Tag: John Newton Whitener

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All because two people fell in love…

This entry is part 1 of 2 in the series All because two people fell in love…
Gerard William "G.W." Helbling and Anna May Beerbower- tintype, c1904.
Gerard William “G.W.” Helbling and Anna May Beerbower- tintype, married 1904. Parents of Mary T. Helbling McMurray

➡ Beerbower Family, Helbling Family, Lee Family, Cooper Family, McMurray Family, Whitener Family

My mother always told me that I was here on earth because two people fell in love, but Brad Paisley’s hit song said it in a slightly more catchy way:

“There ain’t nothin’ not affected
When two hearts get connected…

Wedding Photo of Joseph and Helen Cooper
Wedding Photo of Joseph and Helen Cooper, married 1901. Parents of Irving I. Cooper.

Every one of us is here
All because two people fell in love.”

John Brandenberger and Christina Funke, married 1854. Great-great grandparents of Robert Eugene Lee.
John Brandenberger and Christina Funke, married 1854. Great-great grandparents of Robert “Bob” Eugene Lee.

The Brad Paisley song, “Two people fell in love” is delightfully sweet, whether one is a country fan or not.

William Elmer McMurray and Lynette Payne, married 1899. Grandparents of Edward A. McMurray, Jr. c1950s?
William Elmer McMurray and Lynette Payne, married 1899. Grandparents of Edward A. McMurray, Jr. c1950s?

Brad Paisley goes on to sing:

“I’m glad your dad could not resist
Your mama’s charms and you exist
All because two people fell in love.”

John Newton Whitener and Ethel Emily Adiline Underwood, married 1925.
John Newton Whitener and Ethel Emily Adiline Underwood, married 1925.

Take a look at the full lyrics here. They are very sweet- as are these pictures of ancestor couples.

Thank you, dear ancestors, for falling in love.

Have a love-ly Valentine’s Day!

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

1) “Two People fell in Love” by Tim Owens, John Lovelace, Copyright: Emi April Music Inc., Sea Gayle Music, Love Ranch Music- http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bradpaisley/twopeoplefellinlove.html

Portions of the lyrics posted for educational use only.

2) Photos from family treasure chests.

 

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Friday’s Faces from the Past: Big Four School in Marquand Missouri

Big Four School in Marquand, Missouri, c?
Big Four School in Marquand, Missouri, c?

➡ Whitener Family

 

Front row, sitting:

Second from left- John Newton Whitener

Third from right- Byrde Caroline Whitener

 

Standing:

Third from right- Hazel Marie Whitener Sigler

 

Notes, Sources, and References: 

1) Whitener Family photo collection.

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Copyright 2013-2015 by Heritage Ramblings Blog and pmm.

 
We would love to read your thoughts and comments about this post, and thank you for your time! All comments are moderated, however, due to the high intelligence and persistence of spammers/hackers who really should be putting their smarts to use for the public good instead of spamming our little blog.

Sibling Saturday: Sophie Whitener and Her Son John Newton Whitener

Children of Newton Whitener and Sophia (Whitener) Whitener - (from left) Hazel Whitener, John Whitener, Birdie Caroline Whitener, 1907
Children of Newton Whitener and Sophia (Whitener) Whitener – (from left) Hazel Whitener, John Whitener, Birdie Caroline Whitener, 1907

 

Siblings often depend on each other throughout their lifetime, especially in previous eras. They would migrate together, work together, pray together, play together, and even raise children together.

 

Fredericktown, Madison County, Missouri 1904

 

The story goes that Sophie nee/Whitener Whitener (Yes, her maiden name was Whitener and she was a cousin to her husband.) delivered her last baby in September of 1904.

The child John Newton Whitener was very tiny. There is no recorded birth weight but it is apparent that he was premature. It is said that a small teacup would easily fit over his head.

Sophie was ill and had the premonition that she would not survive. She had also lost three other children that had deceased early in their lives. (This was in addition to five other children that grew to adulthood. It was a total of nine recorded children after her marriage in September 11, 1881.)

It is said that she called for her sister in law, Mary Whitener Sitzes, and gave the baby to her. “Mary, I want you to raise Johnnie. I don’t think you will.” (This was because of the baby’s tiny size- his survival was unlikely.)

John and Mary Whitener Sitzes accepted that challenge. They lived about three miles outside of Marquand, Madison County, Missouri.

On a cold November day in 1904 with heated stones to provide warmth for the child in an open buggie/wagon, John and Mary carried John Whitener from Fredricktown, Missouri, to Marquand, Missouri (15 miles) and then to their home (3 miles further). There they raised John.

Sophia Elizabeth (Whitener) Whitener, 1904
Sophia Elizabeth (Whitener) Whitener, 1904

Sophie Whitener died 14 Nov 1904, two months after John’s birth.

John called Mary and John Sitzes “Mom” and “Dad,” but he knew that Newton Whitener was his biological father.

Newton Frederick Whitener (widower of Sophie) raised his other children but never questioned Sophie’s wish.

John Whitener, 1906
John Whitener, 1906

I believe that my brothers and I owe our very existence to the love the Aunt Mary Sitzes poured out on my dad, John Whitener.

By James Richard Whitener

 

Notes, Sources, and References:

 

1) John Newton Whitener was born on 15 Sep 1904, and lived to be 67 years old.

2) Family oral tradition per Ethel Underwood Whitener.

3) Sophie Whitener Find A Grave Memorial : http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=54409843

4) Newton Frederick Whitener Find A Grave Memorial : http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=42454370&

5) Mary Whitener Sitzes Find A Grave Memorial : http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=57705485

6) John Sitzes Find A Grave Memorial : http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=57705994

7) 1900 US Federal Census – Madison County, Missouri, for Newton Whitener as head of household.

8) 1910 US Federal Census- Madison County, Missouri, for John Sitzes, head of household, showing John Newton Whitener in the family.

9) Newton Frederick Whitener and Sophie Whitener are both descendants of Henry Whitener Find A grave Memorial: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=26477693

10) The Whitener Family from 1717 to 1965 – Vol. II – by Virginia Whitener Crowe and Fletcher Standefer Crowe (p. 42).

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Copyright 2013-2014 by Heritage Ramblings Blog, pmm, and James R. Whitener.

 
We would love to read your thoughts and comments about this post, and thank you for your time! All comments are moderated, however, due to the high intelligence and persistence of spammers/hackers who really should be putting their smarts to use for the public good instead of spamming our little blog.