Welcome once again to the Rawles Roots Blog! I hope you've had an enjoyable summer and that you have found a few ways to stay connected with your family and extended family this year.
I recently returned from a wonderful 2-week long trip to Ukiah, CA and surrounding areas, where I was able to make several connections with family members that I hadn't seen in ages. I am still in awe of all that I was able to do in such a short amount of time. I'd love to share some of the miracles that happened while I was there.
But first . . . the Rawles Big Book has been found!! It had somehow migrated up to Eureka with some of Marston Gillette's things after his passing. Jeff Gillette was able to locate the album and then he brought it down to my dad, John Snider, a few days before I arrived in CA. Hooray!! This was certainly an answer to a lot of prayers and we are all so grateful that it was found. Thank you Jeff!!! 😊
Before I even began my drive out to California, I felt inspired to get to know my Orr heritage a little better while I would be visiting the land of my Orr family. (Kate Orr married E.C. "Bob" Rawles) The two grand ideas that I had in mind were to visit Orr Hot Springs and try to get a private tour, and to reach out to the Held-Poage Research Library in Ukiah and see if I could locate some properties where the Orr family once lived. I wanted to drive to each of those places and take pictures and just stand where they had once stood. But those ideas never came to fruition. I both called and emailed each of those establishments and never heard back from a single soul. Hmmm . . . very strange, I thought.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to me, the ACTUAL miracle was unfolding . . .
I had already made plans with Loreena Hester to have a sleepover at her house where we could share some family history stories and photos and get all caught up on the "goings-on". We decided to expand our visit and reach out to Cara Anstead, who lives nearby, and arrange to meet for lunch. What a wonderful time we had! I was able to bring the Rawles Big Book with me, which allowed Loreena and Cara (and Bill) to lovingly and gratefully turn those time-worn pages and reconnect with family from years past.
Loreena Hester
I was also able to make contact with my long lost cousin, Kathy Rawles (wife of Tom Rawles, Tom being the grandson of Darrel Rawles). We collaborated together to get the Rawles Big Book DIGITIZED!!! After many phone calls, we learned that Creative Workshop in Ukiah had a large flatbed scanner that could be used to scan all those enormous pages full of photos and newspaper clippings. I dropped off the book as soon as I returned from my visit with Loreena and Cara, and they got right to work. The project took a few days to complete and cost $450 (worth every penny). They scanned each page and put all the images on a thumb drive for me. I purchased 2 additional thumb drives so that we could have more than one person with this valuable information. Right now, I have one of the thumb drives, my Dad (John Snider) has one, and Kathy Rawles has the third one. Tom and Kathy Rawles are also the proud new hosts of the Rawles Big Book. They live on a ranch just north of Ukiah, but close to Hwy. 101, and I'm sure if you're ever passing through the area you can reach out to them and they would be happy to let you stop by and take a look at it in person.
We also have a LINK for you to see the Rawles Big Book from the comfort of your own home!!!
(*Note: as you view the pages of the Rawles Big Book, you can zoom in or out, you can download any pages you want, and you can crop any photos - once downloaded - and make your own special book or project from home.)
After I hurried back to Ukiah from Loreena's house and rushed to drop off the Big Book at Creative Workshop, I drove home to my mom's house and plopped down into a soft chair in her living room. I felt such an immense sense of relief that the project was underway and that we could preserve all of those precious memories for generations to come. I got caught up in all the emotion of this endeavor, combined with all the sweet feelings of my time with Loreena and Cara, and I began to cry. I couldn't really put into words what I was feeling at that time, but it was definitely overwhelming and beautiful all at the same time.
The following morning, I woke up with an urgent feeling to reach out and try to call Daphne Martyn, another cousin that lives in Ukiah (daughter of Jess Rawles). When I called, her daughter, Angela, answered the phone, explaining that her mother was in the bank but had left her phone in the car. I learned that her father, Daphne's husband Jerry, had been very sick in the hospital for more than 3 weeks with a type of pneumonia that the doctors couldn't cure. This was back to back with a stroke that he had suffered prior to that. They were very worried about him! (Hopefully he is better by the time this is published) It was wonderful to connect with Angela, a cousin that I have never met in person before. I told her that I would be praying for their family and that as word got out to others in the Rawles clan, I was sure that others would be praying for them as well. Angela was so grateful and was eager to pass that along to her mother once she got back to the car.
After I got off the phone, I started driving up to Willits to help my Dad (John Snider) and his wife, Michelle, with some construction projects for the day. As I drove past Calpella, I felt a tug in my heart that I should ask my Dad where Aunt Naynee used to live so I could see it on my way home. And then I began feeling all those feelings again that I couldn't quite explain from the night before. Moments later, the understanding began to flow and my mind took hold of what everything meant.
I believe wholeheartedly that Kate Lee Orr Rawles, my great grandmother, was behind all of this. SHE is who wanted me to get to know my Orr family as I came out to Ukiah. She also wanted me to connect with PEOPLE, not just the places where they used to live. And then, I began to see that she had been steering me to visit the descendants of each of her 7 children, whom she loved so very, very much.
Bob & Kate's children:
Darrel - I met with Kathy Rawles, his granddaughter (-in-law) & collaborated on how to get the Rawles Big Book taken care of
Norma ("Polly") - I met with and had lunch with Cara Anstead, her daughter
Zola - I am her granddaughter, and my father is her son
June Carol ("Naynee") - I went to the Ukiah cemetery with my Dad and we put flowers on her grave
Jesse - I connected with Angela, his granddaughter, over the phone
"Gene" Jr. - I stayed the night with and spent precious time with his daughter, Loreena
Mary - On my way home to Idaho, I stopped to visit my cousin, Valorie Sappingfield, Mary's daughter, for a few hours in Portola, CA
I was able to connect with every single branch of Kate's descendants. Wow, just wow. There are several other details to the story as well, but I need to move along in this blog post. Let me just say this: Love lives on after the grave. Kate is alive and well in heaven right now. She is keenly aware of us as her descendants (and extended family as well). I think she was SO relieved that we got the Rawles Big Book taken care of and that it can be shared with everyone far and wide for years to come. I believe that she grieves with those who are struggling in the family right now and she is closeby in spirit. I believe she is proud of us and the good things we are doing in our individual lives. I believe that she wants us to stay connected and to care for one another, as she herself would do if she were still here in person. I also firmly believe that she will be at the front of the line in the procession of family members who will be there to greet us in heaven when it's our time to move on to the next life. I picture her almost jumping up and down with excitement to bring us each into her arms for a long-awaited hug. I, for one, can't wait!
The Darrel Rawles Branch
Born: Thomas Darrel Rawles on 26 May 1904 in Boonville, Mendocino, California
Died: 7 Aug 1960 in Redwood Valley, Mendocino, California
Known as: "Darrel" with his family; "Tom" with public, friends, or coworkers
Contributed by: Barbara McCulloch, Darrel's daughter
Barbara remembers the day her father, Darrel, shared the news with her that Grandma Kate passed away. It was pouring rain outside as Darrel came in to gently wake her up. He took her hand and she quietly climbed into her father's lap.
He said, "You know how you plant a seed in the ground and when spring comes along it grows and grows? Then summer comes and it bursts into bloom! It is enjoyed and loved by all. Next, fall comes and the leaves start to wither, and by winter time, the plant has died. But there is always another spring on the way, with new life each year, and new growth."
This was the beautiful method by which he taught his daughter, Barbara, about life and death and the hereafter. It was so poignant that she has remembered that scene and that tender conversation all of these years. Barbara was just 7 years old when her Grandma Kate passed away.
Another story of Darrel:
Darrel and Alma Hollingsworth dated all through high school. He played football and "Horsey" was his nickname on the field. Alma was close friends with Norma and Zola Rawles. Darrel asked Alma multiple times during high school if Alma would marry him. She always said no.
After high school, Alma went down to San Francisco for some nursing training. He continued asking for her hand in marriage, but she always declined. At one point, Darrel gave her an Easter Lily, with 7 buds on it. He simply said, "I'm asking one more time. When the last flower has bloomed and gone, I'll be gone too." It didn't take her very long before she realized she didn't want him gone from her life, and she finally accepted his offer.
Barbara remembers that her parent's marriage was beautiful and perfect and that they never raised their voices.
Darrel also taught Barbara a lighthearted response when she would get teased in school. He told her if they ever said something mean to her, to just reply with, "Yep, that's right!"
Darrel "took over" after his mother Kate's death, because his father, "Bob", was really struggling. Darrel became the mentor and leader of the family. His siblings came to him to let him know they were getting married. He even made a lattice backdrop for one of their weddings, with ferns from the forest woven into it. He was kind to everyone and loved to have everyone in the family gather together.
Something that many family members have mentioned about Darrel is that he was the instigator in renewing the Rawles Reunion that had dwindled into nothing for a time. He was passionate about gathering the family and saw to it that the Reunion was renewed and rejuvenated. Because of him, the Reunion has lasted for many decades, even after his passing.
The only things that have slowed or stopped the Rawles Reunion have been old age (and subsequent inability for travel) and Covid-19.
Our tree is strong because of our roots . . .
In this issue, we will get to know "Grandma Kate".
What do we know about Kate? (Below: Kate on the left, her younger sister "Molly" on the right)
Kate Lee Orr was born on 30 Dec 1881 in Hearst, Mendocino, California. Hearst is a very small farming community north of Potter Valley and northeast of Willits. Her father, Thomas David Orr (1854-1930), was 27 years old when she was born. He was a stock raiser, a very successful farmer, he worked in a local sawmill for a time, and was also a real estate investor. In 1891, Thomas registered to vote in Mendocino County, and was described as: age 37, 5'8", dark complexion, black eyes, and gray hair. Kate's mother, Mary Ellen Butts (1858-1921), was 23 years old when Kate was born. Mary was the mother of 8 children, and Kate landed in the child #4 slot. She was also the first girl!
Kate's parents: Thomas D. Orr and Mary E. Butts Orr
The Orr family had arrived in Mendocino County in 1858 and were highly respected in the communities surrounding Ukiah. More information, including some entertaining stories of Kate's father (who was somewhat accident-prone), can be found by clicking on the link below.
Orr Family Newspaper Tidbits from Mendocino County, CA:
The Butts family arrived in Mendocino County around 1870, having moved up north from Santa Clara, CA. Frances B. Butts (1832-1900), Kate's grandfather, was a carpenter. There have been references to his middle name being "Berrian" or "Berrin", but I came across a mention that the name Marion had been passed down through that line. Frances Butts could have had the middle name Marion instead of Berrian. Kate's older brother was named Frances Marion Orr, so there is a possibility of him being named after his grandfather . . .
Frances B. Butts, Kate's grandfather, is buried in the Ukiah Cemetery, alongside his wife, Sindereller Roberts (1836-1880). Kate's parents are also buried in the Ukiah Cemetery.
There is a story that Kate Lee Orr met her future husband, E.C. "Bob" Rawles, at the Hearst School, where they both worked. We believe that Kate and Bob were both teachers, although there are no records available to prove this. In an email from Tim at the Historical Society of Mendocino County, he states the following:
"Our records on the Hearst School are sparse. The roster of teachers that I found starts in 1902 and doesn't include Rawles or Orr. It is likely that Orr was a teacher because there were 3 pupils from the Orr family enrolled in 1903, and the teachers were often chosen because they had family in the school. Thomas Orr was also cited as an 'early trustee' of the school. The only photo we have is from 1914, and thus, not very helpful."
Kate Orr
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In the photo above, there is such an amazing story associated with it! Kate is seated in the middle, but I am not sure who is on either side. They could be friends or sisters or sisters-in-law. What we do know is that Kate is supposedly reading a letter from her father on her wedding day, and that there was a substantial check given to her as a wedding gift as well. Behind her on the wall are photos of her parents and grandparents!! The large frame on the left is her mother, Mary Ellen Butts Orr, and on the right is her father, Thomas David Orr. The smaller frame in the middle is her grandparents, but is too small for identifying which set of grandparents - the Orrs? or the Butts? We just don't know . . .
Photo of Kate Orr and ______? Kate is on the right.
In 1910, Bob and Kate lived with Bob's parents, Thomas E. Rawles and Louisa Tarwater Rawles, over the hill in Boonville. The address was listed as Cloverdale and Boonville Road. (1910 US Census)
In 1920, Bob and Kate lived in a home located at 1143 West Standley Street in Ukiah, CA. (1920 US Census)
In 1930, Bob and Kate lived together with their daughter, Zola, and Zola's then-husband, Wallace Brown, and their daughter, Carol Brown. Their address at that time was 612 Dora Avenue, Ukiah, CA, which was just around the corner from where Pomolita Middle School stands today.
In 1932, Kate registered to vote in Mendocino County. She registered as a Republican and listed her name as "Katie Lee Rawles". You might recognize a few other surnames on the list below . . .
Kate's oldest daughter, Norma (or "Polly"), wrote down all her memories of growing up in a series of letters that are now contained in a binder belonging to Cara Anstead. She let me borrow a copy of Norma's writings, and I would like to share some beautiful thoughts that Norma recorded of her mother. She painted the most vivid scenes of what life was like back then . . .
"My mother was a beautiful lady. She had black hair and deep brown eyes. She had a beautiful personality, compassion, she was a gentle lady. She had patience with a capital P. Patience you wouldn't believe.
"I can remember hearing her in the garden at 5 a.m., hoeing. The hoe would hit a rock, and make a ringing sound. It never occurred to any of us to get up and go help her. She would work in the garden for at least an hour, then she'd come in and start breakfast. Ummm, I can smell it today. Bacon or venison frying, oatmeal simmering on the back of the stove, a big huge wood range. She would go into the pantry and mix up her famous sourdough biscuits. She made at least 36 every morning. That number fit into a big square bake pan. As she was scraping the bread board off with her biscuit cutter, I'd wake up again. An every morning ritual.
"While the biscuits were baking, she'd make a skillet full of gravy. We'd all sit down to the big table in the kitchen. It was extended out to about 16 feet, was a round oak table when the leaves were out. There was usually 12 to 16 people at the table. As soon as breakfast was over, us kids all ran out to the car, or truck, and headed for school in Ukiah. Probably about 12 or 15 miles away.
"While Mom was waiting for the kids to get home from school, she'd go to the piano and play. Maybe "Long, Long Ago", "Bringing in the Sheaves", "When You Were a Tulip", "Where the River Shannon Flows", and many more. I can see her sitting at the piano now. Her grayish black hair and a big smile. When Old Red would get up off the floor and go to the door, she'd know the kids were nearing home as Ol' Red had felt the vibrations of the car.
"Thinking back, I don't know how we, all of us, could have been so thoughtless. We went off to the hill all the time, but 'good old Mom' - she stayed behind, did all the work, cooked our meals and was waiting with a smile and a pleasant greeting when we returned.
"I can't remember her going to town to visit anyone. How she could have been content to just stay home, I don't know. Lots of people used to come and visit her and Dad. Everybody was always welcome, anytime of day or night. The first thing she'd ask when one came in, "Have you had your supper?" or "Anything to eat?" A place was prepared for them to sleep, if it was during the night. There wasn't any electricity, so they used kerosene lamps for the house and lanterns for outside and at the barn.
(1938) "Mom became very ill, she had seen this one Dr. in Ukiah for 18 years. He just said her blood pressure was high. In the summer of 1938, Dad and Jane brought Mom down to Santa Rosa where we were living. She was practically blind. She could only see a blur like if anyone came into the room. We got her into a Dr. the next day. He bled her right away to take her blood pressure down, it was up to 200+. The Dr. said it was a wonder she hadn't had a stroke before this time. He gave her some tests. She had diabetes, was practically in a coma.
"She was put into a hospital. It was several days before she got her sight back. She was there about 3 weeks, then into a convalescent hospital for a couple of weeks. Then she was allowed to come to our house. She was much improved but had to have insulin before each meal, which Jane learned to give. I was too chicken, was afraid to. After a few weeks, Dr. Henis (sp?) thought she should be in an apartment away from the little children and away from our house as it was jam up against a poultry hatchery. So Dad rented an apartment from a friend of ours up nearer the center of town. They stayed there for a couple of months, then we got a house together on 8th Street near town. We all lived there until around the 15th of December. Mom felt well enough and wanted to go back to Ukiah. So they moved back. (1938)
"Mom and Dad and Jane moved back with us in the late spring of 1939, she wasn't feeling so well. We lived on College Avenue then. Zola came down from Oroville to see Mom. She could only stay a few days, as the children were left with a babysitter. Mom didn't get any better. She was in so much pain, even the shots the Dr. gave her wouldn't help. In September she had a heart attack. The Dr. came in, took one look at her, asked what she weighed, gave her a shot of adrenaline, propped her up in bed with her head down between and on her knees, so her lungs would drain. She was that way all the rest of the night. The next morning she said, "I must have been awful sick last night." This was September 19, 1939.
"She was pretty good for a while. Then in December, in the first week, she began to get worse and worse. Alma came down from Ukiah (my brother Darrel's wife) to help with her. Alma was a nurse. Mom passed away Dec. 19, 1939.
"My father had been heavily sedated as he hadn't been able to sleep for the past 2 weeks. When she died, he woke up because he knew it. He said a voice spoke to him saying, 'In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.' He said he knew what it meant and he was out of bed in a flash. Dad was broken hearted. He always said, "he died at the same time".
"My world fell apart at this time. It took the longest time for me to get over the loss. In fact, I still yearn for her. My mother was too young and such a lovely person, to have to go. She was a wonderful mother and friend. Everyone who knew her admired her deeply. You can ask any niece, nephew, anyone who knew her. Always had nice things to say about her. And still do."
Kate Lee Orr Rawles passed away on 19 Dec 1939 in Santa Rosa, CA. She was only 57 years old. She is buried in the Ukiah Cemetery next to her husband, "Bob" Rawles. I have visited their gravesite before, but this time was different. After I had a chance to visit with all of the descendants of their seven children, I was able to place some flowers on their headstone and have a peaceful moment in the place where their bodies were laid to rest so long ago. It felt like everything was complete. I did what Kate wanted me to do and I felt that she was content.
Rustic Rawles Recipes A few of our Rawles cousins have a requested a place to share some favorite family recipes once again. Many of us still have our trusty old copy of the Rawles Cookbook - and if you don't, we can get a copy made for you - but this is a new chance to share some old familiar favorites. Perhaps you have a recipe that your grandmother or great-aunt wrote down in her own handwriting and you could share a copy of that. Or perhaps you have a hankering for "that one thing that Zola used to make" and can't find the recipe. We can put the word out and try to track it down for you through our Rawles family connections.
Barbara McCulloch has a profound love for "Aunt Zola's Chili Beans", even to this day. She could recite the entire recipe from memory!! Here is the treasured recipe as Barbara remembers it.
Zola's Chili Beans
1 lb. small red beans, cooked
*Add 1 tsp baking soda as it comes to a boil to remove the gas
Simmer for 10 minutes, then turn burner off and let sit for one hour uncovered.
Drain baking soda water, and replace with fresh water to cover.
1 chopped onion
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 lb. ground beef (*brown beef with the onion and pepper)
3 Tbsp. Gebhart chili powder (*can be found on Amazon)
3 small cans tomato sauce
Stir all ingredients together, including cooked beans. Add more water if needed. Bake in the oven at 325 degrees for one hour. This allows the flavors to meld together.
Barbara also contributed this next family favorite. She remembers that they always had this stew on Christmas Day, and she thinks it may have originated with Grandma Kate.
Dad's Stew (Dad = Darrel Rawles)
Stew meat (brown it first)
Add:
Potatoes
Onion
Garlic
1 rutabaga
1 parsnip
1 can tomato sauce
2 cans tomato paste
Salt & pepper to taste
And of course, add WATER.
Simmer until done.
One more - - Barbara McCulloch shared this recipe, adding that Grandma Kate made the vinaigrette and salad often, and passed the recipe on to her kids. Darrel also made this salad many times for his own family, which Barbara enjoyed very much!
Kate's Salad
Chopped cabbage (about 1/2 of a head)
1 green bell pepper, diced
6+ tomatoes, diced
1 onion, chopped
Vinaigrette:
3 Tbsp salad oil
2 Tbsp vinegar
Salt & Pepper
1 tsp sugar
Serve right away. It's also very good the following day, as the flavors have had time to blend together.
**Special thanks to Amber Whitworth for her talents and efforts to make all of the illustrations for this blog and newsletter. Amber is the daughter of Michele Harmon, granddaughter of John Snider, great-granddaughter of Zola Rawles Snider, and great-great granddaughter of Kate Orr Rawles. 😀
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