass. That evening we went out again, and I caught another 6 fish. Kept two more, both Bass. For a side note, I ate a filet from one of my Bass last night, I enjoyed it. However, a bit haunted by the thoughts of catching the live fish, then the memory of it being gutted, then the filet process, and now I was eating it. I will comment about our rafting trip on the way down the Green on Saturday afternoon. I was in the non-wild boat for making the trip. However, the wild boat turned out to be pretty weak, and we ended up taking nearly all the rapids straight on. It was a rush, and I very much enjoyed it. One of the final little rapids, we went right over the rock and landed in the hole behind it. We churned in the hole, taking on water, and spinning. I ended up breaking my oar trying to get out of the hole. Others claimed it could turned out to have been a dangerous situation. I felt no fear for my life though. I think it was just a panic they felt. I thought it was a blast and was totally in control. We went over, Bryan nailed me pretty hard as the boat bent, I about was knocked out then. But I was able to pull back in, and worked at getting out. It was hilarious the different responses people have. The river was not very deep, and despite having waders (spelling ??) on, I did not think we were in any danger. The other boat helped us get all of our floating objects that were flooded from our boat. It was a great laugh. I was dying to try it again. Can’t wait to do the Snake or the Colorado. Dad told me the time he went down the Colorado back in the 50’s. Oh man, what a blast it must have been. Spent some good time chatting with Bryan driving. Man, he had quite a few concerns about my marrying Amanda. I am glad they took everything in stride. Over the weekend, I saw loads of characteristics in Bryan that Amanda possesses. Interesting how much we get from our parents.
Last night we made the preparations for our trip to Richmond. I contacted individuals for places to stay across the country. I am really looking forward to it. Our first night we will stay in Denver. The second night we will stay in Independence, Missouri. The next night and Sunday we will spend in Branson, Missouri. The next night we will stay somewhere probably in Kentucky. Don’t know where yet. Then the next night we will stay in Lexington, Virginia. The last day will be the ride into Richmond, unpacking, and returning our rented vehicle. I am looking forward to it. We will visit my family in Missouri on the Saturday, along with Liberty and Independence for church sites, and I would like to visit the Truman Library again. We will have to see. I visited with the Institute Director in Richmond, Virginia. He gave me some good leads on people to contact and places to stay. One of which I feel really good about I visited with today. It is known there as Little Provo. Despite my dislike for Provo, having other LDS people around, along with most of them at the dental school will be good. Especially since Amanda can catch rides with them, and hopefully even be in classes with some of them. The cost is a bit more than I would prefer, however, the other parts might make it worth it. Especially if we have other people coming to visit.
Life continues well here in Provo. I am enjoying life. I have not any complaints. We are still in the Primary, so we don’t deal with the rest of the ward. It is a great blessing. The Sunday before last we stayed with Amanda’s parents (Mother’s Day). We got to take her grandparents back to Payson, and I enjoyed that visit. We also had a little get together with Jill’s family. It was good. I enjoyed the time and stay. I sprayed that same weekend and stopped in to see my Uncle and Aunt Ellis and Geri Jonas in Smithfield. They are doing well. Three of their four children’s families were all represented. It was good to sit and visit with them all. Life is good. I spray again for Larry this weekend. I am looking forward to it. Larry let me borrow an album and a basket of pictures, of which I scanned over an hundred photos. All on the Andra line.
Anyhow, I think I am going to close. I have to go pick up Amanda here in a bit from work. I continue to study for the LSAT in June. I have spent considerable time praying about the issue and feel totally calm about it. I feel no more panic or concern. I will do what I can and take the test. The outcome is whatever happens. How can I expect to be something I am not. I know very plainly that God will put me where he wants me, even if that might not be where I would like. But I know Richmond is definitely the next step to pursue. I do not know what what the future holds, even if law school is an option, but only time will tell. Things are being prepared and laid out. We will just have to wait and see. We are living right and doing what we are supposed to.
Hope all is well. Please feel free to drop me a line. I love to hear from people.
Sagacity 