Hello and welcome to another edition of the Rawles Family Blog! I'm sorry I wasn't able to prepare a newsletter last fall, but life gets so busy sometimes, as I'm sure many of you can relate to. I hope things are going well for each of you, and that as we begin another new year you are full of hope and patience for good things to come.
Last August, we had a Rawles Family Picnic at the Vinewood Park in Ukiah, CA. (Located at 1260 Elm Street and close to the Fairgrounds) We anticipated a HOT summer afternoon, but with the shade of the abundant trees and a nice breeze, we were quite comfortable. We had rented the use of the picnic tables and even went through the trouble of setting up a shade canopy, but we ended up just enjoying our camp chairs beneath the trees and on the soft green grass.
From upper left, clockwise: Emily Snider, Lily Snider, Ryan Snider (John's son), Blake Snider, Lynn McCulloch, Michelle Snider, John Snider, and Barbara McCulloch (red sweater).
If any of you are interested in seeing the Rawles Big Book photos and newspaper clippings from the comfort of your Lazyboy recliner, just click on this link:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6nv3tYmnETKf9zAfA
Lily Snider - enjoying a refreshing popsicle at the picnic . . .
Barbara McCulloch treated us to some short stories and her favorite memories of each of Bob & Kate Rawles' children: her own father, Darrel Rawles, Norma Rawles Frye, Zola Rawles Snider, June Carol "Naynee" Rawles Carter, Jess Rawles, Eugene "Gene" Rawles Jr., and Mary Rawles Sappingfield.
Video #1 of Barbara's stories: (I missed the first few seconds, but hopefully you'll get the gist)
(4 minutes, 31 seconds)
Video #2 of Barbara's stories: (3 minutes, 19 seconds)
Barbara will be 92 in May of 2024, and she is still sharp as a tack! She loves phone calls and meaningful conversations. We were so privileged to hear her thoughts and impressions of her aunts and uncles over many years of interactions with them. What a special thing to capture Barbara on video, too! Now her stories and impressions will be available to future generations.
Front row, L to R: Ryan Snider and his dog, Cooper, John Snider, Lily Snider holding the shoulders of her younger brother, Blake Snider, and Barbara McCulloch.
Middle and back row, L to R: Lynn McCulloch, Michelle Snider, Mike McCulloch, Kathy Rawles, Emily Snider (in front of Kathy), Tom Rawles, Audrey Hester, Loreena Hester, Aidan Hester, Cherie Hester, and me - Michele Harmon.
Another activity we encouraged was to write a caring note to a missing attendee on one of the cards that had been provided. The cards were then either mailed or hand-delivered to the recipients. One of those recipients was our cousin, Valorie Sappingfield, daughter of Great-Aunt Mary Sappingfield. Mary was the youngest of the seven children of E.C. "Bob" Rawles and Kate Lee Orr. Valorie had a strong wish to be there in person, but her health requires her to stay closer to home. She really wanted all 7 branches of Bob & Kate to be represented at the picnic. Even though there might not have been a physical descendent from all 7 branches of the family standing there in person in the photo above, I would venture to say that many of our deceased ancestors were already there in spirit with us. ❤
Michele Harmon (me) and Valorie Sappingfield.
The Rawles Family Picnic was a success. It wasn't fancy, but it didn't need to be. We visited and reconnected and that's what mattered most. We are planning to have another family picnic this coming summer, so stay tuned for more details to come in the near future.
You are who you are because of them . . .
The June Rawles Branch
Born: June Carol Rawles on 4 June 1913 in Boonville, Mendocino, CA
Married: 9 June 1967 in Ukiah, CA (at the age of 54) to William H. Carter
Died: 31 May 1988 in St. Helena, Napa, CA
Known as: Jane to some, Janie to a few, and "Aunt Naynee" to others
Stories contributed by: Valorie Sappingfield, Loreena Hester, John Snider, Barbara McCulloch, and Cara Anstead
SHORT BIO - - - - -
The story of Jane's name has an interesting twist. While we're not exactly sure how it all began, we do know how and when the story came to light. Jane was in the process of starting a job at the shipyards up north in Arcata, CA. She needed to produce a copy of her birth certificate as part of the application formalities. This was during World War II, and perhaps that's why it took a while to get her certificate back in the mail. When it finally arrived, it caused quite a shock to Jane and a few other family members, including her own father! They had thought this whole time that her name was Thurza Jane Rawles, most likely in honor of her great-aunt, Thurza Jane Rawles (1834-1918). But the birth certificate stated that her name was actually JUNE CAROL RAWLES. It makes you wonder who originally filled out the birth certificate back in 1913 and why Jane's father didn't know about this . . . ha ha.
Instead of Rosie the Riveter, we had our own "Janie" the Welder . . . She was the only girl in this crew photo.
From Valorie June Sappingfield: (Jane's niece)
You could call her "June",
Or, you could call her "Janie",
You could call her "Thurza Jane",
Or, you could call her "Naynee".
But, by whatever name you called her, she was always there for you. All smiles and smelling of sugar and spice and, unlike Santa Claus, she did not judge if you were naughty or nice. She always opened her heart and her loving arms to you and cut into a freshly-baked pie and served you a hearty slice.
Then, sitting across her kitchen table, a cup of hot coffee or one of her lovely china tea cups in front of her, she would fill you in, as she filled you up, on how many newborn squirrels she could see out her kitchen sink window, even recognizing them by name. Or, how early (or late) the pear trees blossomed that year, or which bird species were in the neighborhood, and which of her beautiful flowers were blooming (early or late), and which of her numerous family members were on her radar at the moment, and which of Bill's dogs needed some extra TLC or attention from her.
Or, she might speak of her Gardening Club, or her Baptist Church doin's, until the pie and coffee were consumed, and warmth and comfort enveloped you. The "prodigal son", daughter, niece, nephew, sister, brother, friend, or neighbor were always welcomed "Home".
She was my own personal "Fairy Godmother", my own "Auntie Mame" (though more sweet and conservative or tame). She was "fey", as the Irish folk called one who could communicate with the "lilpeople", or "see" into the future. She taught me how to read the tea leaves in the bottom of our china cups when I was but 9 or 10. She was an early role model for me - a strong, self-sufficient single, working-woman. (In those days they were called an "old maid" or "spinster".)
My memory does not recall the details, but I remember she wanted to marry Bill Carter, but her Father did not approve, so she turned Bill's offer down, and soon thereafter, he married another woman. (*Editor's note: Barbara McCulloch offers some clarification on this story further down in the post.)
Meanwhile, June/Jane/Janie went to work at the JCPenney store in Ukiah, and went to live with her friend, Eathyl Hicks, in the big house next to Malrob Court in Calpella. As a teenager, I would often come to spend time with her in the summers. One funny memory I have is her rushing to get to work in the morning and, being a slow riser, I probably caused her to hurry. She would speed down Hwy. 101 in her tomato-soup-red VW Bug (quite racy for those days . . .), with me riding "shotgun" in the passenger seat. She would steer her "Bug" with one hand, and somehow manage to touch up her red fingernail polish on the other, then shift gears, and hands, and do the nails on her other hand.
Aunt Jane with her VW Bug . . .
Sometimes, we would run out of gas and, without missing a beat, she would reach over with her foot and click over the "Reserve Fuel" lever on the floorboards and keep on driving!
I think she may have been pursued by some men along the way, but her heart belonged to Bill Carter. Years later, in the late 1950's or early 1960's, she moved to Sacramento to live with us and get her teaching credential at Sac State. She became an elementary teacher in the nearby community of Elk Grove. Then, one day, circa 1967, she received a "Dear Jane" letter, from her long-time love, Bill Carter. It was short and sweet, and obviously hard for him to pen, being a rancher all his life. In it, he told her that "his wife had died, and would she consider marrying him? Love, Bill." Would she? Well, she quit her job in short order and moved back to Ukiah and married "Willie", as she called him. They lived happily ever after, and not until death did they part.
P.S. I hope she is proud of me. Years later, I became a minister, and a tea-leaf, palm, and star reader, and some may call me "fey", thanks to my Aunt June.
From Loreena Hester: (Jane's niece) When Loreena was 12 years old, Aunt Jane sent her a recipe box with a note that she would be coming soon to teach her how to bake. Aunt Jane arrived with not only her usual amount of love and kindness, but also with a good portion of enthusiasm. She taught Loreena how to bake Crazy Cake (recipe below), her soon-to-be-world-famous Banana Bread, and Divinity.
Jane's Banana Bread recipe spread far and wide and there were many requests for either THAT bread or for THAT recipe. Everyone loved it. The Divinity recipe required some special care, which Aunt Jane carefully demonstrated to Loreena. Together, they made festive portions of pink and green divinity with walnuts. Loreena recalled that they received some of Aunt Jane's divinity every year at Christmas time in a carefully packed round tin. Loreena recalls that Aunt Jane's zest for baking was passed on to several others in the family. Loreena has a love for baking to this day, all because of Aunt Jane.
Aunt Jane also brought a little gift each time she came to visit. Loreena knew there would be something waiting for her on top of her dresser when she got home from school, and she would eagerly run in to see what it was. One time there was a doll sitting on the dresser, made out of pipe cleaners. Years later, Aunt Jane also made a white undergarment for Loreena's wedding day, which she wore under her beautiful wedding gown.
Back row: Barbara Rawles (Jess' wife) and Aunt Jane Rawles Carter
Front row: Norma Rawles Frye, Loreena Rawles Hester holding her daughter, Krystle
Photo taken by Daphne Rawles Martyn. All the aunts came to bring gifts to little Krystle, who was born in September 1981.
Loreena's father, Gene Rawles, and Aunt Jane's husband, Bill Carter, were close. Bill and Auntie Jane would sometimes come to visit Gene and Dora Rawles at their Red Mountain Creek cabin. The cabin was old, and while a newer cabin was slowly being built, the only way to reach the main cabin was a precarious route across a log. Gene had fashioned the giant log into a "bridge" to get across the creek, which was approximately 20 feet below. The log was about 30 feet long and had wooden slats across the top to allow for better footing when walking across. He also made a handrail along one side for additional support and safety.
One day, Dora and Loreena were across the creek, waiting in the cabin for Bill and Auntie Jane's arrival. As they watched through the window, they saw Bill and Jane begin to cross the log. At one point, Jane slipped and fell, but somehow managed to hold onto the slatted steps on the log with her BARE HANDS, while her entire body dangled over the creek several feet below. Bill froze, but Gene saw what had happened and dashed from the cabin as fast as his legs could carry him along the 50-75 yard path to get over to the log. He ran onto the log bridge and grabbed Aunt Jane and pulled her up to safety. She had held on with her bare hands that entire time!! Loreena estimated that she (herself) was about 25-ish at the time (1969 +/-), which would have made Auntie Jane about 56 years old. What a remarkable woman, to have had that kind of strength and endurance at that age!
Jane loved her VW Beetles. When Loreena was about 10 years old, Auntie Jane brought her brand new Beetle over to share.
Loreena sitting on Auntie Jane's Beetle Bug . . .
When Gene Rawles (Loreena's father) was serving in Germany, Jane came and stayed at their cabin with Dora and her young toddler, Kenny, who was only about 15 months old at the time. Jane did all the cooking and helped the family out for several months. This was at Red Mountain Creek. While staying there, Jane would write letters to her younger brother, Gene. Sometimes she would craft carefully coded poems to communicate with him, while trying to glean details about his situation and/or his whereabouts. For example, in one of her coded poems, she wrote the question: "How's your glasses?" The hidden question that only she and Gene understood was, "How is Glasgow?" She wanted to verify his location. What a clever lady!
Jane and her younger brother, Gene Rawles, before he left for his WWII service . . .
Jane Rawles, E.C. "Bob" Rawles, and Ethyl Brown Luke (Dora Eichen Rawles' sister)
L to R: Dora Rawles, Mary Rawles, Jane Rawles, and Alma Rawles (Barbara McCulloch's mother)
From John Snider: (Jane's nephew) When John's older sister, Carol Brown Gillette, was very young, she couldn't say, "Janey". It came out more like, "Naynee". And that's how the nickname began.
When John was about 3 or 4 years old (and older), he remembers visiting Aunt Naynee regularly. She would stop whatever she was doing just to make the visit special for him. He recalls how she would prepare a foil-lined cookie sheet and then they would go on a nature walk together. She would help him collect ferns, moss, seeds, etc. so they could make a diorama with all of the gathered items. She would form a flowing creek on the cookie sheet and add in a bit of moss along the edges. She would also add in some tiny ceramic animals to complete the scene. John really enjoyed these magical adventures and then playing with their collaborative creation afterwards.
At one point, Jane had moved in with a family friend, Eathyl Hicks, known to many as "Aunt" Eathyl. They shared a two-story house out in Calpella. Jane had a mannequin dress form, a torso shape for her sewing projects, and it was stored up in the dusty attic when not in use. Well, John loved watching the show, "Caspar, the Friendly Ghost", and Aunt Naynee knew this. One day, she decorated the dress form with a white sheet, adding some eyes and a smiley mouth. Then, when John came for a visit, she had a special invitation: "Let's go see if we can find Caspar!"
John remembers she had a "tin" full of buttons. From time to time, she would have John search for matching pairs of buttons to keep him busy. As far as Naynee's baking went, John added an additional testimonial that her divinity was the absolute best. She was famous for making Russian Tea Cakes, too.
When John was in his late teens, he got a ticket for speeding. He didn't want to tell his parents, so he went to visit with Aunt Naynee instead. She was a very good listener and he felt very comfortable talking to her. She did eventually convince him to tell his parents what had happened.
From Barbara McCulloch: (Jane's niece) Anyone that ever needed help or was in trouble could always go to Jane. She was a storyteller, an actress, and could write and recite poems. Barbara remembers Aunt Jane's rendition of a poem from "Little Orphan Annie". As she quoted this next little bit, she did so very animatedly with extra emphasis on the "get you" part: " . . . and the goblins will GET YOU if you don't watch out . . ."
Barbara wasn't certain if the poet Riley's version was the same version that Aunt Jane used to recite, but it was very close. Here is the link to "Little Orphant Annie" by James Whitcomb Riley:
When Jane and a few other family members moved up to Arcata to work in the shipyards in the 1940's, all the girl cousins felt bad that Jane wasn't married. (The cousins were Barbara McCulloch, Carol and Donna Brown, along with Shirley and Normalea Frye.) Together, they wrote in to the newspaper column, "Advice to the Lovelorn" on behalf of Jane, as if they were her. Barbara wasn't ever sure what the outcome was . . .
Aunt Jane promised her dying mother, Kate Orr Rawles, that she would forego getting married in order to take care of her father, "Bob" Rawles. She kept her promise and did not get married until many years later.
From Cara Anstead: (Jane's niece) While growing up, we didn't go to the movies very much. On my 12th birthday, Aunt Jane invited me over, along with several of my friends and some kids fom school. She prepared lunch for all of us at her home near the Redwood Tree Gas Station in Ukiah. This was really special for me because I didn't usually get invited to birthday parties.
After lunch was over, Aunt Jane announced that we were all going to the theater together! I was so happy. We watched the Peter Pan movie (in 1953) and then we came back to her house afterwards. It was a lot of fun.
Aunt Jane invited me to spend the night on occasion. One time we made a birthday card together, and we baked a round, one layer cake. It was very tall, with a hole in the middle. Together we frosted the cake and we had a really nice time. It was very exciting when I saw her put my mom's name on it! And I was so happy to bring this all home to my mom for her birthday, all thanks to Aunt Jane.
Sometimes I would spend a Saturday night with her and we'd go to church on Sunday morning. She was always very sweet and kind, both to me, and also to my brothers and sisters. I loved her dearly. She was so sweet.
If my parents had to go somewhere and I didn't want to go with them, I would spend the night at Aunt Jane's house. After dinner, I would take a bath and then get into bed. After I had been reading for a while, Aunt Jane would come in and say, "Okay, it's time to turn over and go to sleep now." She would often cut off the top part of an orange and suck the juice out. It always smelled so good. As she sat in the room with me, it didn't take me very long to go to sleep after that.
Our tree is strong because of our roots . . .
In this issue, we will learn a little bit about Louisa Jane Tarwater.
Louisa Jane was the third child born to her parents, Robert Holt Tarwater and Rebecca J. Maddox. She was born in Independence, Missouri on 28 October 1849. Louisa Tarwater and Thomas Edward Rawles later became the parents of E.C. "Bob" Rawles. (click the photos below to enlarge for better reading)
*Note: The father listed above for Robert Holt Tarwater is not yet proven. While I have investigated and dug around for many years to find his father, and even collaborated with an accomplished genealogist and cousin, Maurice Tarwater - who lives in Missouri, we have not found anything conclusive. Please do not treat this information as factual . . . at least for now. We are confident that Robert's mother was Rachel Tarwater, though. We just haven't been able to prove who his father was.
Louisa Jane Tarwater in an undated photo . . .
First and foremost, I would like to emphasize the correct pronunciation for Louisa Tarwater. It is NOT Loo-WEE-zah, as I have ignorantly referred to her all my life. According to Barbara McCulloch, who knew her personally as a young child, Louisa taught her grandchildren to call her "Grammy I" or "Grandma I", and that her name was pronounced, "Loo-WY-zah". I have also seen a reference to her in the Rawles Big Book as Grandma Yi, as shown in the following memory from Aunt Mary Sappingfield (click below to enlarge).
Photo taken in 1944: (L to R) Louisa J. Tarwater Rawles, Zola Rawles (in front of Louisa), Norma Rawles, E.C. "Bob" Rawles holding Jane Rawles, and Kate Lee Orr Rawles. (Photo is included in the Rawles Big Book, see link above.)
Memories of Loo-WY-zah from Barbara McCulloch: "I remember her as being tall, perpendicular, and very thin. She was a pleasant lady, soft-spoken and revered. If you saw her, you loved her. :)
"My father, Darrel Rawles, bought some property in Ukiah on Dora Avenue. He lived at 717 Dora, and just two doors down, Kate Orr Rawles's sister, lived at 713 Dora. Her name was Mary Orr McClellan. Whenever Louisa came into town, she would stay at Mary's place." Side note: Barbara remembers her father's property had an old house out back with wooden floors and a claw-footed tub.
"When Louisa broke her hip, she was staying at Aunt Mary McClellan's house, and that's also where she died."
Barbara was just 5 or 6 years old when Grandma I died. She remembers her voice being soft like Aunt Jane's, but a little deeper.
Timeline for Louisa Jane Tarwater Rawles:
1880 Census. Louisa was 31 years old and was living with her husband, Thomas Edward Rawles, in Anderson, CA.
A couple of interesting things on this record include: Their son is listed as ROBERT C. Rawles, which might explain how he went from Eugene Carlton, to E.C., to BOB Rawles. Louisa's father was Robert Tarwater, so that could explain the link between the two. Another interesting note is that Louisa's two brothers, Henry E. "Tommy" Tarwater and Andrew Jackson Tarwater, were living with them. They were listed as laborers. Louisa's father-in-law, Joseph W. Rawles, was also living there in 1880. He was 72 years old and died the following year. (click photo to enlarge)
1900 Census. Louisa was 50 years old and had been married for 31 years. She was the mother of 3 children and all 3 had survived into adulthood.
Some interesting items on this census: Louisa's son, E.C. "Bob" Rawles, is listed as "Widowed" at 27 years old. You may recall in an earlier Rawles Blog post that he was briefly married to Mitto Blevins before he married Kate Lee Orr. They were divorced in 1900, but Mitto did not die anytime soon. Sometimes the informant for the census interview was a neighbor who didn't know all the facts if the resident family wasn't home to answer the questions themselves. This may have been the case here.
Louisa's father, Robert Tarwater, is also living with them in 1900. He was 74 years old and widowed. He later died in 1909 down in Southern CA while staying with his son, Benjamin W. Tarwater, in the town of Murrieta. (click photo below to enlarge)
1910 Census. Louisa was 60 years old, still living on the farm in Anderson Valley. She and Thomas had been married for 40 years by this time. Her son, E.C. "Bob" Rawles and his wife, Kate Orr Rawles, were living with them, as well as their three children so far: Thomas Darrel, Norma, and Zola. Louisa's brother, Andrew Jackson Tarwater, was also living there. He is listed as Jackson A., age 58, and was working as a Drover on the range. (click photo below to enlarge)
1920 Census. Louisa was 71 years old and widowed as she stayed with her son, Leslie A. Rawles and his family in Calipatria, Imperial County, CA. Louisa's husband, Thomas E. Rawles, had passed away in 1913. (click photo below to enlarge)
1930 Census. Louisa was 80 years old as she stayed with her sister, Emma Tarwater Pefley, in Belleville, San Bernardino County, CA. Her younger sister was 63 years old and her husband, Ernest Pefley, was a Mine Foreman. (click photo below to enlarge)
The headstone she shares with her husband, Thomas Edward Rawles, at the Rawles Cemetery in Boonville, CA.
Per Barbara McCulloch, Joseph William Rawles (1808-1881), donated property in Boonville for a "poor man's cemetery". This is where most of the Rawles are buried. He lived right across the road from the cemetery.
A few other poignant memories from Barbara McCulloch:
- Grandma Kate Orr Rawles planted a yellow rose out in front of the property located at 717 Dora Avenue in Ukiah. Would anyone care to see if it's still growing there?
- Mary Orr McClellan sewed pockets into her slips to hold a little bit of money or coins. Barbara saw her pull up her dress to reach into her secret pocket to get some money out. It was a very pretty pocket with lace around it.
- This was also the first place that Barbara tasted turkey soup (at Aunt Mary McClellan's), and she absolutely loved it. Barbara asked her mother why they didn't ever have turkey soup. Her mother said it was because there was never any meat leftover when they had a turkey! Barbara always made sure to make turkey soup after she was married and had a family of her own.
Below is a map of the area surrounding Boonville, CA. It can be found in the Rawles Big Book and is entitled, "A Boontling Map of Anderson Valley". In the lower right is "Boont", or Boonville. Slightly north of Boont, if you follow the main road, is Tarwater Hill. And directly west of Boont, you can see "Rawles Dusties", with a cross, which I believe represents the cemetery across from the Rawles property. (click to enlarge photo below)
I can't wait to meet Louisa in heaven someday so I can ask her about her family and their trip across the U.S. to settle in Anderson Valley when she was just a young girl of about 7 or 8 years old. ❤
1 1/3 c. sugar
1/2 cup butter (melted)
2 eggs
Stir in:
7 Tbsp. sour milk
1 cup mashed bananas (about 3-4 bananas)
1 tsp. vanilla
Sift together and stir in:
2 cups flour
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
Add: 1/2 cup chopped walnuts.
Pour into a well-greased 9x5x3" loaf pan and a smaller mini loaf pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 min. Test the top for doneness. Cool breads on their sides.
Valorie says: This is one of my favorites! Yum! When I was a teenager, I'd spend summers in Ukiah with Aunt Naynee and one day she made this cake for me. I thought it was magic and/or crazy because it wasn't out of a box, or a normal recipe.
Mix well, dump into (greased) 9-inch square pan, and make 3 holes:
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
3 Tbsp. cocoa
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
Then distribute:
1 Tbsp. vinegar
1 tsp. vanilla
Pour 1 cup cold water over all. Use slotted turner to stir and mix all together. Scrape bottom and corners to mix all well. Bake in 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes. Cool in pan on rack.
Mother's Sticky Roasted Chicken (contributed by Valorie Sappingfield)
Note from Valorie: I found this in my mom's box. I think this was Aunt Jane's copy and that it was originally from her mother, Kate Orr Rawles.
2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp white pepper
1/4 tsp black pepper
In a small bowl, thoroughly combine all of the spices. Rub mixture into a 3 lb. chicken, inside and out, patting mixture into skin to make sure it is evenly distributed and down deep into the skin. Place in sealable plastic bag, seal and refrigerate overnight.
When ready to roast chicken, stuff cavity with 1 cup chopped onions. Roast, uncovered, at 250 degrees about 5 hours, basting occasionally with pan juices, or until pan juices start to carmelize on bottom of pan and chicken is golden brown.
Serves 4.
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