Kentucky

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Melycher Family History

John & May, Mary, Michael, William, Stephen, Michael Jr, Suzanna, Anthony, Anna, Myrtle & Joseph Melycher

My Aunt Jackie married Willie Melycher in 1987. I wrote and shared some memories of their wedding previously. Somewhere around 2003, I stopped and visited Willie. We ended up talking about family history and he whipped out this family history. I have had it in my possession since then. I eventually scanned it so I had a digital copy. Recently I had it transcribed. Now I make it available in a much easier format.

MELYCHER FAMILY HISTORY

This history was compiled by Mary A. Melycher in memory of my husband Anthony F. Melycher.  Information was given by family members, vital statistics and birth certificates.  It is hoped that each member receiving a copy please keep it undated so that it will be a valuable source of information for the future.

The information was completed on this date January 14, 1986.

The Melycher family name was entered in the American Immigrants Wall of Honor by M.A. Melycher.  It will be permanently displayed in the renowned Ellis Island, where the family arrived when they came to America.

Michael Melycher

Born in Austria in the year of 1869 (this information taken from birth certificate of Anthony F. Melycher and from a prayer card given out at the time of the funeral).  He died in Bridgeport, Conn. August 22, 1947 at the age of 78.  He married Suzanna Gajdosik, who was also born in Austria in the year 1878 (this information taken from birth certificate of Anthony F. Melycher and from prayer card given at the funeral).  They were married in Austria.  Suzanna died in Bridgeport Conn. on January 7, 1959.  They had ten children, one died in Austria.  Michael, John and Stephen were all born in Austria, and Joseph, Anna, and Mary were born in Croton Falls, New York, Anthony, William and Rudolph were born in Connecticut.

They operated a large dairy farm on Pond Brook Road, in Newtown, Conn. until their retirement, when they went to live with their daughter, Anna Dzurka, in Bridgeport, Conn.  Before the farm was sold many acres of land were given to family members who either built on it, sold it or passed it on to their heirs.  The homestead still stands on Pond Brook Road in Newtown, Conn.

Michael Melycher had the first accredited tuberculin tested dairy herd in the area.  The farm was a large one averageing around two hundred acres and was operated by family members.

Michael Melycher donated land to build a school in the area of George’s Hill Road, which when discontinued reverted back to him and sold to Thomas and Belle Nicholl.

Michael Melycher

Date of birth – April 14, 1900.  Married Helen Moyle Sept. 13, 1937.

Children born of this marriage:

Michael Melycher III – date of birth – April 9, 1939, in Kentucky

Michael Melycher III was married and had four children by the first marriage:

Patty Melycher – date of birth 10-17-62, in California

Kris Melycher – date of birth – 10-29-63 in California

Susie Melycher – date of birth – 6-1-65 in California

Cara Melycher – date of birth – 2-25-69 in California

Michael Melycher III divorced and remarried and adopted Michael C. Melycher – 1-16-77 and had a stepson Jon – date of birth 11-1

Michael Melycher died April 30, 1997

John R. Melycher

Date of birth – April 29, 1902.  In Austria, Date of death Feb. 16, 1985

Married

Stephen D. Melycher

Date of birth – Feb. 15, 1906 in Austria.  He became a Catholic priest and served in the U.S. Army overseas as a Chaplain.

Joseph R. Melycher, Sr.

Date of birth August 16, 1910 in Croton Falls, New York.  Married Myrtle Beardsley Nov. 28, 1935 in Newtown, Conn.  Three children born of this marriage, Joseph, Jr., Ronald, Maureen.  Divorced Myrtle and married Virginia Scofield.  Divorced Virginia and married Phyllis Una Burton May 6, 1961.

Joseph R. Melycher, Jr.

Date of birth – April 15, 1936

Married Sandra Johnson and had two children, Mark and Michael

Joseph R. Melycher, Jr. divorced Sandra and married Mary McCann (divorced)

Mark Melycher – date of birth – April 16, 1957, Danbury, Conn.

Michael Melycher – date of birth – March 10, 1960.

Mark Melycher

Date of birth – April 16, 1957, Danbury, Conn.  Married Pollyanna Parks April 15, 1979.  Three children born of this marriage:  Chrystal Melycher date of birth – August 17, 1979, and twin daughters, Bonnie and Jennifer Melycher – date of birth – February 4, 1981.  All born in Danbury, Conn.

Anna Melycher

Date of birth – March 10, 1912 – in Croton Falls, New York.  Married Anthony Dzurka in Newtown, Conn. Oct. 22, 1938.  One child born of this marriage:  Carolyn Dzurka – date of birth – July 13, 1940, Bridgeport, Conn.

Anna Dzurka died Aug. 14, 1990 in Bridgeport, Conn.

Mary Melycher

Date of birth – February 28, 1914.  Married Alfred Appell in Newtown, Conn. Oct. 30, 1937.  One daughter born of this marriage:  Suzanne Appell – date of birth – June 10, 1940 in Danbury, Conn.

Suzanne Appell married Ronald Gaucher in Florida (divorced).  Married later.

Joseph R. Melycher, Sr.

Date of birth – August 16, 1910 – Croton Falls, New York

Married Myrtle Beardsley Nov. 28, 1935 in Newtown, Conn. (divorced)

Children born of this marriage:

Joseph R. Melycher, Jr. – date of birth – April 15, 1936

Married Sandra Johnson and had two children, Mark, and Michael.  Joseph R. Melycher, Jr. divorced Sandra and married Mary McCann (divorced)

Ronald Michael Melycher – date of birth – July 23, 1938, in Sandy Hook, Newtown, Conn.

Married Patricia Ann Trocolla Dec. 21, 1957 in St. Joseph’s Church, Danbury, Conn.  They had four children and adopted one.

Coreen Melycher, Tracie Melycher, Ronald Melycher, Stephen Melycher, and (adopted) William Melycher.

Maureen Melycher – date of birth – June 1943.

Married George Duncan in Danbury, Conn. and had three children, George Duncan, Craig Duncan, Robert Duncan.

Joseph R. Melycher, Sr. also married Virginia Scofield. (divorced)

Joseph Melycher, Sr. married Phyllis Una Burton May 6, 1961

Linda H. (George Duncan), son of Maureen, had two children – Amanda

Craig D. and Linda I. Duncan-Melycher had a son born in Danbury Hospital that died in infancy Dec. 16, 1989.  Craig D. Duncan is a son of Maureen Melycher-Duncan.

Anthony Francis Melycher

Date of birth – November 15, 1915, Bridgeport, Conn.  Died at Danbury Hospital September 8, 1984 of intercerebral hemmorrhage.

Married Mary Ann Rzchowski June 24, 1939, St. Rose of Lima Church, Newtown, Conn.  He was a trailer truck driver for thirty years, and started and operated Melycher’s Danbury Exterminating Company until he retired in 1981.

Children born of this marriage: Anthony F. Melycher, Jr., Donald William Melycher, Richard Phillip Melycher, Karen Louise Melycher, and Jean Marie Melycher.

Anthony Francis Melycher, Jr. date of birth – April 14, 1940, Danbury, Ct.  Died June 2, 1979 in an automobile accident in New Milford, Conn.

Married Christine Brenda Lucsky February 1, 1964 in Danbury, Conn.

Children born or adopted in this marriage:  (Served U.S. Army Reserves)

David Anthony Melycher – date of birth – January 17, 1970 in New Milford, Conn.

Melissa Kim Melycher – (adopted) July 27, 1972.  Date of birth March 18, 1967, Seoul, Korea.

Leah Melycher – (adopted November 17, 1976) – date of birth – May 2, 1974, Seoul, Korea.

Christine Brenda Melycher married Donald Wharton January 1, 1983 – (divorce January 28, 1985).

Christine Melycher Wharton adopted Adela delCarmen Wharton (DOB 1-81)

Donald William Melycher – date of birth – March 5, 1941, Danbury, Conn.  Served in U.S. Air Force November 1959 – November 1962.

Married Patricia Frances Graff November 23, 1962 in Clifton, New Jersey. (divorced)

Children born of this marriage: Timothy Francis Melycher, Todd Christophe Melycher, Tracey Elizabeth Melycher (adopted), and Dennis Melycher.

Timothy Francis Melycher – date of birth – October 13, 1963, Fort Worth, Texas.  Served in U.S. Submarine Service of the U.S. Navy.

Todd Christopher Melycher – date of birth – September 12, 1966 in New Jersey.  Served in U.S. Navy.

Tracey Elizabeth Melycher – date of birth – September 1, 1967. (adopted).  Enlisted in U.S. Air Force.

Dennis Melycher – May 12, 1970 in New Jersey.

Richard Phillip Melycher – date of birth – September 5, 1942, Danbury, Conn.

Married Barbara Boergermann October 12, 1974 in St. Peter’s Church, Danbury, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Jacqueline Theresa Melycher – date of birth – March 17, 1983, Danbury, Conn.

Richard Phillip Melycher, Jr. – date of birth, April 11, 1986, Danbury, Conn.

Karen Louise Melycher – date of birth – August 23, 1943, Danbury, Conn.

Married Vincent Weis June 5, 1965 St. Peter’s Church, Danbury, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Jean Louise Weis – date of birth – May 24, 1966, Danbury, Conn.

Jason Weis – date of birth – January 22, 1972, Danbury, Conn.

Jean Marie Melycher – date of birth – July 14, 1945, Danbury, Conn.  Died July 19, 1945 in Danbury Hospital of prematurity.  Buried in St. Peter’s Cemetary Section #12  No. 760.

William Francis Melycher

Date of birth – September 21, 1918.  Married Laura Henrietta Einsman June 13, 1943.

Laura Henrietta (Einsman) date of birth October 16, 1917, died August 31, 1971.

Children born of this marriage:

Arthur William Melycher, Diane Marie Melycher, William Francis Melycher, Jr.

Arthur William Melycher, date of birth – November 5, 1948.  Married Monica Ellen Patronelli – date of birth – June 6, 1953 – marriage date March 11, 1972.

Children born of this marriage:

Michael Arthur Melycher, date of birth – Sept. 20, 1972

Sean Thomas Melycher, date of birth – May 12, 1975

Laura Bridgett Melycher, date of birth – February 5, 1983

Active duty in U.S. Navy Aug. 27, 1967, to retire August 1, 1988

YNC Chief Petty Officer Arthur W. Melycher

Diane Marie Melycher, date of birth – January 11, 1954.  Married Joseph Tenk October 21, 1977.  Registered nurse

Children born of this marriage:

Daniell Kristen Tenk – date of birth – January 15, 1986 Norwalk Hospital

William Francis Melycher, Jr. date of birth March 25, 1955.  Married Paula Larsen 6-18-82 (divorced).  Married Jacqueline Jonas 7-23-88.  May Melycher date of birth 1-21-89.

Rudolph Melycher

Date of birth – March 17, 1920.  Died in Newtown, Conn. on September 20, 1920 of Cholera.

William, Joseph, Michael, Stephen, John, and Anthony Melycher

Ronald Michael Melycher, Sr.

Date of birth – July 23, 1938, Sandy Hook, Conn.

Married Patricia Ann Trocolla – Date of birth – January 22, 1939.

Married in St. Joseph’s Church, Danbury, Conn. – December 21, 1957.

Ronald Melycher, Sr. married Irene Bonadio in Newtown, CT. 9-16-1989

Children born of this marriage:

1.  Coreen Ann Melycher – date of birth – July 3, 1958, born Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn.  Married Raymond DeBettencourt, Jr. April 23, 1982, Danbury, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Sean Patrick DeBettencourt, date of birth, October 25, 1982, Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Coreen and Raymond DeBettencourt divorced October 1995

2.  Ronald Michael Melycher, Jr. – date of birth – November 16, 1959, Danbury Hospital.  (DOB 12-22-52)

Married Debra Lynn Barry – June 20, 1981, St. Joseph’s Church, Brookfield, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Joshua Michael Melycher – date of birth – August 3, 1983, Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Conn.

Heather Lynn Melycher – date of birth – Nov. 11, 1987, Waterbury Hospital, Waterbury, Conn.

3.  Tracie Marie Melycher – date of birth – November 9, 1960, Danbury Hospital

Married Richard J. Coyle, October 22, 1983, St. Joseph’s Church, Brookfield, Conn.

Children born of this marriage:

Jennifer Marie Coyle – date of birth – March 18, 1984, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn.

Emily Ann Coyle – date of birth – March 20, 1987, Danbury Hospital

Caitlin Mary Coyle – date of birth – June 12, 1988, Danbury Hospital

4.  Stephen James Melycher – date of birth – September 2, 1964, Danbury Hospital, Danbury, Conn.

5.  William Joseph Melycher – date of birth – November 21, 1968. (adopted June 1970).

William Joseph Melycher and Terry Quilinin had a son born May 8, 1988, William Joseph at Danbury Hospital

William J. Melycher married Terry Quilinin Feb. 6, 1989 in Brookfield

Grandchildren Marriages

Jean Louise Weis to John A. Oman Oct. 23, 1986, King Street United Church Of Christ, King Street, Danbury, Conn.  Reception at Fireside Inn, Newtown, Conn.

Melissa Kim Melycher married Dean Edward Jordan, June 4, 1988, Trinity Lutheran Church, Rt. #7, New Milford, Conn.  Reception Fern’s Rt. #7 New Milford, Ct.  (thunderstorm in progress during ceremony)

Great Grand Children

Jennifer Lynn Oman Born in AirForce Hospital, New Hampshire, July 29, 1987.  7 lbs. 1 Oz. 20 inches long.

Michael David Melycher – date of birth – Nov. 23, 1987 to Tracey Melycher in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  Coral Springs.

Melycher Family HistoryDownload
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Open primaries bill introduced in Congress

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Michael & Suzanna Melycher Family

John & May, Mary, Michael, William, Stephen, Michael Jr, Suzanna, Anthony, Anna, Myrtle & Joseph Melycher

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.

William, Joseph, Michael, Stephen, John, and Anthony Melycher

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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.

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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

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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. 

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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.
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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.