Thank you Gary! Sorry has taken so long for me to post. I don't know how much, or how valuable anything I contribute would be, especially after reading some of the blogs posted from you and your fellow bloggers. You all are quite a distinguished and accomplished group of people and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your blogs and comments. They are informative, as well as entertaining.
I have deep roots in Cedar Vale going back to when it was first settled. My gg-uncles, Ozmer & Socrates Hills arrived in the area in 1872 and were the younger brothers my gg grandfather, Col. F.M Hills, and his wife Annie (Proper) Hills came to Cedar Vale in early 1874. He was the first mayor of Cedar Vale and also was mayor 2 more times. Their sister, Elizabeth Hills Albright and her 2 boys came to the area at a later date.
My g-grandfather Newton, "Newt" and his brother Harvey, "Harve" Barger/Berger) had a blacksmith shop in CV, part of which is still standing behind the bank. Newt's son Harold Barger was my paternal grandfather and his son Harold "Hal" Barger is my Dad. I have other ggg etc...that also came around same time or shortly thereafter ....and most are buried in cemetery in CV. Some of my family surnames many of may recognize(grandparents and great, gg and ggg- grandparents) include, Barger, Hills, Phelps, Foudray, Guthrie, Latham, and more. This is on my paternal side of family. My maternal side includes my grandparents Ralph(RD) and Omeda Snyder. They moved to CV in the 40's. RD Snyder along with OD Mills and Fred Archer started the CV Sale Barn.
The area and history of CV and Ks along with my own genealogy has always held fascination for me. Along, with fact having traveled to most of the states with the exception of a handful, I still think the area is one of the most beautiful and scenic.
Growing up, my parents loaded us up to head "up home" almost every weekend, every holiday and vacations, unless we had activities or tennis tournaments. Cedar Vale has always referred to as "up home" and Ponca "down home". My sister, Sandy, would always refer to CV as "up home" or 'down home", in reference to where we were at the time. So, it seemed the most natural thing to do in buying a few acres there a few years ago and we keep a fifth wheel in CV to stay in, although we still have relatives in CV. But, as much as we are there, do believe that would get quite old for them having us that much. CV has always felt more like home than Ponca. The last couple of years, have been quite hectic for us, but before that, we were staying in CV more than we were at our home in Ponca.
Growing up, my parents loaded us up to head "up home" almost every weekend, every holiday and vacations, unless we had activities or tennis tournaments. Cedar Vale has always referred to as "up home" and Ponca "down home". My sister, Sandy, would always refer to CV as "up home" or 'down home", in reference to where we were at the time. So, it seemed the most natural thing to do in buying a few acres there a few years ago and we keep a fifth wheel in CV to stay in, although we still have relatives in CV. But, as much as we are there, do believe that would get quite old for them having us that much. CV has always felt more like home than Ponca. The last couple of years, have been quite hectic for us, but before that, we were staying in CV more than we were at our home in Ponca.
I have a lot more pics to add to my website and this blog of CV, along with more history and memories, if I can ever find time. Many, are pics that were given to me by my great grandmother and great aunt, grandparents, Dad, etc. Many are very old pics of CV, back to the horse and buggy days. Many years ago, I corresponded with a cousin, who was in his 80's at the time, who was the grandson of my gg-grandfather, Col. F.M. Hills. I will, as soon as time permits, post some of the stories he wrote to me about things he remembered from his youth about Cedar Vale.
I do think CV still has a lot to offer, and if a person is very organized in their shopping forays ...lol...even without a grocery store at the moment, it is a great place to be and live. It has a lot to offer, in way of hunting, rural life and more. I feel that as a town it needs to be looked at in that aspect,(several places in the area cater to the hunters now) and it can be revitalized. Maybe not to the extent it was in it's heyday, but at least to the point that it is quite a viable asset to it's citizens and community. The school has been getting quite the kudos in recent years and been a model for other school systems.
Again,....thank you so much. And, thank you for putting up such a fun, informative blogsite about Cedar Vale.
15 comments:
It is great to hear from someone "new", in the sense of new contributors. Newt Barger must have been retired by the time I was big enough to go down to the blacksmith shop and watch Harve wielding his hammer. That was a memory I will always have.
And I have many positive memories of your grandfather Ralph Snyder. I worked for him many summers, and he was always good to me and my family. When my dad died suddenly, Mr. Snyder came to my mom and offered to take care of our little farm for just what it cost him to do it. He realized that we did not have much money and there was no way we would have made it without his help.
He was just one of many people of CV that came to our aid at a bad time.
Thank you.....Newt passed away in Jan of 1939. My grandpa,(RD Snyder)was a huge influence in my life. My sense of humor comes from two of most important men in my life. (Of course, then there is just some of me injected in there) One was my Dad, who had a wonderful dry humor, but he always, said that much of my humor came from my grandpa Snyder.If you looked closely you would see a twinkle in his eye and a hint of what I call "good ornery". His sense of playfulness and wit might not dawn on you until a few minutes had passed, if you weren't paying attention. Growing up, I always couldn't wait, until I had Grandpa all to myself for a little bit, as there were so many other grandkids around all the time. Up until he passed away in 1995,I always looked forward to just him and me hanging out as he did chores or just visiting and listening to his stories. Growing up knowing all your cousins the way we did was wonderful fun with everyone around.
He was one of a kind, that is for sure. I will post a story about him one of these days, that will always be a very special memory and treasure for my heart.
Thank you.....Newt passed away in Jan of 1939. My grandpa,(RD Snyder)was a huge influence in my life. My sense of humor comes from two of most important men in my life. (Of course, then there is just some of me injected in there) One was my Dad, who had a wonderful dry humor, but he always, said that much of my humor came from my grandpa Snyder.If you looked closely you would see a twinkle in his eye and a hint of what I call "good ornery". His sense of playfulness and wit might not dawn on you until a few minutes had passed, if you weren't paying attention. Growing up, I always couldn't wait, until I had Grandpa all to myself for a little bit, as there were so many other grandkids around all the time. Up until he passed away in 1995,I always looked forward to just him and me hanging out as he did chores or just visiting and listening to his stories. Growing up knowing all your cousins the way we did was wonderful fun with everyone around.
He was one of a kind, that is for sure. I will post a story about him one of these days, that will always be a very special memory and treasure for my heart.
So happy to have you aboard Shirley. I look forward to you postings. DFCox
Thank you Don, and thanks for getting me in touch with Gary.
"Sherry"
Sherry. certainly your family connections go to the very roots of Cedar Vale. Thank you for this interesting glimpse into what hopefully will be many more insights to the town.
I assume Pat Pate and Sherry Barger were friends, or at least classmates at CVHS??
I assume Pat Pate and Sherry Barger were friends, or at least classmates at CVHS??
Hi,
Phil Foust: Thank you. I will try do my best to add more information. As to insight,lol, guess that may be subjective. My family, on my dad's and mom's side, have always instilled in the next generation the value of family history. And, they have passed on lots of memorabilia, stories., etc. I also, love history anyway, so just kind of natural for me to want to know my heritage. I have always felt like Cedar Vale was home and the last few years, whenever found anything about Cedar Vale have saved articles etc. If I can remember where stored some old CV newspapers will pull them out one of these days and see what can glean from them that might be of interest. I will probably loan them either to the museum in CV or to genealogical society at some point.
Wayne Woodruff: I may know Pat Pate, but I'm not sure, although do know the name. I did not go to school in CV. But, we spent most weekends etc in CV as I was growing up. As an adult, I continued to spend as much time as possible there and we also bought an acreage just outside of town several years ago. We spend as much time as possible there. For several years until couple years ago, we were there all the time and coming back home to Ponca about ever 2 weeks for the weekend. We are hoping that this summer we will be spending more time there again.
Sherry
Sherry - Thanks so much for adding your thoughts to the blog. It's refreshing to hear from a new person.
My dad, Fred Archer, was a partner of your grandpa Ralph in the sales barn.
I would like to know your parent's names and your siblings as well.
If you are married with kids, etc.
Just would like to get acquainted with you! Could you fill me in?
I would also like to hear anything you want to post about your ancesters, and I was wondering about your uncle Butch. Where is he these days?
Again, thanks for coming forth with lots of good stuff.
Don - I was in school with Shirley Barger, the daughter of Bus Barger, a brother to Harold, I assume. I think Bus was a butcher and worked for Adams. Shirley graduated in 1948. We were cheerleaders together; but not the most talented, I'm afraid.
And, again I assume, that S.Barger Barnett is the daughter of Jean Snyder Barger. Jean and I worked in Hankins Drug Store at the same time, and double dated A LOT ! - I was with Don Call. Jean was with John (Junior) Bohannan. My sister, Billy Smith, sees Jean from time to time at the Post Office in Ponca City.....I posted some information about Bert and Alma Duensing Bartgiss; have not seen any replies. It wasn't a new post, but a follow up on one I was reading.
Pat I think you will find that Harold and Bus were brothers, therefore Sherry and Shirley are cousins. Yes, I believe you are right about Bus working in the Adams store--I just don't remember the details. Hope you are having a super cruise!
I saw Don and Charlette Call at the funeral of John Bohannon in Chautauqua a year ago. At the time John was "keeping company" with Sherry's aunt Irene, who is a classmate of Sherry's cousin Shirley. "What a tangled web we weave-------"
Pat, I was trying to find the information you added about Bert and Alma, but can not find it. Would you remember where it might be??
No, I don't remember so I'll repeat it. Alma worked as a housekeeper - for Hays Hospital, if I remember correctly, and she also cleaned for Georgia Chapman sometimes, but not regularly. We lived in an apartment in Georgia's house. Alma walked by the house to and from her work. If I was in the yard I knew she was coming because she was talking to herself, out loud, and she smelled so strong with clorox. I remember where she and Bert lived and when she hanged herself from a tree in their front yard. She was such a good and caring person and I never understood. Even yet, when we are in CV and drive by the house I think about that. Albert and Anna were called when she was found and were there when they took Alma down. Grandma would never talk about it.
About Melvin and Neva Shrader - they didn't buy a television set for a long time. They went to someone's house every evening to watch the shows. I think Grandpa and Grandma (Anna and Albert Pate) had them two nights a week. It was always a laugh among the people, but hey - I'm sure it was good fellowship. And, now I'm off to D/FW for the flight to Anchorage and the cruise beginning on Sunday.
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