Elaine and Juanita, Cousins

 Thomas Albert "Al Kelly" Lewallen with his daughter Elaine, and niece Juanita

Estella Ball Lewallen with her daughter Elaine, and Susie Umiker Lewallen with her daughter Juanita.

Brothers and Sister

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

Al, Stella, and Elaine

Thomas Albert Lewallen (Al Kelly), with his wife, Estella Ball Lewallen and daughter, Elaine.

Dave Kelly's memories

. . .As far as your G-grandfather [Charles Haywood] is concerned, we would visit him at least once a year in Castle Rock, Washington. I loved going there. He and my Dad (Al/Thomas) loved to try and outshoot each other as Haywood was a WWI vet and very accurate with a rifle. (as a side note, he had two fingers shot off in the war as he was running for cover during a German machine gun attack). I can remember waking up in the morning at his house and smelling "side bacon" cooking. A bit rich for me but I ate it anyway. I remember the drive back and forth from Portland to Castle Rock was an all day trek. Back then, the roads were terrible.
You mentioned Lois in your note. My sister and I knew her as Aunt Mary. She was the sister of Al/Thomas, Haywood and the rest of the crew. She was married to a Lou Weir and lived many years in Australia during WWII. They eventually moved back to the States and settled in Portland. Uncle Lou was an exec at United Parcel Service in Portland. They also owned several "boarding houses" in the Portland area. When Lou passed on, Mary/Lois came to live with my father and me. That only lasted a few years as she did not like the hustle and bustle of my Dad's house with Sharron and I coming and going all the time.

--blogger's note-- My dad told me that three of Haywood's fingers, not two, were shot off in the war. He was left with his index finger and thumb, but according to my dad, he could do more with those two digits than most people could do with both hands.

Obituary of Albert Kelly (Thomas Albert Lewallen)

9 Nov 1973
Oregonian

KELLY -- Albert, father of Sharron Heinrich, David Kelly, Elaine Start; brother of Joseph Weinrich; 3 grandchildren. Memorial service Saturday, 10 am, at the LITTLE CHAPEL OF THE CHIMES, 430 N Killingsworth. Cremation The Little Chapel of the Chimes crematory.

Hello Kids

Hello Kids

How is everything. This leaves well and hope this find you the same. Im down home spent Xmas home. will close hopeing to see you soon & a happy knew year

As Ever B.4.

Estella & Kelly

Post card from Al to Haywood

Portland Ore

Aug 17 -21

Dear Brother

How is every little thing. I thought I would drop a couple of lines and let you know how everything is. I have been working for a fellow repairing roofs, and fire escaps, but I dont think much of it. I didn't want to steamboat. Has Dug found out anything about selling out. Well Haywood write and let me know a few things.

Al

Al to Haywood

Castle Rock, WA

May 8, 1921

Dear Brother:

I received all of your letters Monday, as you know where I was Sat. and Sun. I am Sorry to learn that you are disatisfied up there, I guess one does get some lonesome alright. I get that way down here on the ranch. What seems to be the matter with those hoosiers up there, that you cant pick up no aquaintences. I am baking a mince pie today. You can imagine how it will taste.

Well Haywood, I dont know as yet what I will do but, we should worry it will all come out all right. I guess Dug will sell out down here, and that will let me out I suppose. I guess I will have to go to work like the rest of the slaves.

I went home Sunday and say Haywood I took the little girl from down here up to portland with me. Say boy she is a real kid, the reason I say this is because I left Castle R. at 7:30 am and got in Port. 5 pm. I only had 5 blow outs and she was right there to help me every time. You ought to come down here and grab her off. But my old girl suits me well enough. I told Stella to be sure and write you; but I told her your adress wrong I said 14 Terrace St. Corvallis Ore. You see I didn't say Park. Terrace. So I suppose you wont get it if she does write.

Yes Dug has gotten over his drunk and is feeling hisself once more. I brought him down on the O.W. Passinger with me and he sure thought it all right. Hhe was just like a kid with his first long pants.

Well Kid I may be up there any time to see you so dont be surprised and we'll talk over this homestead business. you know we are both young as yet.

Well Haywood I will choke off for now, as I have got to write to the only girl. So by by.

As ever your Brother Al.

Dug said Hello. Awfully poor hand to write etc.

Susie to Al Lewallen

(Burg.)

Dear friend Al.

Dad recieved your card this eve. I suppose by this time Haywood has told you what I wrote him about Doug. He is still very sick. Dad has been going up twice a day to see him. He was up last night and kicked the moon in the river. He said He may feel a bit better now.

Abe and Margaret were up tonight and took him some-thing to eat. They said He said the craziest things.

Dad said you or Haywood had better come down as soon as you can, for he is just like crazy. Doug says he is going to die, etc.

Must ring off. But you or Haywood or both of you Please come down as soon as you can.

Sue

Excuse the scrib etc.

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. . .

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.

Orders of Adoption

Photo taken Sept. 1973 Uncle Joe Wenrich on left; Uncle Al Kelly on right.

Kelly passed away Nov 7, 1973; buried Nov 10th


In the Probate Court of Washington County, State of Idaho-
In the Matter of the Application of Thos. E. Kelley and wife C. A. Kelley to Adopt Thomas R. Llewellen the Minor Child of William Llewellen.
This cause having come on regularly for hearing and it appearing that said Minor Child Thomas R. Llewellen is now present, and the consent of Thos. E. Kelley and C. A. Kelly the Petitioners to adopt said minor child having been signed before me and are filed herein: that said William Llewellen is the father of said minor child: that the Mother of said minor child is dead: that said minor child is under the age of twelve years: that the consent of the father of said minor child to said adoption and his consent thereto in open court having been signified, and said written consent is on file herein: that the petitioners have filed their agreement, signed before me with said minor child and with each person whose consent has been filed herein, that said minor child shall be adopted by said petitioners and treated in all respects as their own lawful child should be treated, including the right of inheritance: and it appearing that such adoption will be for the best interests of said minor child, that said petitioners and said minor child, and all persons whose consent is necessary, have each appeared herein and were examined as provided by law: that said petitioners each reside in this county.
It is therefore Adjudged that petitioners Thos. E. Kelley and C. A. Kelley adopt said minor child and from this time forward said minor child shall be treated by them in all respects as their own lawful child should be treated, Including the right of Inheritance and said petitioners and said Minor child shall bear towards each other the relations of Parent and Child.
Dated Feby 23 1906
(signed) John W. Ayers
Probate Judge
(Aunt Mary and Uncle Lou Wier; photo taken Sept 1955)
Author's note: I have two other hand-written adoption records identical to this except for the parties named. They regard William Llewellen's daughter, Mary L. Llewellen's, adoption by C. A. Jones and his wife, Annie Jones; and William's son Samuel R.'s adoption by Alfred Wenrich and his wife, Lillian Wenrich. Each record bears the same date.