2022 Week 39 Road Trip Westward Ho! in an Old Plymouth

Sometimes it is nice to let other people tell the story.  And this is one of them.  (Sometime, I will tell the story of my road trip with my aunt Ladeen.  But this time, I'll let her tell about a trip with her  Grandmother Martha Alice Benton Godley and her Aunt Velma Leavelle Wallace!

Westward Ho!   (1950)

Ladeen, Nettie Ida, and Lavonne

Evelyn and Velma, Buddy, Aubrey, Alton and Travis

Grandmother Leavelle, Lavonne, and I were going back to California by bus, after spending the summer in Pennsylvania.  Aunt Velma got to calculation what three bus tickets would cost. With our bus money and some of hers, she bought a '38 Pontiac in 1950. (Ladeen's note: Wasn't she spunky?!)  

1939 Plymouth 2 Door

I was 15 and Lavonne 13. I grew up on a tractor and knew how to shift and drive. Daddy would let me take the tractor to the store when I was so small, I'd have to jump off the seat to engage the clutch and the brakes. I had also driven my boyfriend's hot rod quite a bit, but I had no license. Aunt Velma was the only legal driver, but off we went across the country. We kept going until we got to relative's homes. (No motels)

We ate out of a picnic basket except at relative's houses. I have a tendency to go to sleep every time I'm in a moving vehicle. I guess I come by it rightly. Aunt Velma fought sleepiness a lot. I talked her into letting me drive. As soon as I got behind the wheel, she'd wake up. Sometimes she spread a quilt on the grass on the side of the road to take a nap and that was very boring to us. Perhaps that's when I nagged her into letting me drive. Lavonne and I wrote down every "Burma Shave" advertisement and collected a leaf from every state. I wish I'd kept them!

When we got to relatives' homes, they gave their spare beds to the adults, and we kids slept on the floor. We made pallets with quilts-no egg crate foam or air mattresses. I woke up sore and stiff one morning-at least I must have complained that I was, and someone said, "Ladeen's a woman now if it bothers her to sleep on the floor." That made it almost worth the pain.

Aunt Velma insisted I not go over 50 MPH and I didn't. She insisted we stop for gasoline every hundred miles. I'm sure by then someone had to go to the bathroom anyway. She even let me drive at night, she told me to wake her up and let her drive through the towns. She'd be sleeping so good, I'd sneak right on through the towns. It seemed a shame to wake her up.

We visited Alabama kin folks, East Texas kin folks, and I think Uncle Aubrey and Aunt Grace lived in Oklahoma then and we may have visited them too. I wish I had kept a diary. The main thing I remember about visiting in Mt. Aire, N.M. at Uncle Alton and Aunt Francis' home, is she made enchiladas, with a fried egg right on top, I loved them.

Aubrey

Aubrey

Aubrey and Grace

Alton

Francis

The only trouble we had with the old car is, we had to get the radiator flushed out once out in the desert. And another day we had a flat. First you hope someone will stop, then you're afraid they might. Sure enough, two drunk sailors came by. Thank the Lord Aunt Velma already had the tire nearly fixed. We got in and took off. (My, wasn't she self-sufficient.) She kept the tire iron out and put it beside her between the driver's seat and the door. After some slick maneuvering on her part, we finally lost the sailors who had followed us!  I'm not sure how long the trip took, but we all enjoyed it.

After a nice visit in California, Aunt Velma sold the car to Uncle Buddy to pay her way back to Pennsylvania. Maurice hot-rodded the car and blew the engine out a short time later.

If any of you remember any details, I don't remember, if there are things that I've forgotten or aren't accurate, please write or email me. 

Mainly I want to keep the memory of my auntie and Grandmother alive. 

(Written by Maryon Ladeen Lindbeck Ring)

So who are these people?  

Grandmother Leavelle is Nettie Ida Godley Leavelle.  Lavonne is Marlita Lavonne Lindbeck Taylor, Ladeen's sister.  Aunt Velma is Mary Velma Leavelle Wallace.   Uncle Aubrey is John Aubrey Leavelle, son of Nettie Ida and Grace is his wife, Grace Beavers Leavelle. Uncle Alton is Wilbur Alton Leavelle, another of Nettie Ida's sons, and Francis Martin is his wife. Uncle Buddy is another son, Elvin  Rufus Leavelle and. Maurice is Travis' son. (Uncle Buddy was my grandmother, Evalyn's twin.)

Evalyn and Elvin (Buddy)

And what is the world were Burma Shave Signs?  Burma-Shave was an American brand of brushless shaving cream, famous for its advertising gimmick of posting humorous rhyming poems on small sequential highway roadside signs. One of them was: Cheer up, face – the war is over! Burma-Shave. Small signs would be posted along the edge of highways, spaced for sequential reading by passing motorists. 

Other examples were: 

Every shaver / Now can snore / Six more minutes / Than before / By using / Burma-Shave; 

Does your husband / Misbehave / Grunt and grumble / Rant and rave / Shoot the brute some / Burma-Shave; 

Past / Schoolhouses / Take it slow / Let the little / Shavers grow / Burma-Shave; 

Slap /The Jay/ With /Iron / Scrap/ Burma-Shave; 

The last signs were in 1963 but the method of using consecutive signs to entice people continues. 

The road trip sounds like fun but a little scary.  We sure couldn't get away with that type of trip now!

Donna Evalyn Mohney

December 8, 2022

2020 Week 27: Solo: How about a "solo" name? Singleton

 Solo:

Let's see- I don't have a Singletary but I do have a Singleton.  My aunt Margaret Ethel Mohney (1/21/1933-9/6/1967) was the youngest daughter of my paternal grandparents, Valentine Edward and Margaret Annetta Book Mohney.  I have no memories of her as she died when I was only 8, but her family has been very important in my life and that of my family.  Aunt Margaret was, like my dad, born in Lowellville, Mahoning County, Ohio.  She grew up, attended school, appears to have loved animals, and I'm sure, helped care for the house and yard. 

Donald, Dorothy, Margaret

Rusty, Maggie

Willis, Margaret, Dorothy

Gladys, Margaret and Donald

Gladys, Grace, Dorothy, and
Margaret

Rusty, Willis and Margaret

The 1940 Census enumerates her family as living on Struthers-Lowellville Road in Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio: (Her brother, James is already married but living with the family at the time.

1940 United States Federal Census

Name: Margaret Mohney    Age: 7   Estimated birth year: abt 1933

Gender: Female    Race: White        Birthplace: Ohio

Marital Status: Single                    Relation to Head of House: Daughter

Home in 1940: Poland, Mahoning, Ohio

Street: Struthers Lowellville Road   Sheet Number: 14B

Attended School or College: Yes

Highest Grade Completed: Elementary school, 1st grade

Household Members: Name Age

Valentine E Mohney 49

Margaret A Mohney 44

Warren S Mohney 22

Gladys M Mohney 29

Wayne V Mohney 18

Eugene M Mohney 16

Grace M Mohney 15

Dorothy A Mohney 12

Willis R Mohney 10

Margaret Mohney 7

Donald Mohney 2

James B Mohney 21

Anna V Mohney 25

The 1950 Census enumeration shows the family has become much smaller with most of the children married or moved from home.  They are back in Pennsylvania living at RD #1, Enon Valley. 

1950 United States Federal Census

Enon Valley  RD1

Residence Date: 1950

Home in 1950: Little Beaver, Lawrence, Pennsylvania, USA

Household Members Age Relationship

Valentine Mohney   59 Head   Worked 48 hours as a Conductor on the Railroad

Margaret Mohney 54 Wife

Margaret E Mohney   17 Daughter   born PA

Donald Mohney   12 Son born Ohio

She graduated from Wampum High School, Wampum, Pennsylvania.   

Graduation Photo

She lived for three years in Youngstown, working at the Stambaugh Thompson Co.'s North Side store and living with a sister, probably Grace.  (She was working there when her father died as Stambaugh's sent flowers to his funeral.

Van and Margaret, with her nephews, Butch and Denny

She met and married Van Buren Singleton on 24 March 1956.  He was born 4 Mar 1930 in Gem, Braxton, West Virginia, son of Raymond and Edith (Wine) Singleton. 

Miss Mohney Plans May Rite

Engagement

Engagement Photo

   Miss Margaret E. Mohney, daughter of Mrs. Margaret A.   Mohney 119 1/2 Madison Avenue and the late V. E. Mohney   will be married to Van Buren Singleton, son of Mrs. Edith   Singleton, Gem, W. Va. and the late Raymond Singleton, at   a  family wedding at Evergreen Presbyterian Church on   May   27 a t 2:30 pm. An open reception will follow in the   church parlor.  Miss Mohney is with Stambaugh-Thompson Co. Her fiance is with General Motors, Inc. Fisher Body     Division in   Lansing, Michigan.

Van and Margaret Wedding

In 1959, they were living at 317 North Fairview Avenue Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.  They moved to Michigan as Uncle Van was working in the Fisher Body Division of General Motors, Inc. 

They had 3 children, Diana Lynne, Mary Ellen and Darryl Rae.  

Diana, Van, Margaret, Mary Ellen and Daryl

They moved to 936 Reo Road, Lansing.    Aunt Margaret was a member of the Emanual Baptist Church. She became pregnant again in 1967 but it resulted in a tubal pregnancy.  She died on 6 September 1967 from complications of the tubal pregnancy and surgery.  

Lansing State Journal   Thursday Sept. 7, 1967    Margaret Singleton

Mrs. Margaret E. Singleton, 34, of 936 Reo Road, died in a local hospital Wednesday. 

A resident of Lansing for 11 years, she was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church. Surviving are her husband, Van B; a son, Daryl R, two daughters, Mary Ellen and Diana L. all at home; her mother, Margaret Mohney of New Galilee, PA.; six brothers, Warren S. Mohney, Youngstown, Ohio; James B. Mohney of Battle Creek, Wayne V. Mohney of Canfield, Ohio; Eugene M. Mohney of Waitsburg, Washington; Willis R. Mohney of Spokane, Washington, Donald E. Mohney of North Lima, Ohio; three sisters, Mrs. Gladys M. Sutherland and Mrs. Grace M Chaberd, both of Youngstown, Ohio; and Mrs. Dorothy A Cook, of New Galilee, PA. 

Services will be held in the Estes-Leadley Colonial Chapel at 8 p.m. Thursday with further services in the King Funeral Home, Youngstown.

Newspaper Unknown:   Singleton, Mrs. Margaret E.   938 Reo Road, age 34, died at a local hospital, Sept. 6, 1967. She had been a resident of Lansing for 11 years, coming here from Youngstown, Ohio, a member of Immanuel Baptist Church and graduated from Wampum High School, Wampum, Ohio. Surviving are her husband Van B., one son Daryl R., 2 daughters, Mary Ellen and Diana L., all at home; mother, Mrs. Margaret A. Mohney of New Galilee, PA 6 brothers, Warren S. Mohney, Youngstown, Ohio; James B. Mohney, Battle Creek; Wayne V. Mohney, Canfield, Ohio; Eugene M. Mohney of Waitsburg, Wash.; Willis R. Mohney, Spokane, Wash.; Donald E. Mohney, North Lima, Ohio; 3 sisters, Mrs. Gladys M. Sutherland and Mrs. Grace M. Chaberd both of Youngstown, Ohio, and Mrs. Dorothy A. Cook of New Galilee, PA.  Religious services will be conducted by Rev. Harry L. Wainscott of Immanuel Baptist Church at the Estes Leadley Colonial Church at 8 p. m. Thursday evening, further funeral services will be at the Kings Funeral Home, Youngstown, Ohio.

Youngstown Vindicator, Youngstown, Mahoning County, Ohio     Thursday, September 7, 1967

Mrs. Van Singleton

Mrs. Margaret Singleton, 34, of 936 Reo Road, Lansing, Mich., a former Youngstown resident, died at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Lansing Hospital of complications following surgery.

Mrs. Singleton was born Jan. 21, 1933, in Lowellville, a daughter of V.E. and Margaret A. Book Mohney.  She graduated from high school in Wampum, Pa., and lived for three years in Youngstown, working at the Stambaugh Thompson Co.'s North Side store and living with a sister. She moved to Lansing, Pa. in 1956 following her marriage to Van Singleton.

Besides her husband, she leaves three children, Diana, Mary Ellen, and Daryl, all at home; her mother, of New Galilee, Pa; three sisters, Mrs. Gladys Southerland and Mrs. Grace Chaberd, both of Youngstown, and Dorothy Cook of New Galilee; and six brothers, Warren and Wayne Mohney both of Youngstown, Donald of North Lima, James of Battle Creek, Mich., Willis of Spokane, Wash., and Eugene of Waitsburg, Wash.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the King Funeral Home, where friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Burial will be in New Wilmington, Pa

Funeral Booklet

Aunt Margaret was buried next to her parents in Fair Oaks Cemetery, New Wilmington, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. 

Many times when a family member dies, the rest of the family loses track of the "in-law."  We were so very lucky that Uncle Van made sure his kids stayed involved with their mom's side of the family.  He moved back to Ohio, transferring to the General Motors' Lordstown plant, where he worked until it closed and he retired. 

From 1987, Uncle Van and his children have lived in Diamond, Milton Township, Mahoning County, Ohio.

On 30 Oct 1970 Uncle Van married Sandra Rummel in Mahoning County, Ohio. They divorced 23 July 1975. 

On 16 Jul 1977, Uncle Van and Frances E Snyder are married in Portage County, Ohio.   This marriage added two more kids- Frances' daughters, Rose and Jackie, from a first marriage.  Uncle Van and Aunt Francis have been more a part of the Mohney family's lives than some of our "blood" relatives.  I have memories of them at nearly every important event in our lives:  Graduations, birthdays, cookouts, weddings, baby showers, and many more.  I still have the baby outfit that Frances crochet for my son, Shaun. And every year, the Christmas card from them is the first to arrive.  

Van and Francis Singleton with Lynda Mohney

I don't remember when but Uncle Van and Aunt Frances bought a cabin across from my dad's hunting cabin.  He had gone hunting with dad, and we had all gone up to camp together.  It was nice having them just across the driveway when we went up.  (Last year, at 90 years of age, he was crawling under that cabin as he and my dad (age 84) were replacing or repairing something- furnace?)  

Donna Evalyn Mohney

December 7, 2022

2022 Week 18 (May 3-9): Social: Ladeen Goes to Camp Meeting

 This story was sent to me by my Aunt Ladeen several years ago.

Grandmother Leavelle is Nettie Ida Godley Leavelle, my greatgrandmother. Ladeen is my mother's sister, Maryon Ladeen Lindbeck Maxwell Ezell Ring Ring. They (and many of that side of the family) were Seventh Day Adventists. Part of the social and religious facets of the SDA religion was “Camp Meeting.”

Maryon Ladeen Lindbeck

The camp meeting is a form of Protestant Christian religious service that originated in England and Scotland as an evangelical event in association with the communion season. Camp meetings offered community, often singing and other music, sometimes dancing, and diversion from work.  The Soquel SDA Campground was founded in 1879. It is now part of Yosemite National Park

Well-shaded by pine and fir trees, Soquel Campground provides primitive campsites that can accommodate small trailers and tents. The campground consists of two loops on the banks of Willow Creek with sites located along Willow Creek. Soquel Campground is located in the Highway 41 Corridor of the Bass Lake Ranger District. This area is known for the Nelder Grove of giant sequoias. And is in Madera County, California, within the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Giant Sequoia at Nelder Grove

Aunt Ladeen mentions being a “child bride.” She was married to Eugene Maxwell

Eugene Maxwell, Donald and Lynda (Lindbeck) Mohney,Ladeen (Lindbeck) Maxwell
At Don and Lynda's Wedding on June 19, 1958

"Camping Out With Grandmother"

Grandmother Leavelle announced she wanted me to take her to Camp Meeting. I had only been camping once before in my whole 17 years of life! It sounded like an adventure. I picked her up in a souped up hot rod. (I was a child bride. My husband of 8 months got drafted and was stationed in Germany.) We wrangled Grandmother's foot locker into the car. Somewhere between Fresno, CA, and the Soquel SDA Campground, we bought the groceries we would need for the week. (It actually included 2 weekends - 9 days.)

Grandmother must have been at least 67 or 68. How she slept in a tent on an army surplus folding cot, I can't imagine! My back didn't like it and I was only 17!

She was like an Army Sargent! We were up, had breakfast and off to the 1st preaching service by 6:30 AM. I soon learned the early speakers were the "cream of the crop"

Nettie Ida Godley 

Photos of Nettie Ida Godley Leavelle

GM urged me to join the mass choir. That was truly a thrilling experience. I could imagine it was almost like being in heaven and singing with the angels! It really impressed me to look out over the vast sea of faces and see how many people there were, just in that area, of like faith. (Plus, there were kids and young people meeting in other big tents. The adults were in a huge auditorium.

Grandmother bought me a book at the book sale. The title is "Lift Him Up." I still have it. I've never forgotten that Camp Meeting and the theme of the book. While by my mistakes in life, I haven't always "lifted him up," I know he forgives. He has kept calling me back to him. I am so thankful for that! I learned to love Camp Meeting. They always have classes on health, money management, marriage counseling and parenting, etc . I never miss a chance to attend Camp Meeting - if at all possible. And I am my own army Sarjent. Yes~I set my alarm and go to the early service.

Written by Ladeen Lindbeck Ring

Aunt Ladeen passed away in June of  2022, and is dearly missed. Born on 27 March 1935 in Arlington, Riverside County, California.

Donna Evalyn Mohney  

December 8, 2022

2020 Week 13 (Mar. 25-31): Nearly Forgotten

Nearly Forgotten:  Grandpa's First Wife and Son  

My grandfather, Valentine Edward Mohney, died in 1954, several years before I was born.  He and my grandmother, Margaret Annetta Book Mohney, had 10 children and my dad was the baby of the family.  I knew all of my uncles and aunts, some better than others.  Or so I thought.  

My mother and I began doing some genealogical research.  We were in Ridgeway, Elk County, PA and decided to stop at the courthouse and look for information on the Mohneys.  We were looking through marriage records and found one for Grandfather Valentine Mohney.  However, surprise, it was not the record of marriage to Grandma.  It was an earlier marriage to Clara C. Mercer.  Her brother, Banfield B, (Ben) Mercer, was married to Valentine's sister, Mary Elizabeth (Mayme) Mohney. 

Valentine Edward Mohney

Marriage License of Valentine Edward Mohney and Clara C Mercer

Valentine and Clara were married, in St. Mary's, Elk County, PA, on April 1, 1912 by E,E. McKelvey.  Clara was living with her parents in Cheerful, PA when she delivered their son, Elmer Edward Mohney on 21 September 1912.  Elmer was stillborn.  He was buried the next day at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Shippenville, PA.  

Death Certificate of Elmer Edward Mohney

Clara had uremic poisoning following the childbirth and died 23 September 1912.  She was buried on 26 September 1912, also at Pleasant Hill Cemetery

Death Certificate of Clara C. Mercer Mohney

I am assuming that she was living with her parents due to the fact that Valentine was working in the logging camps or on the railroad.  Was he able to be there for the childbirth?  Did he get to see his son? Or provide support to Clara through her short illness?  So many questions.  

The biggest question though is why didn't he tell his family about Clara and Elmer?  His children were surprised to learn that Valentine had been married to Clara, and one aunt, in particular, refused to believe it.