Lybarger Linkages Newsletter
Fall, 1997 . . . . . Vol. XIII No.
2 . . . . . ISSN 0887-9354
Official Newsletter of the Lybarger Memorial Association
LYBARGER BOOK IS LAUNCHED
The Lybarger Descendants has been officially launched. It was introduced for formal approval at the annual meeting of the Lybarger Memorial Association on July 19th in Madley,. Pa. The membership enthusiastically approved it and agreed to pay for printing 400 copies. The 773 page book has 18,141 names and 3,317 different surnames. It even includes colored photographs of the historic Lybarger Lutheran Church and the Lybarger American Revolutionary War graves.
The story on the official launching of The Lybarger Descendants was carried in -The Bedford Gazette", (PA), "The Mt. Vernon News" '. (OH), the "Battle Creek Enquirer" (MI), The News Journal, Mansfield, Ohio, "The Delaware Gazette" (OH), and in the "Perry County Tribune", New Lexington, OH.
ANNUAL MEETING AND REUNION
The annual meeting of the Lybarger Memorial Association and reunion was an historic occasion for it officially launched The Lybarger Descendants by John L and Lee H. Lybarger (see earlier story). At the meeting the Distinguished Service Award was presented to three grandchildren of Lee Francis Lybarger - Nina Frances Zlock, William Meredith Lybarger, and John Marion Lybarger. It was their first experience of the LMA meeting and reunion at Madley, PA. The biographical sketch of Lee Francis Lybarger Sr. is found on page 5.
Almost 50 adults attended the annual meeting on Saturday and/or the memorial service and potluck reunion on Sunday with folks coming not only from Pennsylvania but also from Ohio, Indiana. Illinois, Michigan, Virginia, and Maryland.
Genevieve Smalling presented the treasurer's report. The fiscal year began with an balance of $4,429. By the course end of the year, June 30, 1997, the LMA took in $1,500 in dues and $3,003 mostly for pre-publication orders for the new Lybarger histories. Expenses came to $2,322 most of which were for two issues of the newsletter ($1,266) and book preparation costs ($680). That left a balance of $7,181 at the start of the new fiscal year July 1, 1997. Genevieve took in $783 at the annual meeting for dues and orders for the book. Thus, there were adequate funds to pay for the printing of 400 copies of the books at about $7,200. Dues and the sale of the books have already begun to replenish the treasury. By the end of September 30 the treasury was up to $3,386 and climbing.
LYBARGER BOOK GOING FAST
As of October 15th 215 of the new Lybarger history books have been sold or donated to libraries. If you want to buy a book do not delay in sending in your order especially if it is intended as a Christmas gift. Once the initial printing is exhausted they may or may not be reprinted depending on the demand. The cost of reprinting will increase as the initial run was done by a special one time arrangement with Office Max.
The Lybarger Descendants is not without errors. On pg. 17, parag. 3, line 10,. " 1939" should be " 1739". On pg. 23 in the third paragraph, third line it states that Brenschelbach no longer exists. This is not correct. This town may be found on detailed maps of Germany. Brenschelbach and Hornbach (where our immigrant ancestor was married) are not far from each other as both villages are on the border with France a little below Zweibrucken in the southern part of Germany. If you spot any errors in names, dates, places, biographical data, please note them by the name, lineage (assigned) number, and the page in the book. Send corrections including documented proof insofar as is known, to John L. Lybarger, 2205 Cloverdale Dr., Mansfield, OH 44903, He can also be e-mailed at
jlybarger.neo.rr.com . A revised edition of the book is envisioned based on the extent of new information and the number of corrections.
LYBARGER COUSINS REUNION
Elaine Lybarger of Shelby, Oh and president of the Lybarger Cousins' Reunion, reported on the Lybarger reunion held on June 29th at the home of Clara Estella Lybarger Bosko in Mansfield., OH. This was a reunion of those who are descendants of Andrew, Valentine, Oliver, Barbara, Lydia, Esther, Harrison, and Daniel Lybarger, all children of Lewis and Margaret Lybarger. A special feature came when everyone told how they are descended from these ancestors.
Twenty persons attended ranging in age from 1 to 74. They were mostly from the adjoining Ohio counties of Richland, Ashland, Huron, or Knox. The Lybarger Cousins Reunion began 40 years ago and then was not held for several years until 15 years ago when some of the younger generation expressed an interest in knowing who their relatives were.
NEBRASKA LYBARGER REUNION
The Nebraska Lybargers held another of their every-other-year reunions on Sept. 28 at the Community Hall in Arcadia. It began when Farron Henry Lybarger (1868-1940) and Jessie Mable Barr (1883-1960) brought their 10 adult children and their families together for reunions. Jerry, son of Edward Martin Lybarger, and his wife Catherine Arm Hasbrouck, act as hosts for the reunions of this large extended family.
This year 48 adults attended including Claris and Shirley Lybarger, Livingstone, TX, Jack and Nancy Lybarger, Johnstown, PA, Genevieve Smalling, Macomb, IL., Roy and Arlene Lybarger, Oakland, IA, and Gerald and Verla Barr from Oregon. The oldest relative attending was Raymond Barr from Ravena, NE.
The reunion began with many relations attending worship services at the Arcadia Methodist Church. Festivities at the Community Hall got under way with coffee and donuts. The big feast was a noontime potluck dinner.
Jack and Genevieve, in their capacity as trustees, brought greetings from the Lybarger Memorial Association. Jack presented the painted tapestry of the names of the Lybarger ancestors who served in the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War and World War I. He also reported that special funds would be needed for repairs to the roof of the Lybarger Church at Madley, PA which is owned by the LMA Genevieve made a treasurer's report. Several Lybargers brought their Lybarger history books with them. This stimulated orders for more copies .
The next reunion will be held at the Community Hall in Arcadia, NE on the last Sunday of September, 1999. ALL Lybargers are welcome and are urged to come. You do not have to be a descendant of Farron Lybarger.
TIM LYBERGER & SALLY LLOYD MARRIED
The LMA is happy to announce that Tim Lyberger, son of Bill Lyberger, married Sally Lloyd, daughter of the late Roger and Dorthy Lloyd. The marriage took place at Galilee United Methodist Church in Sterling, VA. on July 26, 1997. Sally's oldest daughter, Dawn Draper, from a previous marriage was her maid of honor and her brother Roger gave her away. Tim's father was his best man. The couple are residing in Ashburn, VA. They attended the LMA annual meeting and reunion just a week before they were married!
POLLY S. LYBERGER 1923-1997
On Sun. March 9, 1997 Polly Anne Snodgrass died in Falls Church, VA. Born in Bristol, VA on May 5, 1923, she married William Robert Lyberger on Jan. 16, 1970. Polly, with her husband, attended the annual meetings of the LMA and would camp at the Lybarger Picnic Grove at Madley. Bill continues to serve as a trustee of the LMA. Polly is the daughter of Samuel V. Snodgrass. She is survived by her sister Catherine E. Snodgrass, six children from a previous marriage, by three stepchildren, Ardith Joanne Lyberger, Arden Russell Lyberger, and Timothy Blaine Lyberger, and by 19 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.
VIRGINIA L. PATTERSON 1928-1997
Virginia Dowler Lybarger Patterson died in Canton, Ohio on Sat. May 19,1997. Born. in Cleveland, Ohio on May 6, 1928, she was the daughter of Cornelia Marjorie Hartshorne and Donald Fisher Lybarger. She married James Robert Patterson on June 14, 1952 who died on April 21, 1989. Virginia received her BA degree from the College of Wooster (Ohio) in 1950. She earned teaching certificates in special education from Akron University in 1975. Later she attended Methodist seminaries in Washington, D.C. and Delaware, Oh, but was unable to finish owing to a physical disability. She was an active member of the United Methodist Church in New Philadelphia, OH and a member of the Lybarger Memorial Association. She is survived by her 4 children, Marjorie Sharpe, Robert Patterson, Jeanne Patterson, and Cornelia Thomas, and 5 grandchildren. She is also survived an older sister, Cornelia Lybarger Neuswanger, and by two younger brothers, Lee and Leonard Lybarger.
CORRECTION
The Spring newsletter incorrectly reported the membership listing of "Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Corley" should have read Stanley and Cora Louise Corley".
PERSONALITY FOCUS: JOHN H. LYBARGER
From time to time we write up biographical sketches on persons who have made a distinctive contribution as a member of the wider Lybarger family. Many of you have probably wondered who the president of the LMA is. Well, here is the story on him.
John "Jack" Holmes Lybarger was born in New Lexington, OH into the family of Margaret Bolin and Francis Bennett Lybarger on June 30, 1923 and was named for his uncle John Holmes. He graduated from New Lexington High School following which he served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Theater in World War 11. After the war he attended Ohio University at Athens where he earned both his BA and his masters degree in education.
Thornville Elementary School in New Lexington was where he began his teaching career. Later he became a teacher and principal of Hemlock School. From 1951 to 1972 he was the principal at Junction City Elementary School . He later became Superintendent of the Perry County Mental Retardation & Developmental Disability program. With all his experience it was only natural that he would serve two terms on the New Lexington City School Board. Not surprisingly, he received the All Southeast Ohio Regional School Board Award from the Ohio School Boards Assoc. He also served as the treasurer of the Ohio Assoc. of Elementary Administrators for 2 years. In addition, he is a member of the Perry County Retired Teachers Assoc., New Lexington Lions Club, and the Fraternal Order of Masons, Elks Lodge 509, and is past president of Phi Delta Kappa, an honorary education fraternity. Much of his time today is devoted to his local United Methodist Church where he serves as a lay speaker and an adult Sunday School teacher for 40 years. In his spare time he plays golf.
It was while teaching at Hemlock that he met and married Betty Ann Stickdorn on Dec. 19, 1953 who was the school cook. She passed away on Aug. 1, 1995. Into their marriage came Tina Michelle on Oct. 1, 1958 and Jeffery Bennett on May 14, 1962. Tina blessed John and Betty with two grandchildren, Robert Michael Nelson in 1983 and Joseph Andrew Nelson in 1987. John's son has followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a assistant pastor in the Sciotoville United Methodist Church.
It was at the July, 1985 annual meeting of the reconstituted Lybarger Memorial Association that John was elected president, a position he has retained ever since. He hopes that someone will step forward before too long.
So it is that we have focused on John "Jack" H. Lybarger. The LMA is indeed fortunate to have a relative of his caliber providing the leadership he does. So why has he not been given the LMA Distinguished Service Award? That is because of the unwritten rule that persons are not eligible while serving as trustees of the LMA. Needless to say, John's day will come.
WELCOME NEW LMA MEMBERS
Thirty seven persons have been added to the membership roster of the Lybarger Memorial Association. They range over 22 different states from Delaware on the east coast to Washington on the west coast. Many regions are represented including the southwest the far south and the heartland. Welcome to the folks who are new first time members of the Lybarger Memorial
Association for the year beginning July, 1997:
Darla Lybarger Adams, Broken Arrow, OK Harry Robert Alexander, Ottumwa, IA Elsie V. Bebard, Utica, OK Angus Burch, Ann Arbor, MI Cheryl Lewis, Glendale, AZ Marilyn K. Davis, Phoenix, AZ Linda M. Lybarger Farmer, Springfield, IL Jon & Lois Foyt, Santa Fe, NM Linda Ginz, Canton, IL Suzanne Lybarger Graves, Lansdale, PA Robert & Joanne Hatcher, Cutler, IL Evelyn E. Scott Hintz, North Ridgeville, OH Nell & Juanell Hollander, Houston, TX Charles Dennis Lybarger, Mesa, AZ David Arthur LyBarger, Portland, OR David Lee Lybarger, Salisbury, MD Emelyn S. Lybarger, Remington, VA George B. Lybarger, Spencerville, OH Ida Lybarger, Roseburg, OR John Thomas Lybarger II, Hartselle, AL Larry W., Joyce Lybarger, Sterling, CO Melvin F & Betty Lybarger, Marysville, WA Ralph Lybarger, South Bend, IN Robert C. Lybarger, Hawthorne, NV
William & Lorraine Lybarger, Dover, DE Gary Van & Carol Lybyer, Moscow, ID Thomas Masengale, Battle Creek, MI Norville Don Maston, Jr., Springfield, OH Edward B. Meyer, Galloway, OH Eva Lois Miller, Beeville, TX Jeanne Lybarger McGinnis, Aurora, OH Olive E. Nelson, Gothenburg, NE Alvie L & Betty Phillips, Springdale, AR Kelly Shannon, Santa Fe, NM Estel G. Sewell, Hamilton, IN Charlotte Spencer, Crofton, NE Julie Tewillinger, Bradenton, Fl,
WORDS TO CHEW ON
It is one of nature's ways that we often feel closer to distant generations than to the generation immediately preceding us. Igor Stravinsky (Russian composer) 1959
COMMENTS ON "THE LYBARGER DESCENDANTS"
With the publishing of the new Lybarger history many letters and comments have been received by the authors. A sampling of the many comments follow:
My "Lybarger Descendants" book arrived in excellent condition and most of my free time has been occupied examining it. I am absolutely amazed at the completeness of coverage in the book and the ease of locating a given name. The computerized system used to put it together is fantastic. The entire Lybarger family owes you both its thanks for this remarkable achievement.
Samuel F. Lybarger, McMurray, PA
"Our books arrived safely this week. WOW! It is absolutely amazing. I didn't expect such detail, such an easy index, pictures and articles. F II be the rest of my life absorbing it all. You have done a tremendous job and a real service to all Lybargers. I can't help but think how very pleased my father (Donald F. Lybarger) would be to see his simple history become such an outstanding book."
Cornelia L. Neuswanger, Wray, CO
My copy of "The Lybarger Descendants" has just arrived, and I have been very impressed with it from the standpoint of completeness, accuracy, format and ease of tracing various lines. You are to be commended for the excellent publication you have prepared.. One of the strongest points is the way in which the reader can trace a particular line -both from the present generation back to the Lybarger immigrants, as well in the reverse direction. Also, the introductory sections are very valuable, as is the index. This publication must certainly rank as one of the best of its kind.
Bruce E. Deal, Palo Alto, CA
Your book just came today and I want to tell you how pleased I am with it. You did a fabulous job. It looks like you got in all the information I requested. Hope others are as pleased as I am - but be prepared for some disgruntled people who think you should have all their information correct without their submitting anything. I'm glad I gave you most of my Lybarger research and that you apparently were able to use some of it. Thank you for including me in your most extensive list of people who sent you information.
Phyllis M. Bunnelle, Santa Clara, CA
My copy of your book just arrived. WOW!! What a WONDERFUL accomplishment! Thank you so much.
Jerri McCoy, Olympia, WA
Received the Lybarger book today, in good shape. Will take me a while to go through it, but a lot of time and work has gone into this project. Thanks,
Dolores L. Tawes, Mt. Vernon, WA
I got the book yesterday! Boy, is that a big book. You should be very proud of the work you have produced. I hope that one day, I can have that much information on the Tinchers or the West clan. Thanks for all the hard work!
Jennifer Tincher, Indianapolis, IN
Got the book about two weeks ago and it's great. Can't hardly put it down. You guys did a great job.
Cecil & Margaret Lybarger, Alda, NE
Let me offer my congratulations on the completion and delivery of The Lybarger Descendants. What a monumental work! I know that you have worked countless hours on this project and all of we recipients are grateful.
Delores Randles Hutchinson, Dunwoody, GA
A line to let you know that I received the books this evening. They exceeded my expectations. I know that I will enjoy mine and I'm sure that the six copies that I am giving my children will not be wasted. GREAT JOB!
Thomas Neal Lybarger, Melbourne, FL
I have just spent the last few hours studying "The Lybarger Descendants" that arrived this morning. WOW! What an undertaking and so well done. CONGRATULATIONS Hope there isn't too much of a let down after all that work. Remember, the researching never ends.
Nola Donley, Ellettsville, IN
BOOK DONORS NEEDED
The LMA is searching for folks who would like to donate Lybarger Family histories to selected libraries and genealogical associations. Already books have been given to genealogy libraries in Indiana, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. However, books also need to be given to the following:
Knox County Public Library, Mt. Vernon, OH Newberry Library, Chicago, IL Penna. Genealogical Society, Philadelphia, PA
California Genealogical Society, San Francisco, CA Palatines to America Library, Columbus, OH National Genealogical
Society, Arlington, VA Texas Genealogical Society, Houston, TX Florida Genealogical Society,
If you would like to be a donor send a check for $27.00 payable to the LMA to Lee Lybarger at the LMA, P.O. Box 611, Delaware, OH 43015. It will be forwarded to the treasurer who will authorize John L. Lybarger in Mansfield, OH to send the book to the designated place. Please note the name of the library to receive the book. If you prefer, the LMA will select one for you. You or the LMA will then send a separate letter to the organization indicating that it is a gift from you. In any event your name and the organization will be added to the list of other donors to be noted in the Spring issue of the newsletter. Your generosity will be much appreciated.
1997 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Lee Francis Lybarger, Sr. was selected to receive the 1997 LMA Distinguished Service Award. "Me son of Aaron Lybarger and Mary Sophia Meredith, he was born on May 15, 1866, at Millwood in Knox County, Ohio. He attended Wooster University (now called the College of Wooster) in Ohio. For a number of years he taught at Neff College of Oratory in Philadelphia, PA from which he received his master's degree in Oratory. He also studied law and was admitted to the Philadelphia Bar in 1900.
In 1904 he entered the Chautauqua and Lyceum lecture program and lectured in many states on a variety of economic, political, and social topics including "How Genius is Born", "From Force to Affection - the Basis of Marriage". "Sex and Courtship in Nature", "Oppression, Rights, and Treatment of Women". On March 13,1904, he spoke in Chicago on "How to be Happy".
He was the author of "Land, Labor and Wealth". "The Tariff Primer", "Me National Gamble", and "The Tariff' which was written in Washington while the Underwood Tariff bill was being framed. He was ahead of his time for his outspoken belief in international trade free from tariffs. He was the referee in bankruptcy under the District Court in Central Pennsylvania.
The reasons for his receiving the Distinguished Service Award were not only for his outstanding public achievements but also because he was the first president of the Lybarger Memorial Association in 1927. He was on the program for the reunion and gave one of the speeches.
Lee Francis was married to Lydia B. Kessinger on September 8, 1895. They had two children William Meredith Sr., born Sept. 29. 1899, and Lee Francis Jr. born June 15, 1906. They had 13 grandchildren three of whom were on hand to receive the award on his behalf Lee Francis Sr. died on July 14, 1952 in Mifflinburg, PA.
HOW MANY GREAT GRANDPARENTS?
In The Lybarger Descendants book it is possible to trace your ancestral line back to our immigrant ancestor, Nicholas Leyenberger. He and his wife Catharina are the first generation of those in American and Canada who became known as Lybargers or Lybergers or Lybyers. The next generation were the three sons
Their three sons were John George, Nicholas, and Ludwig. Moving through the generations we come to those of us who are in the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, and even l3th generation. When we total up all our biological ancestors the totals are staggering. It works this way: number
First generation removed: parents 2 Second generation removed: grandparents 4 Third generation removed: great-grandparents 8 Fourth generation removed: great great-grandparents 16 Fifth generation removed: 3rd great grandparents 32 Sixth generation removed: 4th great grandparents 64 Seventh generation removed: 5th great grandparents 128 Eighth generation removed: 6th great grandparents 256 Ninth generation removed: 7th great grandparents 512 Tenth generation removed: 8th great grandparents 1024 Eleventh generation removed: 9th great grandparents 2048 Twelfth generation removed: 10th great grandparents 4096 Thirteenth generation removed: 11th great grandparents 8192
That means that if you are, say, the 9th generation removed from our immigrant ancestor you have a grand total 512 7th great grandparents from both sides of your family. When you add both your maternal and paternal parents, grandparents, and great grandparents who link the 9th generation of great grandparents to you the total number of ancestors in your direct line comes to 1,022 excluding siblings,, cousins, aunts and uncles!
If everyone could have all their ancestors back far enough there would be more persons than the population of the Earth. In actual fact, the further back we go the more we are merge with the distant ancestors of many other persons to whom we have no known connection. If we could all trace our ancestors back far enough we might discover that e are the 20th or 30th cousin to our next door neighbor or the mayor of our town, or the person who delivers us this newsletter as well as many many others!
If this sounds out-of-sight, consider this: By using biochemical DNA testing scientists have established a blood tie between a 9,000 year old skeleton and an English school teacher who live only a half mile from the caves where the bones of "Cheddar Man" were found! It is the longest human lineage ever traced according to the AP story in the "Columbus Dispatch" (Ohio) last March 8th. A team of researchers at Oxford University 's Institute of Molecular Medicine who did the study have said that if more people were tested other relatives of the 9,000 year old skeleton would be found as well. In fact, there are probably millions of Britons and Americans, whose ancestors came from the British Isles, who could be linked to Cheddar Man.
So it is that each of us is the offspring of thousands of ancestors who have preceded us and who are also the ancestors of thousands of other to whom we think we are not related. Although each of us is a unique individual we also carry within us the genes and characteristics of many thousands of persons to whom we are biologically linked
PIONEERING IN ALASKA IN THE 1950'S
The following account is based on a biographical sketch in The Lybarger Descendants, submitted by Phyllis Lutz (Lybarger) Bunnelle of Santa Clara, CA. It describes the pioneering efforts in Alaska of her mother-in-law, Comfort Amelia Fletcher who was born Nov. 20, 1903 in El Paso, TX and died Jan. 24, 1984 'in Anchorage, Alaska. On Dec. 20, 1920 she married William Bryan LyBarger Sr. (they changed the "b" to a "B" which some of their six sons adopted). Bill died on Mar 3, 1946 in Los Banos, CA. This story is exciting to read as it captures the spirit of our ancestors who pioneered on the frontiers of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois and elsewhere in the late 1700's and early 1800's. As you read it imagine that it might not have been all that different from what they endured in securing their homesteads.
In May, 1954, Amelia, a 50-year old widow, with a son, Larry, age 12, to raise, decided to move to Alaska, where the last remaining homesteads from the federal government were available. She and Larry plus another son Gene, 25, left their home in Arizona and drove to Anchorage where they chose an area 23 miles to the south to stake out a homestead. Amelia was first told she could secure 160 acres, but was only permitted a 2 acre "homesite".
When they arrived, it was too late in the year to build a log cabin. So they chose a spot by a creek one mile from the highway, and erected a 12' x 14' tent-house, insulated with cardboard boxes. With their dog and cat they survived the cold Alaska winter, living through record-breaking temperatures that sunk as low as 30 degrees below zero, along with a record 30 foot snowfall. They also experienced a severe windstorm and a small earthquake. They had to sled in all their supplies along a snow shoe path also used by moose and a mother bear with cubs. Gene drove to Work in Anchorage. Larry went 13 miles by bus to school. Amelia supplied wood for cooking and for heating the tent, carried water, tended lanterns., and cooked the meals.
The following Spring she and her sons built their log cabin. But first they had to make an access road from a rough road that passed another settler, their only neighbor at the time. The cabin took several years to complete. First Amelia built a stone fireplace. Then waste water was drained out and later running water piped in. More rooms were added. Electricity was installed by another son, Bob. The structure proved sound when it survived a massive 8.3 earthquake in March, 1964, Materials for the initial cabin came to only $469 including $322 for the logs!
Amelia lived most of the next 27 years in her comfortable log cabin in the woods. She made jam from the berries in her strawberry patch and from wild
high bush cranberries. Her closeness to the wonders of the wilderness with its native animals and the beautiful view of the mountains and the bay, were always there for her to enjoy. She liked to write poetry and prose. Several of her poems and articles appeared in the Anchorage Day News
In 1980 Amelia moved into a nursing home in Anchorage where she died at age 80. She was a member of the Baptist Church. She is buried in Phoenix, Ariz. along side her late husband An engraving of her log cabin with the mountains in the background appear on her gravestone. Her cabin has been home to later generations of LyBarger's. A grandson lives there now. An extensive addition has been built on to the original structure, but it remains today a symbol of her faith, courage, hard work, endurance, and love. Amelia was a remarkable woman. What follows is one of her poems which catches the pioneering spirit of this determined lady.
SAGA OF A WOULD-BE HOMESTEADER
I came to Alaska to homestead, 160 big acres, my aim, I measured and staked out my homestead, In anchorage I did file my claim.
The office in Anchorage had told me One mile from the bay you must go, So this I was careful to do, And measured sure and slow.
The land I had chosen was unsurveyed, in Juneau my claim must be served. The answer came back, "You're too close to the bay" One mile and one-half is reserved!"
So I got out my chains and remeasured One mile and one-half very slow; Back thru the brush and the nettles, Up to the tall timber I go.
Then down to the office in Anchorage, To turn in my new metes and bounds; There to be sent on to Juneau, As I'm still on unsurveyed grounds.
Now after four months of waiting, Feeling I could not fail, The claim come back, "Rejected!" My plans to no avail.
So back to the office in Anchorage; is there any land open at all? "Here are a few home sites, We admit they are very small."
Alaska you give very grudgingly, Mine not to reason why. But your every view is lovely, And your mountains reach to the sky.
From 160 to 2 is a comedown; My boy had a feeling of shame. Since I at first felt the same way, I'm sure that I gave him no blame.
But all things must have a beginning, And tho' it's exceedingly small, The growth of the oak from the acorn Is a tree that is mighty and tall.
So I wind up with two little acres, And I must give it a name; It won't be Acres or Acorns But a combine of the same. So the name is "Little
Acorns," And when you are out my way, Stop in and see my lovely views, For I have come to stay!
Amelia LyBarger 1/11/1955
CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEA
Are you wondering what to get your husband, wife, father, mother, son or daughter for Christmas? What could be more special than The Lybarger Descendants? Opportunities for gifts like these are few and far between. You can use the order form on bottom of this page.
EDITOR'S SOS
The editor of "Lybarger Linkages" is searching for readers who would be interested in writing articles for the newsletter. He has been doing it ever since it began in 1985. Much as he enjoys being the editor he realizes that he cannot do it forever. It would be better for the future of the Lybarger Memorial Association if an assistant could be groomed in the hope that he or she or they could eventually take over as editor. Many readers have come to expect their issue twice a year - especially those who contribute to the association. The newsletter is the main ongoing link to not only the membership but to the wider circle of Lybarger relations and friends throughout the country.
If you would like to contribute articles for "Lybarger Linkages" please contact Lee H. Lybarger, LMA, P.O. Box 611, Delaware, OH 43015. Phone calls are welcome at 614-369-9093 or send an e-mail message to him to
lybarger@midohio.net.
WORDS FROM A SAGE
Whatever you inherited from your forefather, earn it so that it will be truly yours.
Goethe (German poet) 1749-1832
