I'm Barbara Anne Ribling, daughter of Mildred, granddaughter of Miss Alma and a great-granddaughter of Grandma Hudson. I have created these pages in order to share what seems to be a wealth of family information that has been collected since the 1930s. Some of the photos date from even earlier days. Many of the news clippings concern families other than my own and I have presented them on these pages in hopes that they will be of interest to others.
An Olio is a medley. Many variety shows and musicals have ended with an Olio and so this seems to be a good title for this page. This page includes some clippings and photos that didn't fit the themes of the other pages. The Ribling family of Pennsylvania and Illinois are my paternal ancestors. You will read about them here and see some photos of them. My Father's ancestors immigrated from Germany in the 1850s and settled in Pennsylvania. At least one Ribling fought in the Civil War. I have very little information on this family and would like to learn more about them.
This page also includes some "mystery" photos. If you recognize the people in these photos, I would love to hear from you. Please write to me at: bribling@mail.datasys.net
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Here is a letter that was written to the the newspaper in Walker Co., GA. A photo of William C. Bayless and some of his family can be seen in Alma's Album. The photo was made about 1911, probably in Datura, TX. In 1890, Arthur Bayless, William's oldest son, settled near Coolidge, TX, and started the town of Datura. Arthur was the first postmaster in Datura. Arthur's wife Minnie is said to have named the town after the Datura flower. William and his wife Harriet had a home in Datura for many years. Arthur later became the school superintendant in Malone, TX.
Walker County Messenger, April 16, 1891
TEJUACANA, TX: As I am in Texas I delight to hear from Walker, as it was my home for twenty-four years. I left there Jan. 17,1891. I have come here to try my luck. I am in Limestone county. There is some fine land here. It is black sand through this section but not far away it is black lime. I did not find it as I thought I would. As to water on the sandy land, there are plenty of good wells of clear water. As to stock, there is some fine horse stock here. Nothing like the ponies that have been brought into that county. There are also lots of cattle here. As to farming tools, they are here of all sorts. Fruit is grown here, and fine at that. They go at farming on the big scale. One man will cultivate fifty acres with a cultivator, one man can plow as much as four can there. He will plow one team, each one doing a much as two can in Georgia, or at least in Walker. But while there are some good things here there are some bad. Some places there is no wood, and many places no water that is good, but that is on the black land. As to wind, it surely blows, and it is forever changing. One night at bed time hot, by day cold enough to freeze, with the wind coming out of the north at the rate of thirty miles an hour. It will pick up the shanties and shake them like the 'possum dog will shake his possum', and it will do a man the same way if he will give it a chance. I have been reading the Messenger since I have been here, as my neighbor, Mr. Suttle, takes it, and it is the joy of us all. It is like being among my old friends. I love to hear from all the corresponding friends of Walker. They come to me like letters from home. I would say howdy to all. Please write to the paper from all parts of the county. I want to subscribe for the paper, so as to hear from you all regular. As to health, the people here look healthy and stout I live near a Presbyterian college. It is fine building. They have a fine school, with two hundred and fifty students. It is one of the finest in all Texas. The Indian name is Tejuacana, which means grand sight. I am sorry for Mr. Andy Fricks and Avery Camp. Hope they may find friends to help them in their trouble. It is hard to be left with little children and no mother. Well, Brother Tom Cooper, I would love to talk with you some, also Brother Trotter, also brethren from Center Point, Prospect, Crawfish, Woodstastion and Antioch. My mind is often back there with you all. I would like to step in among the brethren and sisters at Prospect. Wm. C. Bayless
Mildred Bayless and Lester Ribling (at left) on their honeymoon at Lester's home in Beardstown, IL, 1942. Lester's parents Georgette Peterson and John Earl Ribling are on the right. The unidentified woman and child were family friends.
From an unnamed PA newspaper, probably Johnstown, Tues., Jan.22, 1946:
Mr. and Mrs. George Ribling of 614 Robb Ave. are quietly celebrating their 62nd wedding anniversary today at their home. George Ribling, now 80, and his wife, the former Annie Thomas, who will be 79 years old on St. Valentine's Day, were married at the Lutheran Church in Houtzdale on Jan. 22, 1884. The couple are members of the Baptist Church here.
Mr. Ribling formerly was engaged in the furniture business and as an undertaker in Windber for a number of years.
They are the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living - Charles, George, Harry and Gladys, all of Johnstown; John, Beardstown, Ill.; Mrs. James Gatehouse, Hornerstown, and Mrs. Roy Rager, Conemaugh. A son, Ray, died last February.
NOTE: The above photo is not the one that appeared in the paper. Their son John was my grandfather. If you have further information on this family and their ancestors or descendants, I would like to hear from you.
This unidentified young man is believed to be my Grandmother Ribling's brother. If so, his name would be Peterson. Grandmother was active in the Salvation Army. This young man may have lived in Minnesota or Illinois. Do you recognize him? The photo was made in Beardstown, IL. Grandmother was born Georgette Lydia Peterson in Stillwater, Washington Co., MN.
Elson G. Bennett and Louisa Neal. They married in Dade Co., MO, and then were among the pioneers of Limestone Co., TX.
Louisa Neal Bennett
Dr. J.W. Davenport and wife Mary Wise of Oklahoma. The Doctor and Mary were originally from Alabama. Little is known of them. They are known to have had at least two children, Erskin and Gussie. They lived near Ada, OK.
