Welcome to the Rawles Family Blog! This is our first-ever blog post devoted to the family and descendants of Eugene Carlton "Bob" Rawles and Kate Lee Orr. We hope you find something to spark an interest in your roots, perhaps even motivating you to reach out and get in contact with someone you haven't spoken to in a while. 💗
The goal in mind as we create a Rawles Roots Blog is to gather our family and help us feel more connected to each other. We are descendants of (or extended family that are related to) Bob & Kate Rawles, who loved rounding up the family and promoting strong family relationships. Several of our more "seasoned" cousins have recently felt an increased urging to find a way to bring us all together again, whether we have regular Rawles Reunions or not. Whether it's Covid-19 that prevents us from gathering, or too many miles to travel, or financial burdens, health concerns, or otherwise, THIS is a way for us to circle the wagons of the Rawles family descendants. We can feel connected to each other through stories, photos, and fun facts about our heritage.
You might even feel inspired to retrieve an old dusty box from the attic, find a cozy place to sit down and lovingly peruse its tender contents, and joyfully, perhaps even tearfully, take a walk down Memory Lane. As you come across an old family photo, or a timeworn and fragile letter, you will likely feel a prompting to share it with someone else in the Rawles Family. We encourage you to do so! You may be the sole owner of that photo or letter, or other piece of memorabilia. Think of how you can share that precious memory with the next generation and the wonderful feelings that it can generate. (Details below on how you can share something in our Blog)
Too many times we find ourselves stuck in the "trenches" of today and all the stuff that is going on right now in this moment. We might even be discouraged and exhausted because of it all. It is increasingly more difficult to be able to take a step back and see the forest AND all of its majestic trees when we feel stuck in the rut of doing-doing-doing and going-going-going all the time. But by taking a step back from the "grind", we can appreciate where we come from, WHO we come from, and find a greater appreciation for where we are today. We gain perspective and immeasurable value from connecting to our ancestors. We would not be who we are today, or even where we are today, if it weren't for them. Whether we like it or not, or realize it or not, they are a part of us and we should never forget them. We should honor them, think of them, share stories about them, and be grateful for all the things they went through in life that got US to where we are now. They learned some really hard life lessons in their day, just as we are learning our own difficult life lessons right now. By connecting to them and realizing what they went through, it can give us the courage and the strength to dust ourselves off, stand up tall and take a purposeful step forward. They will be cheering you on from not too far away, I promise!!
Spotlight: 
The Gene Rawles Branch
Born: Eugene Carlton Rawles, Jr. on 25 August 1920 in Ukiah, California
Died: 8 February 2005 in Santa Rosa, California
Known as: "Gene"
Contributed by Barbara McCulloch, Daughter of Darrel Rawles, and Niece of Gene Rawles
Additional details and photos provided by Loreena Hester, Daughter of Gene Rawles
(Photos above - Top: Gene Rawles' graduation photo; Bottom: Gene Rawles' in the US Army)
(Photo below: Gene Rawles in 1944 just prior to his service during WWII)
Gene Rawles served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a participant in the treacherous yet all-important Battle of the Bulge. He was a Private in General Patton's 4th Division, 22nd Infantry and pushed inland with the Allied Forces all the way to Germany. At some point along the way, he and his comrades entered a village. They were extremely tired and counted themselves lucky when they found a vacant house to take shelter in. They all filed downstairs to the basement to take a much needed break. At some point, Gene had the urge to smoke, which was somewhat unusual, since he didn't smoke prior to his military service. He went up the stairs and out to the back of the abandoned house and began to smoke. While he was quietly occupied in solitude, enemy soldiers came in the front of the house, went down to the basement and shot every serviceman that was downstairs. If he hadn't had that urge to smoke a cigarette, he would have died that day as well. Painful as it was, he was a very lucky man.
Eventually it was time for him to come home. He made his way across the world to small-town Ukiah, California. After disembarking from the Greyhound bus in the center of town, he made his way to his brother's house, probably on foot. It wasn't too far away, thankfully, since Jess and Barbara Rawles lived on Maple Avenue at that time. Everyone had gathered there in anticipation of his return, having been notified ahead of time what day he expected to arrive. When Gene walked in, everyone gathered joyfully around him and gave hugs and pats on the back. Soon, everyone pulled up a chair in a semi-circle around him, eager to hear more stories and details from the War.
Barbara added that her Uncle Gene had a special love for everyone in the family, and she always appreciated that about him.
Loreena Hester, Gene's daughter, shared some additional - and tender - details. She said that after Gene had a wonderful reunion and visit with family in Ukiah, he took the Greyhound bus up to Piercy, about 78 miles north of Ukiah. Gene's wife, Dora Eichin Rawles, was staying with her family in Piercy while her husband served overseas. Dora was in her bedroom, quietly resting, when someone appeared in the doorway. "Hello Dora," came the quiet words from a very handsome soldier in uniform standing there. His gentle smile for her spoke volumes. What a joyous and grateful reunion that must have been!
(Photo above was taken before he left to go overseas - Dora and Gene Rawles)
There is a beautiful and moving song called, "The Locket" by Lauren Alaina. It perfectly illustrates the loving relationship that Gene and Dora had for many years. He actually gave her a locket with his photo in it before he left for the War. You can find the song on YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, and most music apps. Be prepared to feel a tug on your heartstrings . . . and you might want to keep a tissue handy. :)
Our Fruitful Family
As shown on the illustrated tree at the top of this post, the Patriarch and Matriarch of our focused Rawles Family Tree efforts are: Eugene Carlton Rawles, known as "Bob" (for reasons unknown, ha ha), and his wife Kate Lee Orr. Together they had 7 children, all of whom lived to a ripe old age.
In the future, there will be more information about each nook and cranny of our Rawles Ancestry, including photos, stories, and interesting facts. For this issue, there will be a focus on "Bob" Rawles.
What do we know about "Bob"?
He was born 2 August 1872 in Boonville, California to Thomas Edward Rawles (age 23) and Louisa Jane Tarwater (age 22). His father's family had arrived in Anderson Valley in 1858, eventually owning 1600 acres of farm and grazing land, stocked in 1880 with 3,160 head of sheep. (Mendocino County, California Biographies 1880, reference to Joseph W. Rawles - Bob's grandfather)
In 1896 Bob Rawles registered to vote in the Great Register of Mendocino County, CA. The detailed record provides some fascinating information about his physique and characteristics.
- He was 21 years old (*He was actually 24 years old so this was a clerical error in the Register)
- He was 5 feet 9 inches
- He had a light complexion
- He had blue eyes and light hair
- He had a scar on his left cheek
- His occupation was Farmer
- Place of residence: Boonville
- Precinct: Anderson
In 1897, Bob married Miss Mitto Blevins, also of Boonville. Bob was 25 years old and Mitto was 23 years old. The witnesses to the marriage were: Joseph L. McGimsey and Meda Blevins, both of Boonville. The date was 6 February 1897.
In 1899, Bob Rawles and his brother Alex Rawles, along with several others, joined a committee of "capitalists" in the Boonville area to support a newly discovered copper mine. Port McGimpsey discovered the mine near Hopland, according to this article. Alex Rawles was elected President of the newly formed company and they looked forward to "handsome returns".
In late May of 1900, E.C. Rawles ("Bob") was granted a divorce from M.T. Rawles (Mitto) on the grounds of desertion.
Interestingly, they both claimed to be widowed in the 1900 US Census (in separate records). And by 1903, Mitto was mentioned in a wedding announcement for her sister and was said to be "a popular teacher", now living in Willits, CA.
Mitto later died at 96 years old. She moved back to her native state of Virginia, and was married to Walter Blodgett. They never had any children.
In 1902, Bob married the TRUE love of his life, Miss Kate Lee Orr. They were married on 20 July 1902 at the home of Kate's parents, Thomas D. Orr and Mary Ellen Butts Orr. (You can click on the photo to enlarge the newspaper article and read it more easily.)
(Photo above is Kate Lee Orr)
Here is the transcription of the article as well:
Rawles - - Orr
A very pretty mid-summer wedding took place at the residence of Mr. T.D. Orr, Sunday, July 20, when his oldest daughter, Miss Kate, became the bride of Robert E. Rawles. (Ha ha, he was never a Robert - officially)
The home, which is situated at the foot of Sanhedrin was beautifully decorated with forest boughs, tall graceful ferns and long streamers of white ribbon which converged to a large cluster of mistletoe under which the ceremony was performed.
The nuptial knot was tied at high noon by the Rev. K.M. Sawyers of Willits.
The bride who is a brunette, was beautiful in a gown of white organdie trimmed in lace and liberty silk. Her maid Miss Fannie Sawyers wore a dainty pale blue organdie. Frances T. Orr acted as best man to the groom.
A very elaborate dinner was tendered the guests at 2 o'clock. The presents were many and beautiful, not least among them being a set of hand decorated china from the brother of the bride and a $100 check, gift of Mr. and Mrs. T.D. Orr. The guests numbered about thirty and their merriment told more than anything else the pleasure and happiness to be found in that home at all times.
The bride and groom are both popular young people of the valley sections, having spent most of their lives in this county.
In the evening the customary rice, old shoes and blessings of the relatives and friends were showered on the happy couple as they departed for Ukiah. The exact destination of the honeymoon being unknown.
The most wonderful photo has somehow been preserved through the years: Kate Lee Orr on her wedding day, surrounded by several amazing details. I am not sure if the two young ladies on her right and left are sisters or friends. But legend says that the letter that Kate is reading is from her parents, included with a check from her father as a wedding gift. Also - notice the photos on the wall behind her. The larger frames are of her parents: Mary Ellen Butts Orr (on the left) and Thomas David Orr (on the right). The small frame just above Kate is indistinguishable, but legend has it that these are Kate's grandparents. We are not sure which set of grandparents - it could be Samuel Orr and Urith Murray Orr, or it could be Francis Butts and Sindereller Roberts Butts. Either way - WOW! It is remarkable to have so many generations in one photo, along with such a poignant story describing the scene.
Another version of the same photo, with a few more crisp details.
In the 1910 US Census, Bob and Kate are found living in the home of Bob's parents, Thomas "Tom" Rawles and Louisa J. Tarwater Rawles. All of their neighbors listed on the census were related to them, no surprise there. :) Bob's occupation in 1910 was Farmer. He could also read and write. They had 3 children living with them in 1910: Darrel, Norma, and Zola. (Click on the photo below to enlarge and read better)
In 1920, according to the US Census, Bob and Kate were living in Ukiah. His occupation was Laborer, working as a "sheep shearer". They had 5 children living with them at that time: Darrel, Norma, Zola, Jane, and Jesse. Gene wasn't quite born yet . . . (click photo below to enlarge)
In 1930, the US Census shows that Bob and his family were still living in Ukiah, CA. Children living with them in 1930 were: Jane (16), Jesse (12), Eugene (9), and Mary (7). Their next door neighbors were Wallace and Zola (Rawles) Brown, along with their daughter, Carol. Bob's occupation was Rancher, specifically working on a stock ranch. (click photo to enlarge)
In 1932, Bob registered to vote again. He had probably voted in other elections, but this is the next time he showed up in a voter registration record. His occupation was Farmer, and his political party was Republican. He was living in Boonville at that time. You might recognize several other common names on this list, many of them being family: McGimsey, McAbee, Ornbaun, Tarwater, and Vestal. (click on photo to enlarge)
Bob and Kate in their Golden Years
By the 1940 US Census, Bob was shown living with his son, Thomas "Darrel" Rawles, and was listed as Widowed. (Kate passed away in 1939) He was 67 years old with no occupation at that time. They were living in Ukiah, CA. A very interesting thing to note was that their next door neighbors were the McCullochs! The head of household was Lafayette McCulloch, with Beulah, his wife, and the children were: James, Barbara, Robert and David. And on the other side of Darrel Rawles was William N. Butts, no doubt a relative of Kate Orr's mother (Mary Ellen Butts).
This may be one of the last photos of Bob Rawles, taken in 1944 just before his son, Gene, left with the US Army to go overseas in WWII. Jess Rawles, another son, is on the right. A note on the back of the photo said that Bob was very ill.
Loreena Hester said that "Grandpa Bob" would turn on the radio every single night to listen to the daily updates during WWII so he could know what might be happening with his son, Gene. Isn't that just so sweet? 💓
On 21 February 1948, Eugene Carlton "Bob" Rawles passed away in Redwood Valley, CA. He had been living with his son, Darrel Rawles, at the time of his death, and had experienced a "lingering illness". (see second obituary below)
Bob Rawles is buried in the Ukiah Cemetery, also known as Russian River Cemetery. His location there is: Lot 1, Block N-3.
The question I would like to ask is this:
What other details and stories do YOU know about Bob? Has anything been passed down to you that could provide a few more colors to his Life Story? Please share them with us. (contact info below)
In the Next Issue:
Who should we spotlight next? This issue included a spotlight on Gene Rawles. Who would you like to see next? Darrel? Polly? Zola? Jane? Jess? Mary? Please send me stories and photos if you have a couple.
Kate Lee Orr will also be a highlight of the next issue. If any of you have photos, memories, or stories of her, please send them to me!
Contact Info:
While I am the creator of this blog, I would love for you to add to the content of each issue. Please feel free to email me or text me. 208-403-3116 / RawlesRoots@gmail.com
Michele (Snider) Harmon
Daughter of John Snider and granddaughter of Zola Rawles Brown Snider
*Special Thanks to Amber Harmon Whitworth for her beautiful illustrations in this Rawles Roots Blog! 💓
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