Clan William: Harry K. Newburn, University President

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson > Susanna Munson > Jacob Newburn > Charles R Newburn > Harry K Newburn

Samuel was the father of my 4GG, Freeman Munson, Calvin was Freeman's oldest brother.

Harry Kenneth Newburn was the middle son of three boys of Charles R Newburn and his wife Mary Alice Bayless. He was born Jan 1, 1906 in Cuba, Fulton County, Illinois. He married Wandaleigh "Lee" Brady on Jun 16, 1928 in Burlington, Iowa.

Harry attended university at Western Illinois University, graduating in 1929. He got both his master's and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa, finally completing his formal education in 1933. 

His first jobs were in K-12 education, teaching high school and serving as both principal and superintendent in Iowa and Illinois before accepting a position as dean of the liberal arts college at the University of Iowa in 1941. 

In 1945, he accepted a position as the president of University of Oregon, where he made great strides in improving the university and elevating its position in the University system. The U of O website describes his term as 8th university president as:

"When Harry K. Newburn became the eighth UO president, he faced a rapidly growing enrollment on an under-staffed and under-built campus. Student housing was inadequate to meet the 81 percent enrollment increase from 1945 to 1946, and long-time faculty members were reaching retirement age. Convincing the legislature to allow salary increases, he enabled the UO to compete for and attract more highly qualified professors. The classroom, office, and housing shortages were met with a variety of responses, some temporary, such as Quonset huts used as classrooms, and others more permanent, such as the building of Emerald Hall and the establishment of single and married students housing. During President Newburn's tenure, the number of graduate degrees earned also increased dramatically." ~ University of Oregon  

Newburn had a good, solid career at U of O. I found this little vignette about his sense of humor (very academic, that humor): 

"The university's eighth president, Harry K. Newburn, was not without a sense of humor. In a series of letters sent during Oct. 1949, professor Eldon Johnson submitted to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts an emergency request for the creation of the class "Pipe Smoking." President Newburn responded that while the course "passes through all sixteen committees," he could not submit the request for the course to the State Board of Higher Education. He did, however, recommend the book reading list be made available in the browsing library, and that there should be lectures on the subject." ~ Oregon.edu

He held the position at Oregon until 1953, when he resigned to take a position as president with the Ford Foundation's Educational Television Foundation and taught at Arizona State University. 

In 1959, Harry took a position as president of the Montana University. This was his most challenging and clearly most frustrating professional challenge to date. Montana University, formerly known as Montana State University, had many presidents prior to Newburn coming on board. Tenures were relatively short. Newburn was known for wanting to ensure the university could attract brilliant teaching minds and wanted the salaries that would attract those types of educators. The Board of Regents did not feel that was a priority. When Newburn resigned in 1963, Time Magazine described MU as a "graveyard of presidents." Though Newburn did not publicly state why he departed, it was widely believe his growing frustration with the Regents on a number of important issues and financial support were to blame.

Off he went in 1963 to his new position as professor of education and as director of the ASU Center for Higher Education. He took the position as president of Cleveland State University from 1965-1966, returning to ASU as Dean of the College of Education and in 1969, he became president of ASU until 1971. Harry's last position was as president of Cleveland State University from 1971-1973. In 1973, he retired to his home in Arizona.

Harry had a heart attack in 1974 and was taken to Desert Samaritan Hospital, where he died four days later, on Aug 25, 1974. He was 68.

As I was reading about Harry, I noted how important the role of the wife of the president plays in the career of the president (during that time, only men were named president, so no politically incorrect terminology is intended). Wanda was a great partner and did all the right things as she raised her own three children and provided important support to Harry. I found this great article about their arrival to University of Oregon and the coverage she herself received. 

Clan William: Clifford Benjamin Paul, Chauffeur to Katherine Butterworth

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson > Susanna Munson > Calvin Munson Newburn > Anna Newburn > Clifford Benjamin Paul

Traveling the Calvin Munson route. He was brother to my 4GG, Freeman Munson. Several generations down, lies Clifford Benjamin Paul, noted photographer and chauffeur to Katherine Butterworth, daughter of Charles Deere, son of John Deere. Yes, John Deere, of John Deere Tractor Co.

Clifford was born 14 Feb 1892 in Canton, Illinois. He married Hulda Holm on 17 Jul 1916 in Moline, Illinois, where they resided. They had two children, Ethel Paul Armstrong and Maj Robert Lorin Paul. 

Clifford was a noted photographer, who participated heavily in the art world in Moline and exhibited and sold his works for decades. 

Now, we switch gears to John Deere, a young man who was struggling in his native Vermont, and relocated in 1836 to Illinois to find his way. His blacksmithing skills were much needed and he thrived. According to John Deere history, the settlers in Illinois found "breaking" land an arduous task. He developed a new kind of plow capable of the tough task. He was able to make 100 plows a year by 1841, and in 1843, he partnered with a fellow to produce more plows. That partnership ended in 1848 and that's when he relocated to Moline, Illinois for its water, coal and cheaper transportation. A legend was born as were several new tools for agriculture.

His son Charles Deere took over the operations of the family business and took over as President and Chairman after John Deere's death. Charles and his wife had two daughters, Katherine and Anna. 

Charles built homes for both and both were located on Millionaire's Row. Anna went on to marry William Wiman, son of a successful NYC business man and who was in his own right, quite a catch. He was formerly an electrical engineer who was previously an apprentice to Thomas Edison and later worked for John Deere Co. Their son Charles would later become president of John Deere and son Dwight Deere Wiman would become a silent movie actor, playwright, and theater producer.

Katherine married William Butterworth, son of a former US Congressman, and an attorney and businessman. Butterworth would become President of John Deere after the death of Katherine's father, Charles. They would have no children, but were philanthropic to their community. Under Butterworth's watch, the business expanded with the purchase of The Waterloo Gasoline Engine Works, which included it's Waterloo Boy Tractor in 1918. This greatly expanded Deere's business and contributed to the growth and prosperity of Waterloo, Iowa (I live in Cedar Falls, an adjoining town - and while growing up just about everybody's dad I knew either worked for Deere or worked for a company that did something for Deere).

The couples would spend their winters in Santa Barbara, California, but return to Illinois for the summers. The Butterworth home in Santa Barbara is considered one of the most beautiful of the old homes still in existence there. Personal employees would make the trek with them each season. Among those was Clifford Paul. 

Hillcrest, the Butterworth Residence

The Butterworths were well-known for taking good care of their servants. The former residence is now an arts and education center. 

The servant's entrance at Hillcrest

For 39 years, his "day job" was as chauffeur to Katherine Deere Butterworth. William Butterworth died in 1936.  She left an estate of over $6 million at her death in 1953.

Paul retired after Katherine's death and lived his last years in Santa Barbara, dying there 12 May 1960.

Hillcrest's carriage house - once home to the Butterworth's horse and carriages and later
home to its automobiles. It is now the education building at the Butterworth Center

Clifford Paul's obituary:

Clan William: Charles Munson's Civil War Death

Don't believe everything you read; even on occasion, the Munson Family Record. That's what I learned today.

I'm still following the trail of my "outer" Munson cousins - the families of the brothers and sisters of my 4th great grandfather, Freeman Munson, born in Connecticut, died in Trumbull County, Ohio.

Today's story is about young Charles Munson, born about 1836 in Trumbull County to Randil Munson and Lucinda Loveless. Randil is the twin of Rilman Munson, sons of Calvin Munson, 4GG Freeman's oldest brother.

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson > Randil Munson > Charles Munson

The children of Randil were of an age to participate in the Civil War. Charles appears to be fourth child of six. He married Susan Fenstermaker in 1861 (Charles' younger brother Abner married Susan's sister, Sarah). Not much is known about him until he joined up with the 2nd Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Cavalry.

Capt Wm Quantrill

Unlike many Civil War units, the 2nd Regiment, Company D, spent much of its time in 1862-1864 serving on the frontier of Kansas, Arkansas, and Missouri with forays east into Tennessee and elsewhere. And, unfortunately, this was a very dangerous place to serve. The unit would go on, a full year after the death of Charles Munson, to take heavy losses at the hands of Quantrill's Raiders along the Missouri/Kansas border.

William Quantrill, former schoolteacher turned guerilla fighter and hired gun for the Confederacy, had been an destructive and horrific presence in the territory for some time. Among his troops were the later historic robbers, the Younger and James Brothers, who would use the tactics they learned with Quantrill to their illicit robbery careers. 

This has nothing to do with the story of Charles Munson, however, despite what we learn from the Munson Family History. That reference reads: 

"Charles: b. i May 1836 ; m. 14 Sept. 1861 Susan Fenstermaker, now deceased ; no ch.; he was a cavalryman in the late War, losing his life in the service. " My brother Charles enlisted in August1862 at Bristolville, Trumbull Co., O., where he then lived, and was a private under Capt. Caldwell in Co. D, 2nd Ohio Cavalry. He served one year ; then died, August 1863, at Baxter Springs, Indian Terr. His regiment, under Col. Doubleday, was in several skirmishes." 

The mention of Baxter Springs would lead one to believe he may have died in the Baxter Springs Massacre, at the hands of Quantrill's Raiders.  But, this battle did not occur until October of 1863, long after Charles' death. So, we have a little mash-mash of bad memory published in the The Munson Record, Vol I. If he was in the Army for a year, that would mean he entered in 1861, not Aug 1862. Both the newspaper mention and the Roster of Ohio Soldiers and his obituary say he died not in 1863 and not at Baxter Springs.

Click to enlarge
Charles Munson Roster of Ohio Soldier Vol XI

In the Roster of Ohio Soldiers, Vol XI, Charles Munson's date of death is indicated as Aug 3, 1862. It also states he died near Spring River, Indian Territories. That is what is now northwest Arkansas. And, he died not in battle, but of "brain fever." Charles is no less heroic for dying of illness and not injury, as more people died of infection and illness in the Civil War than in battle. 

Of Charles Munson, there are two newspaper references after his death. 

Charles Munson Obit
Western Reserve Chronicle, Warren, OH, Oct 15, 1862

This one was on the occasion where the citizens of Bristol, Trumbull County, raised $500 in subscription to pay for a 10-foot tall monument honoring the deaths of Bristol's heroes. It was the first Civil War Monument of its kind in Ohio. The full article can be found on Charles' profile on my Ancestry.com tree. This is an abbreviated report of the monument.

Charles Munson: Civil War Monument, 1863
Bristol, Trumbull County, Ohio
Western Reserve Chronicle, Warren, Oh, Oct 21, 1863

Civil War Memorial 1861-1863 located in Bristolville, Ohio

Click to increase size. Charles Munson referenced bottom left.

 

Clan William: A Legacy of Tragedy

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson > Randil Munson > Harlow B Munson > C Jenet Munson > Caroline Richey > Howard Clinton Bruce > Anthony Todd

I've been digging into the "outer" Munsons of Trumbull County, Ohio - the brothers and sisters of my 4th GG Freeman Munson. I'm working on Randil Munson now.  He was the son of Calvin, Freeman's older brother. 

Deep down in the tree, many generations later, Caroline "Carrie" Mirth Ritchey and her husband Robert Bruce. They adopted a boy they named Howard Clinton Bruce. Howard had, with his first wife, Helen Rose Tiernan, one daughter - Mary Ellen Bruce. Mary Ellen married a gent name William "Billy Jo" Wadsley. The marriage seems to have lasted just long enough to produce three sons: Anthony "Tony," Todd, and one child who is still living.

What struck me about this tragic story is the moment I read about young Todd's accidental and tragic death at age 9, and the cause, I knew there was going to be a trail of tears to follow. 

It appears that Mary Ellen was out of the house, leaving the two boys who were living with her, at home. Not an uncommon thing to do with boys of 12 and 9 when I was growing up. Unfortunately, the boys found a .22 rifle upstairs and young Tony accidentally discharged the weapon, killing his younger brother, Todd. It was ruled an accident. Like so many unnecessary accidents before.

What we understand about such things now, is they have a deep and lasting impact on everyone involved. Who knows if Tony got the psychological help he needed after this very traumatic event. What we can ascertain from the newspaper reports is he had a long history of substance abuse, had lost his license, continued to drink, had an accident that thankfully killed no one else, and died suddenly and alone still going the wrong way down the road, trying to escape his pain at the age of 30.

A mother had now lost two sons. But, then, she'd most likely lost them both that same day in 1971.

Clan William: William Calvin Munson

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson > Rilman Munson > William Calvin Munson m Eleanor Jane Mackey 

We talked a bit about Calvin here. Calvin purchased 146 acres of unimproved land in Trumbull County and through some sort of measuring error, he both built his small cabin home and improved property that was not part of the land he owned! This put him a bit behind, but he worked diligently to clear his own land, where he then farmed. He also built a the first sawmill in the township of Vienna. (Another report says Calvin purchased 154 acres)

Early steam powered saw mill

Rilman Munson was the second son of Calvin Munson.  Rilman, born 25 Jun 1799 in Waterbury, Connecticut, moved with his family to Trumbull County in 1804/05 with his family. He and his brother Randal split the land of his father after his death, Rilman taking the eastern half. Rilman married German immigrant Elizabeth Sowers on 06 Apr 1825. The couple had only one child who survived, William Calvin Munson.

W. C. Munson was born 06 Oct 1826 in Vienna Township, Trumbull County. W. C. attended school at Methodist Corners, about two miles from the farm, until another schoolhouse was built closer to the homeplace. After school, he became a stone mason and he and his father partnered in a new mill which they operated for three years when W. C. was about 17 years old.  In 1845, W. C. erected his own mill on his land which he operated until about 1864, when he put up a steam mill on a new 234-acre piece of land he purchased that year. In 1851, he married Eleanor Jane Mackey. She died on 20 Jul 1884 after giving birth to at least six children.

W. C. registered for the draft, but did not serve:

"At the date of the Civil War, Mr Munson had raised a company of troops to enter the Union cause, but on account of his parents was compelled to remain at home. He was personally acquainted with the late President William McKinley, as he was also with his venerable father, William McKinley, Sr." A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests; by Upton, Harriet Taylor; Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago (Ill.), Published 1909

W. C. operated his mill and farm until about 1900. Along the way, he specialized in raising quality Holstein cattle. After he retired, son John William took over the mill and Jesse ran the farm. Son Willis J. was a volunteer fireman and also a salesman. At the time of his death, he sold Studebaker wagons. Daughters Jane and Lavinia married and raised their families. 

W. C. died 10 Jan 1909. Sadly, oldest son John died a mere four days after his father, on 14 Jan 1909.

Clan William: McAdams Murder of 1913

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson > Susannah Munson > Josephine Amanda Newburn > Jacob Frank "Frank"  McAdams m Fannie Manion 

Jacob Frank McAdams & Fannie Manion

Jealousy can be a big problem in personal relationships. In the case of Jacob Frank McAdams, his jealousy drove him to the ultimate horror - murder and suicide.

Frank was one of two sons and one of six children of John Lafayette McAdams and Josephine Amanda Newburn. He was born 17 Dec 1879 in Illinois. The family settled in the Cuba area of Fulton County, Illinois. He married in about 1898 to Fannie Manion, daughter of Martin and Louisa Manion. Fannie was born 08 Feb 1880 in Illinois.

They quickly had four children: Vera M, Ray Scott, John Martin, and the baby, Mary Ruth, was born in 1909. In 1900, Frank was coal mining (Fulton County was rife with mines). In 1910, he was a contract carpenter. The couple separated some time prior to 1913.

The best way to tell the story of what happened the fateful night when the entire family's life changed, is to just set it up. Picture it, the town is having a festival on 27 Nov 1913, and there is a dance going on. Fannie is sitting at the dance and has her baby Mary Ruth on her lap. Her angry husband comes roaring in, races up to her and shoots her three times, killing her instantly. Her baby was uninjured. The horror did not end then, but the next day,  when Frank met his end as well. He most likely knew there was no coming back from what he had done.

Interestingly, on the funeral day, the sun shone for Fannie and it poured for Frank's.

I don't know where the two boys and Vera went after their parents' death, but little Mary Ruth went to her aunt and uncle William and Minnie Evans. By 1920, the boys were both working as a hired hands at two different Churchill family farms.

Clan William: Calvin Munson and Family

Capt Thomas Munson > Samuel Munson > Samuel James Munson > William Munson > Samuel II Munson > Calvin Munson

Trumbull County 1856 - These townships are where
most of our ancestors settled

You can read a little about Samuel Munson here on my cousin's blog. He was referred to as Samuel Munson 2nd because there are so darned many Samuels. His grandfather and great grandfather were leaders in their community and quite accomplished. Samuel 2nd was the first of the clan to head west to Ohio to settle in the Trumbull County area in September 1804. Many of the earliest settlers fit into our family tree. His wife, Susanna Tyler and he were married about 1764 in Wallingford, New Haven, Connecticut. They had at least 8 children, among them, my 4th great grandfather, Freeman Munson.

They were some of the very earliest settlers in the area. The couple purchased land in Vienna Township on 12 May 1804 "Samuel Munson buys 154 acres from the east end of Lot #5 for $438.90," (this included Brookfield Township until 1811),(Another report has 146 acres having been purchased).

Freeman's brother Calvin was, according to family records, born on 04 May 1770 (one report has 1769) in Wallingford. He married Sarah "Sally" Hungerford on 27 Nov 1794 in Waterbury. She was the daughter of Rosannah Williams and Revolutionary War soldier David Wallingford. David died while a POW in NYC in 1777. Calvin and Sally had at least five children: Randal, Rilman, Lucy, Deidamia, and Susanna.

In 1793, a year before he married, Isaac Benham sold him 13 acres of land in Waterbury, CT, "to be taken off from the north end of my land near Samuel Munson's House." He paid 27 Pounds for the land. He took the freeman's oath at Waterbury 20 Sep 1802. He sold the land on his departure to Ohio.

John Bull represented England as Uncle Sam later
represented the US. Columbia takes that role here.

 Calvin always farmed once he arrived in Ohio. He also served as a tanner and shoemaker. The War of 1812 interrupted his peaceful, hard-working life, and he was called to serve as a private in Captain Jedediah Burnham's Company from August to mid-November of 1812 and Jan-Feb of 1813.

He returned to farm and remained doing so until the end of his life, when he moved "into town." Along the way, he was involved in creating the first rural school in Vienna township, which was originally called "The Munson School," but later was dubbed "The Carey School," after the Carey family who lived nearby. The school burned to the ground in the 1920s.

Once he had retired to town, his sons Randal and Rilman took over the family farm, splitting it with Randal getting the west side of the farm and Rilman the east. All of his children married and had children. I will take us down their paths at a later time. Sally died 06 Feb 1844 and Calvin 02 Sep 1846, both in Vienna Township.