• General Notes

  Lowell did most of the work on the part of this family tree from Thomas Fendel Webster on down. He wrote a great report called "Descendants of Thomas F. Webster" in which he tracked down over 300 descendants.
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  Lowell graduated Oklahoma A. M College, June 1941 with major in Accounting. Worked as Bookkeeper for 4 months at Bristow, Oklahoma before marriage. After marriage Dec. 28, 1941, Lowell and Evelyn moved to Los Angeles, California where he worked in Accounting for Haskins and Sells, Public Accounting Firm for some months then for Gladding McBean Clay Products Co. in Glendale, Calif. In September 1942, Lowell received his "Greetings" from Uncle Sam to report for Induction into the Army. He then served 40 months at Camp Beale, Marysville, California where he was assigned to the Military Police Section.
  
  At first he was assigned to Guard Duty at various stations on the Post. After two months he was assigned to the Post Provost Marshal Office as a Clerk-Typist. He spent the next 38 months in that Office and held the rank as Technical Sergeant when discharged in February 1946. While stationed at Camp Beale, Evelyn worked as a Civilian Employee at Post Headquarters. Much of the time I was authorized to live "Off Post" in Marysville in an apartment with Evelyn. We were able to save money during this time.
  
  After discharge, we moved to Fredonia, Kansas where we purchased a Farm Southwest of Fredonia where we have lived since that time. (53 years to March 1999). We maintained a Cattle herd until May 1998 when we sold our cattle to Leland. Leland had taken over our Crop Farming a few years earlier. Evelyn's Alzheimer's Disease and my general health made it necessary for us to discontinue all of our farming and ranching operations in 1998. We sold most of our land to Leland and Kendall in 1999 as it was apparent that this was the best thing to do. Evelyn and I had owned this farm for 54 years up to her passing. I have continued to reside at our Farm Home which I still own and have resided here over 55 years in April 2001.
  
  Back to February 1946, after we came to Fredonia (actually Benedict, Kansas where my parents were teaching at first), we discovered that Evelyn was pregnant. Leland was born October 13, 1946, our first year on the farm. In 1947 I got into the "GI On The Farm Training Program" and qualified for four years of that with a $97.50 subsistence monthly payment which helped us survive on the farm.
  
  In 1952, I started teaching, first at a one room school in the neighborhood, and then at larger schools. I started taking Education Courses to qualify for teaching certificates. Finally in 1958, I received my MS Degree in Educational Administration at Pittsburg State University. I became Elementary Principal at Elk City and then in 1958 I ran for County Superintendent of Wilson County and was elected and took office in June 1959.
  
  Kendall was born July 22, 1953. We continued our farming operations all during my career in education. Our sons helped on the farm during their growing up years. Both Leland and Kendall graduated from Fredonia High School, Independence Community Jr. College, and Pittsburg State University.
  
  Over the years we have participated in a number of Community and County organizations and activities. Helped organize a 4H Club and served as Club Leader; Grange - served as Master and other Offices; Farm Bureau - I served as President of Wilson County Farm Bureau and Board of Directors; Evelyn was a member of a Home Extension Unit for about 40 years; We have been members of Fredonia United Methodist Church since 1949 and I have served in various official capacities in years past. I have served on the Township Board and on the local rural school board back in the 1950s. We have seen our Community population decline to a great extent in the past 53 years. When we came here in 1946, we had numerous close neighbors. Now there are very few. Evelyn and I are among very very few residents of our age group still living in our extended community. Now in 2001 Evelyn is no longer a part of the community since her passing in January 2000. Others have continued to leave also by death or infirmities. It is an entirely different neighborhood than when we joined it in Spring of 1946.
  
  When we came to this community in 1946 to make this our home, at age 26, We had no idea that God would grant us as much as 53 years of a satisfying Life. In the early years there were problems to overcome and some primitive conditions but we survived. There has been much hard work, many disappointments, sometimes sadness, but the joys and accomplishments far exceed the negatives in our memories.
  
  My career in education changed in 1966 when I began employment with Fredonia Unified School District as an Administrator. I retired in 1982 as Assistant Principal of Fredonia High School and worked three more years on a part time basis taking full retirement in 1985.
  
  I began my Genealogy Research in 1985. 1 had not really thought about doing major Family History Research until after I was involved for awhile. One time when we were visiting an Uncle who was terminally ill with Cancer, I asked him where my Grandfather Webster came from originally. He told me "Ohio" and told me about a cousin of his who was working on Family History. I contacted him and he referred me to another cousin who had been working on Family History about 20 years. I contacted this lady cousin in Wichita and she gave me enough information to get me interested. I have since researched all branches of our familyâ€"both maternal and paternal family lines. It is a never-ending project. Family History has been an important outlet for me in the past 14 years. One of the rewards is sharing with other relatives who are interested. We have met many cousins in other states and areas that have become important to our lives. We are indeed grateful for the information they have provided and for the part they have played in our lives.
  
  I hesitate to name the many who have become a part of our lives through Family History because I know some would be overlooked. One that I do want to mention is Richard A. (Rick) Wilkin of Peoria, Illinois who despite serious health problems, has researched much of his Wilkin family and published a History of the Descendants of Samuel and Roseannah Webster Wilkin. He is also working on the Descendants of Thomas and Elizabeth Pulse Webster of which I have been working for 16 years. The Wilkin Family is an integral part of the Webster Family as Roseannah Webster Wilkin was a daughter of George Naylor Webster, a son of Thomas F. and Elizabeth Pulse Webster. Roseannah's descendants are many. The achievements of Roseannah Webster and Samuel Wilkin and their descendants are numerous. Many are highlighted in various parts of this Family Story where Wilkin families are discussed. LWS
  
  In October 2001, Lowell decided it was time to leave the farmhome where he and Evelyn had made their home for fifty plus years and had raised their sons and sometimes cared for grandchildren. Because of the changes that had occurred following the passing of Evelyn as a result of the Alzheimer's Disease, Lowell having reached the age of nearly 82 years and several other considerations, Lowell determined that it would be best for he and his second wife, Elizabeth to move to a Senior Citizen Apartment Facility in Fredonia, Kansas. The move was made on October 12, 2001 and plans were made for a Surplus Property Sale to dispose of much accumulation of over 50 years on the farm. The Place was also listed with a Realtor for Sale. Family members were given many items that they wanted and items considered essential for homemaking in the Apartment were moved to the Apartment. The Sale was held on Saturday, December 1 2001 and was considered for the most part to be a success. Family members were very helpful in preparing for the Sale and the Cleanup afterward. As of January 15, 2001, the Place has not been sold but has been shown to prospective buyers.
  
  In the meantime, Lowell and Elizabeth have adapted to Apartment Living and are well satisfied in their new living quarters. There are a lot of advantages, among them is no utilities expense or maintenance responsibilities. The change will be more complete when the rural home is sold and there are no further expenses or responsibilities for the Place. There will no doubt be further comments at a later date concerning this matter. LWS
  
  Sale of the Farmhome was completed on March 6, 2002 when the closing was consummated to Lee and Melissa Shoaf of rural Independence, KS. They have many relatives in the Fredonia area so have ties to Fredonia and area. Thus ends 56 years in the life of Lowell and Evelyn Shire, an era that began when they were 26 years of age. They began this period of their life in Wilson County in early 1946 after spending 40 months in the Army during WW II and eight months before working and living in Los Angeles, California.
  
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  OUR RELIGIOUS HERITAGE
  
  Our family has a variety of devout Christian leadership with a wealth of background and religious teachings. There are both old world and new world influences, denominations and traditions.
  
  Reverend Christian Crum -- a 4th great grandfather -- born about 1748 in Germany, probably in the lower Rhineland area. Christian had a twin brother - Henry. Both Henry and Christian became ministers in the very early years of our country. They were sons of Anthony Crum Sr. who came first to Pennsylvania in about 1753 and about 1774, to Frederick County Virginia where he purchased 600 acres for $1500. English Pounds. Both brothers came from the German Reformed Tradition but began to follow the trend among the colonists who were seeking a new direction. Christian became a circuit rider minister and one of the founders of the United Brethren in Christ Church which had its birth in the Maryland- Northern Virginia area. Henry preached in both the new Church and the Methodist denomination following the teachings of Francis Asbury who worked closely with the United Brethren. Henry is believed to have followed the Methodist line -- preaching to those known as German Methodists. Both had their own Churches or Meeting Houses.
  
  "Old Crum's Meeting House" dates back to the Revolutionary War. In 1804 to 1851, it belonged to the Winchester circuit of the Church. Land for the Church was given by the Crum family. Christian Cram, one of the oldest and best ministers of the conference, died July 30, 1820, at his home in Winchester, Va. Bishop Christian Newcomer was a dear friend and colleague for many years and was at his bedside when he died, preached his funeral on July 31, 1820. Christian Crum was believed to have been buried at Brucetown, about ten miles from Winchester. The venerable Otterbein, also a cofounder of the United Brethren Church preached in Crums Church. In fact in his advancing years, Bishop Philip William Otterbein presented his own Bible to Christian Crum as a token of his esteem.
  
  Christian Crum and Henry Crum were said to have been Chaplains in Washington's Army and to have been with Washington at Yorktown. They were also said to have sat in Masonic Lodge in Winchester with him. I have not seen confirmation of these statements. I have seen these statements in the writings of others.
  
  Christian married Christiana Schmidt. They were parents of thirteen children. One daughter, Susannah born 1781 married Reverend William Hanby Ambrose 1781. The Ambrose Family established an Ambrose Chapel near Sleepy Creek, Virginia (now West Virginia) in Morgan County. Land for this Chapel and Cemetery was given by Henry Ambrose, father of William H. The second building to serve as Ambrose Chapel in W. Va. is still standing and I have a photo of it sent me by a resident of the area. She said it is no longer used as a Church and is being converted to a residence. It was there that William H. Ambrose developed his devotion to the ministry.
  
  In 1815 Reverend Ambrose and his family loaded their belongings into a long, canvas covered wagon pulled by an oxen team set out on a 3 weeks journey from Virginia to Highland County Ohio. The journey was challenging -- through heavy forests, no roads or trails to follow, and continually facing challenges from Indians. After a long and difficult journey, they arrived in Highland County and camped on a hill with a Spring, southwest of Hillsboro, in New Market Township. The next day, William H. went into Hillsboro to the land office and purchased over 600 acres of government owned land in the area that he camped on.
  
  On this land he built a Log Cabin for the family home. He started holding worship services in the home under the umbrella of the United Brethren in Christ Church. In 1830s he built his Ambrose Chapel and set aside land next to the Chapel for a Cemetery. The Ambrose family established several brick kilns on their land. They built some of their homes with these bricks. Several buildings in Hillsboro including the first Methodist Church were built with Ambrose bricks. Last summer when we were in Hillsboro, the United Methodist Church was undergoing considerable remodeling. In the process, they found some Ambrose imprinted bricks on the interior. About 1861, a new brick Ambrose Chapel was built on Ambrose land across the road from the Cemetery and the first Chapel. The Ambroses and several of their family members are buried in Ambrose Cemetery.
  
  About 1900, the congregation decided to move into Hillsboro and close the Ambrose Chapel. The building was converted to a residence by the Hottle family. The Harold Hottle family resided there until about 1957. In 1965, the building was demolished to make way for highway re-routing. See the Ambrose Family story elsewhere.
  
  A daughter of William and Susannah Ambrose -- Catherine Ambrose, married Samuel Ridings in the Ambrose home in 1834. Samuel and Catherine established their home in Clay Township near the Hollowtown crossroads and raised their family. They were my great great grandparents. William and Susannah Ambrose were my 3rd great grandparents.
  
  My great great grand parents Webster - Thomas Webster and Elizabeth Pulse, came to Highland County in 1817 with the rest of the David and Sarah Fry Pulse family. David and Sarah Pulse had been Lutherans before coming to Ohio. They heard the teachings of Wesley and others expounding the Methodist doctrines and they became devout Methodists for the rest of their lives. They were faithful in their attendance as long as their health permitted. When David was no longer able to attend Church Services, he always wanted to read the pastors sermons. David and Sarah were my 3rd great grandparents. I'm sure their devout religious convictions were passed on to their children including my great great grandmother Elizabeth Pulse Webster and in turn to her children --including my great grandfather Elijah Webster. My great grandmother Mary Elizabeth Ridings Webster also had the religious background of her Crum and Ambrose heritage.
  
  We also have a religious heritage from our Ridings ancestry. Near Winchester Virginia is a Ridings Chapel that was established over 150 years ago by the Ridings Family of Virginia. It is a United Methodist Church and is still an active congregation. We visited this chapel in 1990 with Gary and Joanne Ridings who live in the area. The Church is well maintained and appeared to be in good condition. There is an adjoining Cemetery.
  
  Great grandma Webster - wife of Elijah F. Webster, was a devout Christian to her death, following in the John Wesley Methodist tradition. Elijah and Mary Elizabeth settled on a homestead near Deer Creek. Grant County, Oklahoma in 1893. As soon as they had constructed a house, they started holding worship services in their home. They always held family devotions daily in their home. About 1895 they were responsible for construction of a Sod Church called Webster Chapel. Here the Webster families and neighbors worshiped. About 1900 a new frame Church was constructed and dedicated about 1901 as Webster Chapel. The church was served by the Methodist Conference and Ministers assigned to Webster Chapel Circuit. Great Grandpa and Grandma Webster were strong leaders in the Chapel.
  
  From the Central Christian Advocate, February 26, 1902
  
  The history of Webster Chapel Church, four miles south of Deer Creek, is among the most interesting of that of any of our churches in this section of Oklahoma; the history of this church is the evidence of faithfulness and devotion of the members. The class was organized June 1894 one year after the opening of the strip for settlement. The organization was effected at Brother Webster's house with fourteen members. Rev. C. N. Bottorff was appointed pastor. The members and congregation continued to worship in Brother Webster's house until May 1896 when the Sod Church was completed at a cost of $100, not including the work which was donated. The first sod was laid by Rev. Bottorff, pastor, This was the first sod church building erected within the bounds of the North District of the Oklahoma Conference. The building was dedicated by Rev. E. C. Delaplain on Sunday, May 3, 1896. This building was used as a place of worship for four years. In that Sod Church, a number of glorious meetings were held and many souls were saved. The members love to tell of the experiences enjoyed while serving their Master in this humble place.
  
  In the Fall of 1900, the first subscriptions were taken for the new Church and on Christmas night 1900, the first service was held in the new building. On January 1902, the beautiful Church Building which cost $2,000. was dedicated to God, free of debt, by Rev. E. S. Stockwell, presiding Elder, assisted by the pastor. Rev. W. T. Cummins, Rev. C. N. Bottorff, former pastor, Dr. S. E. Betts, Superintendent of Bethany Hospital, Kansas City, Kansas. Rev. E. S. Stockwell delivered a strong and telling sermon Sunday morning. Rev. Robert L. Nuckolls, pastor at Kildare, was present and assisted at the evening service. Dr. S. E. Betts delivered a splendid address in the evening. His subject was "Bethany Hospital". The people made him a gift of $50 towards the support of that institution. The new building is a handsome structure and was paid for by money contributed by the people of this community with the exception of $200 donated by the Board of Church Extension.
  
  Much credit for the present successful condition of the church is due Brother E. F. Webster who opened his home every Sabbath morning for two years for church services there being no other place possible to be secured for church purposes. The beds and furniture were removed from the rooms each Sunday morning to permit audiences to all come inside the house for worship. Brother Webster and many others have stood in front in the battle from the beginning and they will receive a rich reward.
  
  Webster Chapel was important in the life of many Webster family members as well as a number of neighbors who worshipped with them. Mew years before her death, I asked my mother Marie Webster Shire, about her memories of Webster Chapel. Marie was converted at Webster Chapel and was baptized in the livestock water tank at their home. She did not remember the name of the minister. She believed she received a very good religious instruction and background. This was her first introduction into the church.
  
  She remembered her grandmother --Mary Elizabeth Webster, prepared communion. She made unleavened bread and prepared the grape juice. She did not remember how the communion was administered. Great Grandma Webster usually led testimonials and as any member would testify, she would lead the congregation in song--a song that was suggested by or appropriate to the testimonials.
  
  Songs that were often used --"I Love To Tell The Story", "Standing On The Promises", "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder", "Blessed Assurance".
  
  Marie played the Organ at Webster Chapel -- alternating with her cousin Ralph Webster, when their Aunt Janie didn't play. As she remembers, the Organ was low and situated so that she could see the congregation when she played. She remembers she was apprehensive when she played-- afraid she would make a mistake.
  
  The heating stove was located near the entrance. Sunday School classes were scattered in different parts of the Chapel. She beleieves they had printed leaflets each Sunday. The Children's day Day Program was a very special event. Marie remembered her mother always made her a new dress for Children's Day. My grandmother Estelle Webster taught the young people's class. My father, Paul Shire attended the church a few times before they were married. My mother said that my father said she was a good Sunday School teacher.
  
  The people were devout in worship--very sincere. Families attended together. They all wore their best clothes to church. The Leroy Webster family attended together, riding in their carriage. They went in all kinds of weather. She remembered going to church one night and it got stormy and very dark. Going home after church, Grandpa Webster had to lead the team and hold on to the fence to find their way home. This experience was very vivid in her memory.
  
  The Chapel was built on about 2 acres of land donated by George James on the NW corner of NW quarter, Section 5, Twp 21, Range 3W. The Chapel had an Altar Rail. People went to the Altar Rail and prayed. Marie tried to remember more details of Webster Chapel but 88-90 years of life had dimmed her memories.
  
  Mary Elizabeth Webster died May 21, 1921. Webster Chapel was closed. The building was moved in to Deer Creek and attached to the Deer Creek Methodist Church on the north side, The building is still standing and in fair condition. The building was purchased by the Ralph Webster family after the Oklahoma Conference of the Methodist Church closed the church because of very low membership and support. The Webster family is planning a 100th anniversary of Webster Chapel in 1994. Kenneth Webster of Garden City, Kansas is providing leadership in this project.
  
  From the early 1800s most Webster-Ridings families have been Methodist. Those that were United Brethren or Evangelicals were closely connected to Methodism as these denominations united with the Methodist Church in later years.
  
  On the Shire side the denominations were different. My great grandfather David B. Shire established United Brethren Church in Oblong, Illinois. David had wanted to be a minister but a bee sting on his ear caused permanent deafness and he had to give up this ambition.
  
  My grandfather, E. A. Shire was active in Church organization while in Illinois and later in Hoisington and Claflin, Kansas. After they moved to Grant County, Oklahoma, and settled near Nasville (later Nash), E. A. organized a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Nash and led a building committee in raising funds to build a fine brick church which served the community for many years. Both Grandpa and Grandma Shire were active in Christian Church work.
  
  My father was raised in the Christian (Disciples) Church and my mother in the Methodist Church. During my growing-up years, we attended Methodist Churches in each community in which we lived if Methodist Churches were available. My parents were nearly always involved as Sunday School teachers, song leader, pianist, and they often sang duets and my father was often Sunday School Superintendent. In communities where there was no Methodist Church, we attended the Christian Church. Some places, Church was held in the Schoolhouse.
  
  In 1935, we four older children were baptized and joined the Methodist Church at Hominy, Oklahoma -- Stuart, Zane, Lauvita, Lowell. We were all dressed in white -- boys in sailor suits. We were baptized by Rev. H. D. Tomlin, by immersion, in the baptistery at the Christian Church in Hominy. Our father believed in baptism immersion in line with his Christian Church upbringing. In later years he consented for Robert and rocky to be baptized by sprinkling in the Methodist Church in Fredonia.
  
  We have been members of the Methodist Church in Fredonia since 1949. The parents were members of the Methodist Church in Fredonia in their later years. Other family members have joined other denominations as years have passed.
  
  Lowell W. Shire, Fredonia, Kansas January 22, 1994.
  

Details of Lowell's family with Evelyn Grace Plunkett

Details of Lowell's family with Elizabeth Anne McPherson