Brothers and Sister

Thomas Albert (Al Kelly)Lewallen, Raymond Commadore (Joe Wenrich) Lewallen, Mary Lois Lewallen Weir, John W. Lewallen

John and Eva

John William and Eva Jane Adams Lewallen

Lewallens

Uncle Joe Wenrich, Aunt Ella (Uncle Jim's wife), Uncle Jim Lewallen - 79 years old, and Uncle John Lewallen. Taken July 1966. Carol shared this story: "I have to tell the story about the family get together and it would be at Uncle Jim's and Aunt Ellen's place. Aunt Ellen would cook up this big meal of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and fresh green beans and of course there was so kind of pie or two. Uncle jim would get out the banjo, grandpa (John W. Lewallen) had his guitar, my grandma (Eva Jean) lewallen and my dad (John E. Lewallen) had there fiddle. They would play for hours and I would watch Uncle Jim and he would go to sleep and just play right along with them. I told my dad that Uncle Jim was asleep and he said it's OK, because he'll keep playing what ever song we play."

Josephine Lewallen (John Lewallen's daughter), Duane Lewallen (Charles Haywood Lewallen's son), Ella, Jim, John, and Joe

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Duane, John and "Jose" (Josephine) in Wieser, Idaho.

Lois on the death of Kittie and Wm. Jasper

Honolulu, Hawaii

Feb - 14th - 1920

My Dear Brothers One and All :-

Your dear letter arrived today, and was overjoyed to receive it. I am glad you are all well, and getting along so nicely, which ranch are you on Jim's or John's, or has Jim given up his ranch?

Gee, Haywood I wish you would save your money and come back with me, that would be just "bully". You could work with Eddie, he has a business of his own, auto repair shop. you could work with him and learn the trade, you should be able to get along just fine to-gether, dont you think? Think it over Haywood, and weigh things out for yourself.

Honolulu is a beautiful place, and I am sure you would like it here, fine, it is always warm, never too cold or too hot, as it is in Weiser.

Eddie wishes to be remembered to you all, and sends regards. to one and all of you. I asked you, or Jim rather to let me have Agnes, I am waiting pationly [patiently?] for the answer, so I will know what to do, and prepare for, when I come over, then I could, bring her back with me, it would be much better for me to have her than a step-mother, for step-mothers are no good, sometimes. Yes poor "Kitty" my heart aches to think the mother of those three babies has gone from us for-ever. but we must sumit to higher power. Yes I received the letter mentioned but it is like a chinese puzzle to know just which one of you wrote it. so I wrote to the whole bunch, the letter belongs to you all, so dont fight over it, now will you?

I received a letter from Carry, and she broke the news of Kitty's and Daddie's death.

Carry is the dearest girl in the world, out side of my own little girl, but Carry, is the best friend I have ever had or ever will have I guess. I owe her an awful lot of credit believe me. I think I will be home in six months any way, but dont plan too much, we never know what is in store for us, these days.

The "flu" has broke out here quite bad, there has been several deaths from it, since Jan., first. We have been very lucky so far, we had the flu on board the boat coming from Australia, 60 odd cases, and we were in quarentine 18 days at Auckland New Zealand, but we had the time of our lives there. Oysters, Oh Baby, I don't like them myself, but Eddie, he ate that many, he almost looked like one, we

There are many things I can tell you when I see you, about our trip, it made it all the more interesting by having to stay in New Zealand so long, and then the costums at Fiji, and Pago Pago, Samoa. But I will wait it would take a long time to write it, so we can talk a long time when we meet again.

So Brothers dear I will ring off, and I hope you will ans., real soon, and not put it off for another year. With our best wishes, for a Happy New Year. (it is rather late to do that) but never the less we do. We remain as ever.

Your Brother & Sister Lois & Eddie.

With tons and tons of love and kisses to all of you. dont forget to kiss the babies for me.

Lois.

Lois to Haywood

My Dearest Brother:

A letter from John arrived the other day, but none from you Haywood, for over a year, so I want to hear from you again direct. I received your photo in uniform, and still have it. I think an awful lot of it too.

Do you ever think of coming to Hawaii, it is an ideal place, and I would be tickled stiff to have a brother here with me.

It grieves me very much to think dear old Dad has left up for ever, I think back of the times when we were in Portland you Daddie and I. Although you used to sensure me, but I persume I needed it. Well all that has passed so why worry over it; isn't that right:

What has Jim done with his ranch, has he still got it, or has he rented it. It seems to me he should make a good deal of money on the ranch, by raising chickens with eggs as high as they are he ought to make pretty good; or pigs or even cattle, there are plenty ways to make good money on a ranch, if one goes at it in the right way.

Haywood I must ring off and am in the hopes of hearing from you real soon, I may be home some time this summer, and you can bank on it I will see you all, when I come. I persume John has explained how, I tried to see you before you went to France.

Well byby for now, kiss the children for me, and lots of love to you all.

Eddie wishes to be remembered to you all.

Tons of love,

Your Ever loving Sister

Lois

Letter from Helen Harbaugh to Nellaray Holt

April 15, 1982
Ashland, OR.
. . .In sifting through the information I have collected, I discovered that Walter D. Lewallen was my great grandfather. He and his wife, Anna Brown had the following children: Nancy M., Mary A., Samuel Anderson (my grandfather), William J., Joseph B, Levi Wayne (Absalom), Sintha J.R., James D., and Absolum (Frank).
My grandfather married Anna C. Young and they had the following children: Walter O., Andrew J., Sarah C., Mertie F., Gertie M., Wayne W. (my father), Josie E., and Reanuso T.
My father married Loma D. Phillips and they has the following children: Mabel, Grace, Helen (me), William, and Ruth.
My father passed away July 3, 1967 and my mother is still living.
Other info that may interest your friends concern William Jasper Lewallen and his wife Melinda Young. This couple had the following children:
James Howard
John William
Tarizana
Charles Haywood
Mary Lois - adopted by a Jones family
Thomas Albert - adopted by an aunt, Mrs Kelly
Raymond Comodore - adopted by Mr. and Mrs Alfred Wenrich. His name was changed to Joseph Albert Wenrich. He furnished me the information concerning William Jasper Lewallen. Joe and his wife Effie live in Hillsboro, OR. My sister, Ruth and I visited them last summer. . .

another letter to my grandmother from Joe Wenrich

. . . Sure glad to hear from you. We have thought of you often. . . You ask about cousins. I'll do the best I can. But you know I have been away from them. I just have to stop and think. And of course that is also a task for me, But here goes. Uncle John just had one boy, Johnny (1st) his children (2nd cousins), Gary, Gail, Carol.
Uncle Jim his first wife, Kitty, (had three daughters) Maud, Agnes, Blanch. (By) 2nd wife, Ellen, children Pattsy, Billy, Jimmy, Florence, Ester.
Uncle Kelly (had) two children, Sharron, David
Aunt Lois 1 child Inez. Inez (had) one girl Luanna.
Uncle Joe (had) two boys Otis and Orric.
Otis's children (are) Grayson, Audrey, Robin, and Mary Joe (sic)
Orric has no children of his own and of course Buck you know. I know very little about any of them except you and Greta.
I am ashamed of myself for not knowing more about our family. But all I ever knew is what Jim, John, and Buck and Kelly told me. But really they all knew very little about our family as they were brought out to this country in 1899 and they were all pretty young at the time. But I learned quite a lot, the 2 years that John and I went back to Tennessee. Jim went with us one year. But most of our people were dead many years.
Honey, my arm is just about worn out so I will close. Hope you have not much trouble reading this.
Love from both of us to all of you.
Uncle Joe and Effie
J.A. Wenrich
Hillsboro OR

letter to my grandmother from Joe Wenrich

Hillsboro 1-19-80
. . . Re your letter of a couple of days ago, sure pleased to hear from you and to know you are all well. Now to answer your questions.
Your Aunt Audrey was my wife. Her maiden name was Portlock. She was born in Bruneau Idaho, had one sister and one brother. the sister died in 1918 with the flu. The brother passed away in 1940. Audrey passed away in 1963.
No we didn't have any step bros. or sisters. Your grandmother, Malinda Lewallen, had two half sisters. I don't remember their names but I met them one time in GlenMary Tenn. That is where our family came from, and where we went for the reunion.
Your Uncle John and I made the first trip back in 1937/1938. Uncle John and Uncle Jim made the trip back there in 1939. John and I went back on the bus, but Kelly, Lois and David, Kelly's son drove back. John and I left 2 days before they arrived. John and I went on to San Antonio TX, Kelly missed the family reunion. but they stayed there a week.
I hope Honey that this answers all of your questions. One thing more in GlenMary Tenn. most everyone is a Lewallen or Young. I really don't understand the Young family. But Mother's sister married a Young. I met her. The last time I saw her she was 93 years old, and still going. But a short time after that I heard she had passed away.
If you can read this letter you are really a whiz. So with that I'll close. With love from me and Effie.
Write when you get time.

Obituary of Eva Jane Lewallen

From a transcription of the obituary in the Weiser Signal Thur. May 7, 1966
Life Resident of Area Dies - Rites Sat.
Eva Jane Lewallen, 79, Passed away Tuesday evening at an Ontario Hospital. Funeral Services will be at the Northern-Jones Chapel with the Rev. Joseph Wagnon officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest.
Mrs. Lewallen was born May2, 1887 on Hornet Creek, the daughter of Elias Adams and Nancy Dunn Adams.
She married John W. Lewallen Mar. 9, 1921 at Weiser.
Mrs. Lewallen lived most of her life in and around Weiser.
Survivors include Her husband, John W. Lewallen; one son, John E. Lewallen; and one daughter, Josephine Lanyon, all of Weiser; 5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren.

Transcribed by my father from the National Funeral Record page 152:

Date of Call May 3 1966

Eva Jane Lewallen

Place of Death: Orofino, Idaho - Orofina Hospital

Usual Residence of Deceased: Idaho

County: Washington, Town: Weiser

Social Security No. : ***-**-0109

Married

Sex: F, Race: White

Name of Spouse: John W. Lewallen

(No place of marriage but instead of place, date 3-9-21)

Date of Death: 1966 May 3

Date of Birth: 1887 May 2

She was 79 years, 0 months, and 1 day old

Birthplace: Hornet Creek, Idaho

Father's name: Elias Adams

Mother's maiden name: Nancy Dunn

Informant: Josephine Lawyon

Address: Weiser

Husband's relatives

1. John W of Weiser

1. Son John E Lewallen of Weiser

1. Daughter Josephine Lawyon of Weiser

5 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 6 great-great-grandchildren

Date of funeral May 7 1966, Services at North*m - Jones Funeral Home. Time 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery

Clergyman or reader: Rev. Joe Wagnor

Singer: Betty Dickensen

songs: "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere", "Old Rugged Cross"

Organist: Marie Cousins

Casket Bearers: Glenn Erhardt, Clark Purcell, Orville Purcell, Jerry Karnes, Marvin Pound, Clarence Chrestesen

Funeral Record of John W. Lewallen

Joe Wenrich is on the left; John Lewallen is on the right.

Date of Call Feb 10, 1971
The National Funeral Record
Full name of Deceased: John W. Lewallen
Place of Death: Washington County, Weiser City, Park Haven Manor
Usual residence of deceased: Idaho, Washington county, Weiser
Veteran of WWI, Social Security Number: ***-**-0109
Date enlisted: 7-20-1918 Serial Number 3645924
Date discharged 1-21-1919
Organization: Army
Rank: Private Bat. A.
widowed, white, male
Name of Spouse: Eva Jane Adams Moore
Date of Marriage: 1922
Date of Death: 10 Feb 1971
Date of Birth: 30 Jan 1889
Age: 82 years 0 months 10 days
Birthplace: Glenmary, Tennessee
Father's name: Wm Lewallen
Mother's maiden name: Malinda Young
Doctor: MS McGrath
Relatives:
Son, John E Lewallen of Weiser
Daughter, Mrs Josephine Lanyon of Weiser
Brothers: Chas. Haywood Lewallen of Castle Rock, WA; Thomas Albert Kelly of Portland; Joe Wenrich of Portland
Grandchildren
great-grandchildren
great-great-grandchildren
Date of funeral: February 13 1971
Services at 2 PM
Cemetery: Hillcrest Cemetery
Burial
Address: Weiser
Clergy: Rev. Joseph Wagner (?)
Singers: Mrs. Betty Dickerson
Songs: "Just a Closer Walk with Thee", "The Old Rugged Cross"
Organist: Mrs. Joyce Sutton
Church and Fraternal Orders: Barracks of WWI Veterans
Casket Bearers: Clarence Chrestesen, Marvin Perud (?), Hugh Ivie Jr., Jerry Karnes, Toni Dickerson