The Eller Chronicles


Vol. V NO 4.THE ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATIONNOV 1991



 

CONTENTS

THE JAMES W. HOOK AWARD 207
LETTER FROM MADELINE E. FLETCHERp. 208
A MESSAGE FROM EFA PRESIDENT BILL ELLERp. 209-212
MINUTES OF THE BIENNIAL ELLER FAMILY CONFERENCE, 1991p. 213-214
PRELIMINARY ACCOUNTING REPORT, 1991 CONFERENCEp. 215
LETTER FROM VICE-PRESIDENT CHARLOTTE ELLER MARSHALLp. 216
HENRY ELLER/ ELIZABETH BIGLER DESCENDANTS by Clarice Stanleyp. 217-226
RALPH ELLER OBITUARYp. 226
GENEALOGY: TIPS, INFORMATION, QUERIES by J. Gerald Ellerp. 227-229
THE JACOB ELLER PLANTATION by John C. Ellerp. 230-236
ANOTHER REUNION, Another Time - 1925 by Lynn Ellerp. 237-241
BIBLE RECORDS by R. Vance Ellerp. 242
1900 SOUNDEX CENSUS (Corrections, Additions) by Gladys Smolinski..p. 242
ELLER HOUSE DEDICATION at East Carolina Universityp. 243-248
JACOB ELLER, SR. (the immigrant) by J. Gerald Ellerp. 249-254
JACOB ELLER, JR. (John Jacob) by Charlotte Eller Marshallp. 255-258
JOSEPH ELLER (Buncombe Co., NC) by Janine Eller Porterp. 259-263
JAMES BURTON ELLER,JRp. 264-273
EFA MEMBERSHIP LIST, Nov. 1991 by Sec./Treas. Nancy Ellerp. 274-277
EFA CONFERENCE 1991 PICTURESp. 278-291
CAPTIONS FOR PICTURES on pp. 278-291p. 292-295
SPECIAL REMINDERS from President Bill Ellerp. 295
VIDEOTAPE ( 2 Hra. CONF. '91 BANQUET AND GEN. SESSION)p. 295



EDITORIAL COMMENTS


Our thanks to all who contributed to this issue. For the Conference Pictures we are indebted to Bill Eller, Janine Porter, Charlotte Marshall, Marion Godfrey and Joe C. Eller.

All photos taken at Conference must be returned and this prevented us from trimming and crowding several to a page; also, we could not paste captions directly on the pictures so for the section on pictures, pp. 278-291), the captions appear on pp. 292-295.


A new feature, GENEALOGY: TIPS, INFORMATION, QUERIES, initiated in this issue appears on pp. 227-229. While intended primarily for those involved in active genealogy research, information for the non-researcher will also appear from time to time. We invite others to contribute to this endeavor. In fact we hope some member may volunteer to prepare this section. Because the computer is a chief tool of modern genealogical research, we will welcome information and comments on its use. An excellent example of the use of the computer appears in this issue- see the Descendant Charts, pp. 222-226, by Clarice Stanley. We hope readers who are not familiar with this type of chart will make a special effort to understand it because this type of chart has been used in past issues and will appear again.


See the letter on p. 216 from Charlotte Eller Marshall on a fund-raising project for the EFA. Discussions at Conf. '91 on the need to raise more funds for support of other goals of the EFA beyond the publication of the Chronicles has energized several members to make plans for special fundraising efforts in addition to the project announced by Charlotte.


Rumors of other fund-raising projects have reached us. One is an Eller Family Cookbook with each member of the EFA contributing one recipe preferably from a grandparent or parent. Another is an Eller Family Picturebook made up of the oldest pictures in the possession of the EFA members. Watch for details in the February, 1992 Chronicles or a special letter in the mail.

PUBLISHING PROJECTS FOR 1992:

  1. ) 1900 soundex census of Ellers from various states: Data from the remainder of the eastern states have been compiled and will appear in 1992 Chronicles.


  2. ) Eller Data from the IGI (International Genealogical Index): This has been compiled for Germany and other European countries and will continue in 1992. Data for Baden, Germany appeared in Vol. IV:2:72-81.


  3. ) A Chronology of Genealogical Records of the Eller Families of Rowan Co., NC: This project, begun in 1988, is virtually complete. We are undecided on how to publish, as a separate publication as originally conceived, or as serials in the Chronicles.


  4. ) A Civil War Eller Story: THE JAMES ELLER FAMILY AND THE BUSHWHACKERS OF WILKES COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 1864-1865, by Paul E. Hubbell with an introduction by Byron H. Eller. Now scheduled for the February, 1992 issue.


  5. ) ELLERS OF IOWA AND NEBRASKA: The report delivered at Conf.' 91 by Myrrel Baldwin. Scheduled for February, 1992.


  6. 6) Other reports delivered at Conf. '91: Aside from the conference reports in this issue, the only additional report in hand is that of Myrrell Baldwin. Other presenters at the conference are urged to send copies for the 1992 Chronicles.


Other Stories in various stages of preparation:

  1. ) The Richard Eller Cowan Story: The highest military decoration ever received by an Eller descendant insofar as we know, was the Congressional medal of Honor (The Eller Chronicles, Vol. V:3:165-166). The story in in the Chronicles caught the attention of WW-II history buff, EFA member Buddy Lovette of Moravian Falls, NC. Buddy has extensive contacts with WW-IL veteran groups and WW-II historians. He has launched a vigorous effort to compile from all possible sources the story of the place, time, and circumstances of Richard Eller Cowan's last historic battle. Buddy is also investigating the possibility of having a marker placed at the site where Richard met his death in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge.


  2. ) Earl Eller of Asheville, NC: Earl Eller, now deceased, served 18 years, the longest ever, as Mayor of Asheville, NC. Earl, however, is not of the Buncombe Co., NC Jacob Eller, Jr. line. His father removed from Wilkes Co., NC to Tennessee and thence to Buncombe Co., NC c.1905.


  3. ) Rev. Joseph P. Eller Story: A grandson of Jacob Eller/ Mary Biffle, he was a pioneer Methodist minister in Buncombe and Madison Counties, NC in the last half of the 19th century. Olivia Daniels Cunningham, 363 Racquet Club Rd., Asheville, NC 28803, is doing this story. She has recently obtained more than 75 pictures of this family line from an old trunk.


  4. ) Rev. J. Ben Eller Story: A grandson of the Rev. Joseph P. Eller, above, he was a notable Baptist Minister and leader in Virginia and North Carolina. Much information is already in hand but we are still seeking more.


  5. ) Robert W. Eller Story: Son of Jacob Eller, III (NC & MO): Pictures and new data from Mrs. Ora Ewing of Bronough, MO.



We hope others are working on family genealogies and histories for publication in The Eller Chronicles. Please let us know of your plans. We still urge Eller and Eller descendants to send in Family Group Sheet and Ancestral Charts or data in other forms even without accompanying stories.

Editorship of the Eller Chronicles: So far no volunteers have stepped forward to relieve Juanita and me..... ao .... we continue as before until a replacement can be found.

Volunteers for special projects to compile Eller data from various sources: Members who have interest in getting involved in projects, such as the 1900 census soundex compilation, are invited to do so. Let us know of your interest and plans so we can avoid duplication of effort and costs.





JAMES WILLIAM HOOK MEMORIAL AWARD

to
MADELINE FLETCHER


PROCLAMATION


WHEREAS, the ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION seeks through cooperative efforts to research and publish ELLER Family genealogy and family history throughout the world, and

WHEREAS, JAMES WILLIAM HOOK was the first Eller descendant in America to publish results of his extensive research on his ELLER ancestry, and in so doing performed a unique service that not only preserved a great body of ELLER genealogy and family history but laid a sound base on which others might build, and which for us today provides a powerful inspiration and challenge to learn more of ELLERs past and present and insure that future generations shall know the source of their genetic and cultural heritage that came through their ELLER family connection, and

WHEREAS, a member of the ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION spent many years researching and recording ELLER history. During the course of this research, she discovered James William Hook's book "JAMES HOOK AND VIRGINIA ELLER" and wrote to him. Considerable correspondence, enough to fill three 3-ring binders, flowed between the two of them. Mr. Hook was indebted to this lady for all that she contributed to his second book "GEORGE MICHAEL ELLER and DESCENDANTS IN AMERICA"; so are we the richer for having her in THE ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the ELLER FAMILY ASSOCIATION in session this 20th day of July, 1991 in Estes Park, Colorado do herewith honor the memory of JAMES WILLIAM HOOK by presenting the JAMES WILLIAM HOOK MEMORIAL AWARD to MADELINE FLETCHER for her extensive and notable contribution toward preserving ELLER history.



signature
A. William Eller, President
Eller Family Association


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Fort Collins, Colorado
September 1, 1991

Dear Friends and Relatives,

I want to thank all of you for the certainly unanticipated honor of receiving the J. W. Hook Memorial Award. I never imagined such an award being extended to me by the Eller family organization. I truly miss Mr. Hook and our years of fruitful work together. He was a man of great talent, dedication, and generosity. I feel I made such small contributions compared to the extensive work he complied, which will benefit genealogists for years to come.

As I have thought about my pleasure in receiving this award, I can't help but reflect that it really belongs to my mother, Chole Evans. She spent years of her life devoted to genealogical research. We collaborated often, as we worked on the Eller line. She is the one who put in the endless hours of devoted research, who's mind was keen, and who had a brilliant capacity to evaluate her materials so that she could look in the right places. I only wish that she and Mr. Hook could now witness the work and fellowship of this outstanding organization. I feel such a debt of gratitude to both her and Mr. Hook.

This award has had such a special meaning to me, as it comes at a time when health concerns have limited my capacity to pursue many of the doors that Mr. Hook and my mother have opened for us. May the future find our Eller organization continuing the spirit of family cooperation, genealogy, and comradeship. I am excited about what this organization has accomplished and anticipate that many other lives, such as mine, will be touched and motivated by its creation.

Once again I thank you and pray that I will be able to join with you at another stimulating conference in Portland, like the exhilarating one we just enjoyed at Estes Park.



Sincerely,
Signature - Madeline E. Fletcher


NOV '91 CoverPhoto - MADELINE E. FLETCHER

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A MESSAGE FROM YOUR PRESIDENT


The second biennial conference of the Eller Family Association is now history but it will be remembered by many. After the dust settled we had a total of 96 people who traveled to Estes Park in beautiful Colorado from 23 states and Germany.

Many thanks to all of you who attended and helped in so many ways to make this conference so successful. I would very much like to write each and every one of you but I'm sure you recognize that that is not possible. Therefore, accept this message as a personal note.

A very special thanks to Marjorie Godfrey who did a fantastic job as recording secretary. Her work will appear as minutes of the general business meeting of the conference elsewhere in this issue.

A special thanks also to Klaus Napp-Zinn who once again traveled from Get-many to present another very interesting slide show of Eller country in Germany. It was a pleasure also to host him in our home before and after the conference.


The following people attended our Conf. '91. Most were EFA members but we were pleased to have about 24 non-members share the weekend with us.


BALDWIN, C. MyrrelPA
BARKER, MargaretCA
BURGESS, Doris and BillNE
BALL, Joanne (Dau. of Bernice Eller)CO
CLAMP, Mary D. (Eller)CO
CREWDSON, Roma M. (Eller) and Don LCO
DICKEY, Duane EIL
ELLER, Bill and MadelynCO
ELLER, BerniceCO
ELLER, Burton and Dau. KaraVA
ELLER, ByronCA
ELLER, Charles and BarbaraWV
ELLER, David BOH
ELLER, Douglas and BeverlyCO
ELLER, Dwight and PatriciaAZ
ELLER, Gerald and DonaldNE
ELLER, Gertrude J. (Mother of Christine Eller Walker)NC
ELLER, J. Gerald and JuanitaNC
ELLER, Joe CTX
ELLER, John C. and LeonaFL
ELLER, JoyKS
ELLER, LynnGA
ELLER, Marvin and HelenCA
ELLER, Richard ECO
ELLER, Robert and Dora JaneMO
ELLER, Roger and JuliaNC
ELLER, Thomas and Connie and (Dau.) SusanIA
ELLER, Vernard and PhyllisCA
ELLER, Walton and NancyTX
EVANS, Calvin and AnnAZ
EVANS, Helen (Sister of Madeline Fletcher) CA
FLETCHER, Madeline and HerbertCO
FLETCHER, Mary (Mrs. Gary)CO
FRALIN, Janice (Eller)CO
FROST, LucileNE
GILSTRAP, RowenaNM
GODFREY, Marjorie and MarionNC
GREEN , Winnie Mae (Eller)OK
HAUSLEY, BlancheCO
HUFFINE, MarjorieMT
HUFFINE, JaneMY
JANSSEN, Mary Jo and WallyNE
JARBOE, Russell and VelvynKS
JAMES, HazelTX
KORTE, Solveig and Leon and Dau. Kirsten & KendraNE
MARSHALL, Charlotte (Eller)OR
MINTON, Velma (Eller)TX
MINTON, Faye (EllerTX
MOUER, Jean (Eller) Sister to Bill EllerAZ
NAPP-ZINN, KlausGermany.
OWEN, Kathryn??
OHARA, Mabel (Eller)AZ
PELTZMAN, Karen??
PORTER, Janine (Eller)ID
RENWICK, LeethaCA
SMITH, Roberta (Dau. of Bernice Eller)CO
SPERATI. Eloise and CarletonWV
STANLEY, Clarice and JohnOH
STOLTZ, BethelKS
VAUGHN, Dorothy and SidneyAR
WATSON, San DeeCO
WALKER, Bill and Christine (Eller) and son GlennNC
WRIGHT, Lena and Charles WrightMT

(If you note an omission or error kindly advise me)

We were favored with a number of presentations throughout the 3-day conference by the following people:
Myrrel Baldwin
Byron H. Eller
John C. Eller
Bill Eller
Joe C. Eller
J. Gerald Eller
Walton Eller
Winnie Mae Green
Klaus Napp-Zinn
Charlotte Eller Marshall
Janine Eller Porter
Roberta Smith
Clarice Stanley


EFA member Buddy Lovette of Moravian Falls, N.C. was not able to attend this conference but he did send his video tapes on Elletcountry in N.C. which were enjoyed by an audience of nore than 40 people on Saturday afternoon.

We are especially indebted to Marion Godfrey and Walton Eller fot- videotaping all general sessions of the conference. Their video tapes are expected to be available for purchase. Look for announcements in this and later issues of the Chronicles. Gerald reports he has seen Marion God4rey's tape of the banquet and labels it as excellent in both picture and sound quality.

Allow me to introduce your new officers and Board of Directors. An election, chaired by Joe C. Eller of Houston, TX, was held Friday afternoon at the business meeting. The following were -210-

elected unanimously:
PRESIDENT- A. William Eller (for second term)
VICE-PRESIDENT- Charlotte Eller Marshall (Charlotte resigned as Sec./Treas. to run for VP & as such, will host Conf. '93 in the northwest
SECY/TREAS.- Nancy G. Eller, hailing from Crowley, TX. She is the wife of Walton G. Eller. Both are charter members.
BOARD MEMBERS: - (For a second term) (Newly elected)
Byron H. Eller - CABethel Stolte - KS
Lowell Eller - VAWalton G. Eller - TX
R. Vance Eller - NC


The banquet, held Saturday evening, was highlighted by two special events, the presentation of awards and some delightful entertainment.

AWARDS

MADELINE FLETCHER - THE 1991 J. W. HOOK AWARD

J. GERALD ELLER - The 1991 Special EFA Service Award

C. MYRREL BALDWIN - for his gracious help to me in mailing out the Reprint book.

BYRON H. ELLER - for continuing his researching, compiling, and sharing of information on Ellers in the Civil War.

JUANITA F. ELLER - for her role as co-editor of the Eller Chronicles (she is wife of J. Gerald Eller) but especially for her handsome blue and silver ELLER banner which she made and first displayed at Estes Park.

LYNN ELLER - for conceiving the entertainment for the banquet and gathering (enlisting?) the following talent:
-SAN DEE WATSON from Colorado who helped Lynn put it all together; SOLVEIG KORTE and her daughters, KIRSTEN & KENDRA; CARLTON SPERATI; and KLAUSS NAPP-ZINN.


BETHEL STOLTE - for her exceptional effort of putting together the EFA Conf. '89 scrapbook, which was on display and for the beautiful banquet table decorations that she and some very special friends of hers in Kansas hand made. They were given out as table prizes.

MARY ELLER - accepted by her son, Richard E. Eller, an EFA member, for her true labor of love in researching and compiling the family histories of her family and the family of her husband, Denver Eller, resulting in her book ELLER-COCHRAN, reviewed by Bill Eller in Vol. IV No.4 pp. 199-207.


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ENTERTAINMENT

A highlight of the conference banquet Saturday night was the entertainment. Lynn Eller did a superb job of organizing it and participating as well. He was assisted by a very talented San Dee Watson of Aurora, Colorado. She not only played background piano music during the banquet but she accompanied the delightful family of Carleton Sperati, (Flautist), his daughter, Solveig Korte and her daughters, Kirsten and Kendra. The two girls ages 8 and 10 sang several numbers from "Annie". San Dee, herself, delighted the audience with a selection as a coloratura sophrano. To the delight of all of us, Solveig and Klauss Napp-Zinn sang a duet in German. All in all it was a very delightful evening and a pleasant ending to our conference.

I will offer more about the conference and about future plans as a result of the Board of Director's meeting and the general business meeting in the February issue.

Lastly, I must apologize for not being able to accomplish any EFA business until after the first of the year. Following the conference, Madelyn and I loaded up the van and headed for the west coast, where we first visited our family of five in Victoria, B.C. and then to Woodacre, CA where we immediately began an extensive remodeling and reconstruction of our son's home. We will not be back in Colorado until after Thanksgiving and it'll take some time to catch up on all our personal backlog and committments including several trips, one to Nebraska and one to Arizona.

Sincerely,

A. Wm. "Bill" Eller,
President

Bill Eller PRESIDENT A. WM. ELLER CALLES ELLER FAMILY CONFERENCE '91 TO ORDER




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