Sketches

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge - Week 5 -  At the Library

For this week's challenge I picked my grandmother, Caryl Pruett Showalter.  I remember Grandma reading to me from the big white bible on the coffee table.  It was illustrated with beautiful drawings.  I loved those stories.  She also gave me many many books.  I think she sent me the entire series of Nancy Drew books when I was about nine.  I will never forget her.  She was the best Grandma.

Caryl Ellen (Pruett) Showalter (1908 - 2000) 

Biography

Descendant of PGM migrant Thomas Buckingham.

Caryl Ellen Pruett was born on August 19, 1908 in Oakland, California ^[1] to Ralph Pruett and Josephine Oakley Benham.
Caryl's paternal grandfather, James Pruett, was a physician who migrated to Oakland California from Oregon in 1898. Her father Ralph moved with his family to Oakland but returned to Oregon in 1904 and in 1907 he married Josie Pruett. The couple went back to Oakland for the birth of their first child. Her uncle, William "Clifford" Pruett was also a physician who delivered Caryl into the world.

Corvalis Oregon.

The young family lived with Ralph's parents until about 1910 when the family returned to Bell Fountain, Oregon where she spent her early childhood years.^[2]

Caryl as an infant about 1909.

Life in Bellfountain and Corvallis was idyllic for Caryl. The community she lived in was settled by her great grandparents in the 1850s and was still a rural farming community when she lived there with her family.
In 1910, Josie and Ralph Pruett were ready for a home of their own and began searching in the town of Corvallis.^[3]

"Mrs. Ralph Pruett and little daughter, of Oakland, Cal., arrived Sunday evening. They expect to locate in this vicinity if they find suitable location. At present Mrs. Pruett is at the home of her mother, Mrs. J. H. Edwards"

Caryl attended school and enjoyed time with her best friend Francis Jane. Her younger sisters were also included in outdoor picnics, plays and garden parties.

Caryl, Ruth and Esther in Corvallis.

When Caryl was four her parents took her and her sister Ruth out to visit family friends, the Herrons.^[4]

"Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Pruett and little little daughters left yesterday for the Herron home at Irish Bend to spend a week or two enjoying the pleasures of farm life."

"Irish Bend - a loosely bordered community northeast of Monroe - is one of the few areas with notable Irish history in Benton County", said Mary Gallagher, collections manager for the Benton County Historical Society and Museum. The area is named for James Martin and brothers Robert and Tom Herron, Irishmen who settled there about 1860 and became the first wheat growers in Benton County, according to various sources.^[5]

Caryl, Ruth and Esther's garden party.

In 1919 Caryl was living temporarily with her grandparents Ellen and Joseph Edwards^[6] while her parents were getting settled at the logging camp in Bullwinkle, California where Ralph was made manager of the general merchandise store for the Little River Redwood Company.^[7] Caryl had a close relationship with her Grandmother Ellen Edwards. Her grandparents were frequent visitors to the Pruett's home. Ellen and Joseph spent the winter months of early 1920 in Bullwinkle and returned to Bellfountain in May.^[8]
Caryl listed on the 1920 census with her parents and siblings living in Humboldt county.^[9]

Caryl and Francis Jane.

"Crannell (formerly, Bullwinkel, Bulwinkle, Crannel, and Camp Nine) is a former settlement in Humboldt County, California. The location was formerly a company town for sawmill workers of the Little River Redwood Company, organized in 1893 by owners in Ottawa and western New York. Company headquarters were in Tonawanda. The California sawmill commenced operations in 1908. The post office opened in 1909 was named for property owner Conrad Bulwinkle. In 1922 the community was renamed for Little River Redwood Company president Levi Crannell. The town was served by the Trinidad extension of the Northwestern Pacific Railroad from 1911 to 1933."^[10]

Sunny day in California.

They family traveled back to Oregon many times over the next several years to visit family and friends. In 1925, Caryl's father Ralph accepted a job in Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California and the family moved from Humboldt county down to Santa Rosa when Caryl was about 17 years old.^[11]

"Pruetts in Santa Rosa"

"A number of Corvallis friends of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Pruett and family will be interested In learning that the Pruetts have Just purchased a new home in Santa Rosa, Cal., and are now at home In that city. Mrs. Pruett's mother,. Mrs. J. H Edwards, has Just recently returned to her Corvallis home from a visit to the Pruetts In Santa Rosa and found them pleasantly located there. Mrs. Edwards saw Mr. and Mrs. G. Lansing Hurd In Santa Rosa and found them progressing and happy in their new home."

Her Grandma Edwards suffered from high blood pressure and lost her eyesight sometime in 1928. Caryl came up from Santa Rosa to care for her. She attended her last year of high school in Corvallis and graduated not long after her Grandma passed away.^[12]

Caryl in 1929.

"Pruetts Leave".^[13]

"Mrs. J. R. Pruett and her daughter, Miss Caryl Pruett, left yesterday to make brief stops with relatives in Oregon enroute back to their home in Santa Rosa, Calif. Mrs. Pruett came here two or throe weeks ago to be present for the commencement exercises at Corvallis high school, her daughter Caryl being a member of the class. She visited her mother, Mrs. J. H. Edwards, and was here at the time Mrs. Edwards was stricken with paralysis and through her final illness. Mrs. Pruett formerly formerly was a resident of Corvallis."
Caryl returned to Santa Rosa and lived with her parents until 1934.^[14] Caryl married Cecil Oscar Showalter on June 16, 1934 in Santa Rosa.^[15]

Cecil Showalter.

Miss Caryl Pruett Betrothed to Cecil Showalter

"On the eve of the arrival of relatives relatives to enjoy the carnival festivities. Miss Caryl Pruett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Pruett. announced her engagement to Cecil Showalter, well known young oil company employee. The betrothal was told to members of the T. X. T. class Thursday evening at a meeting at the Baptist church parsonage, Mrs. A. L. McCart being the hostess.

In letting the "cat out of the bag,"' Miss Pruett and her. hostess actually resorted to that expedient. A complacent household pet was liberated among the guests from a large paper bag, to reveal the information that the young couple were planning to be married. The date of the wedding has not been set.

Miss Pruett. daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pruett of Silva Lane, is the sister of Mrs. Wesley Lachman and Mrs. Kenneth Schaffer of San Francisco, who were married a year or so ago. She graduated from the high school in Corvallis, Oregon, before coming here eight years ago with the other members of the family, and has attended the local Junior College.

Mr. Showalter attended the local public schools. He is a member of the Old Fellows Lodge, and well known among the younger business men of Sonoma, county.

Present when the engagement was revealed were Mrs. Ambrose Dye, Mrs. Orval Estes, Mrs. Leslie Smith, Mrs. Lloyd Yarbrough. Mrs. G. E. Wheaton, Mrs. Foster Russell. Miss Elizabeth Erwin, Mrs. George Barnett, Mrs. Maxine Coy, Miss Pruett and Mrs. McCart."

Goat Rock near the cabin.

Caryl's parents purchased a rustic cabin on the ocean near Mann's ranch. It became an important part of family life. Cecil was an avid hunter and fisherman and the Showalters spent most weekends in the summer at the cabin with their extended family. Guy and Ruby Mann who lived on Mann Ranch (formerly Gleason Ranch) near Bodega Bay in Sonoma county were close family friends. Mann Ranch Historic Landmark
Caryl and Cecil were both active members of the First Baptist Church of Santa Rosa^[16]. Caryl was devoted to her faith and remained so for her lifetime. The church was also called "The Church of One Tree" and was built in 1873 from a single redwood tree milled in Guerneville, California. The tree used to construct the Church stood 275 feet high and was 18 feet in diameter.^[17] A photo of the church can been viewed here.
The Showalter family enjoyed celebrating holidays and family events at the Pruett home. On Christmas day in 1939 the family gathered to celebrate. Caryl maintained a close relationship with her sisters and brothers throughout her life.

Christmas 1939.

Caryl and Cecil lived in Santa Rosa and raised three children.^[18] Caryl's mother Josie died in December of 1948.^[19] The Showalters were living at 582 Silva Avenue in Santa Rosa in 1949 and Cecil's occupation is listed as fire fighter in the Santa Rosa city directory.^[20] Caryl and her daughter Jo Anne attended the Baptist Guild mother-daughter banquet in 1951.^[21] In 1952 her father Ralph died suddenly while out on a walk.^[22]

Caryl and Cecil in later years.

Cecil passed away on October 2, 1973 in Santa Rosa.^[23] Caryl lived in their home on King Street until 1977 when she moved to Maryland to be near her daughter Jo Anne Short.
Caryl lived a long life of ninety-one years and passed away surrounded by her family on June 3, 2000 in La Plata, Maryland. ^[24] Her obituary was printed in the Press Democrat in Santa Rosa on June 6, 2000.^[25] Her remains are buried in the Sebastopol Memorial Lawn Cemetery. She and Cecil and buried together in the same grave site.^[26]

SHOWALTER, Caryl Ellen Passed away on Saturday, June 3, 2000 at Charles County Nursing Rehab Center. Age 91. Born August 19, 1908 in Oakland, CA. Coming from Santa Rosa, CA, she lived in La Plata, MD since 1977. Member of La Plata Baptist Church. Loved taking care of and spending time with family. She was a homemaker. Wife of the late Cecil Oscar Showalter. Daughter of the late James Ralph and Josephine Pruett. Mother of Jo Anne Short of La Plata, MD, John Pruett Showalter of Ketchan, AK and the late James Clifford Showalter; Sister of Benjamin Pruett of Bellingham, WA; Mother-in-law of Ray Short of La Plata, MD, Christie Showalter of Ketchan, AK, and Diane Showalter of Santa Rosa, CA. Also survived by 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, 1 great great grandchild. Preceded in death by 2 sisters and 1 brother. Graveside services will be held June 8, 2000 at 11:00 a.m. at Sebastopol Memorial Gardens, Sebastopol, CA. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Charles Co., P.O. Box 1703, La Plata, MD 20646. Arrangements by AREHART-ECHOLS FUNERAL HOME, La Plata, MD.

Sources

1. ↑ "California Birth Index, 1905-1995," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VGKC-372 : 27 November 2014), Carrol E Pruett (incorrectly indexed of Caryl E Pruett), 19 Aug 1908; citing Alameda, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento.
2. ↑ "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MLYX-LWY : accessed 17 June 2018), Canil E Pruett in household of James R Pruett, Bellfountain, Benton, Oregon, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 13, sheet 1B, family 15, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1278; FHL microfilm 1,375,291.
3. ↑ "The City and Vicinity" Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon). 09 Mar 1910, Wednesday Page 3 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/21050914/corvallis_gazettetimes/
4. ↑ "Mainly About People". Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon). 3 Aug 1912, Tuesday Page 2 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10912774/corvallis_gazettetimes/
5. ↑ "Irish Bend: Landmarks Fade, Loyalties Cling Dear." Corvallis Gazette Times. March 17, 2006. Accessed June 18, 2018. https://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/irish-bend-landmarks-fade-loyalties-cling-dear/article_c6b68bef-e8dc-5837-8fce-f359d704750d.html.
6. ↑ "People --- Events", Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon), Thursday, March 16, 1916, p. 3, col 4, for "Miss Caryl Pruett"; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 6 Sep 2017).
7. ↑ "People --- Events", Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon), Saturday, January 18, 1919 p. 4, col 2, for "Takes California Position Ralph J. Pruett"; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 6 Sep 2017).
8. ↑ "People --- Events", Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon), Thursday, May 13, 1920, p. 3, col 4, for "Return from California"; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 6 Sep 2017).
9. ↑ "United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MH3Y-JCV : accessed 18 June 2018), Caroyl Pruett in household of Ralph Pruett, Trinidad, Humboldt, California, United States; citing ED 71, sheet 1A, line 31, family 9, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 99; FHL microfilm 1,820,099.
10. ↑ "Crannell, California." Wikipedia. June 16, 2018. Accessed June 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crannell,_California.
11. ↑ "Pruetts in Santa Rosa. Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon). 19 Nov 1925, Thursday Page 3. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10908836/corvallis_gazettetimes/?xid=637
12. ↑ "Pruetts Leave", Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon), Monday, June 10, 1929, p. 3, col 3, for "Josephine and Caryl Pruett return to California after Caryl's Graduation and Ellen's death."; digital images, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com : accessed 31 Aug 2017).
13. ↑ "Pruetts Leave". Corvallis Gazette-Times (Corvallis, Oregon). 10 Jun 1929, Monday. Main Edition, Page 3. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10908965/corvallis_gazettetimes/?xid=637
14. ↑ "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCJW-1D8 : accessed 18 June 2018), Caryl E Pruett in household of James R Pruett, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 65, sheet 2B, line 72, family 50, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 222; FHL microfilm 2,339,957.
15. ↑ "Marriage Licenses". The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California). 12 Jun 1934, Tuesday Page 4 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11688346/the_press_democrat/?xid=637
16. ↑ "T.N.T. Class Enjoys Evening at J. R. Pruett Home". The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) 17 Oct 1936, Saturday. Page 6 (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/10980753/the_press_democrat/?xid=637
17. ↑ "Church of One Tree." Wikipedia. June 10, 2018. Accessed June 18, 2018. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_One_Tree.
18. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K96Z-S3L : accessed 18 June 2018), Caryl Showalter in household of Cecil Showalter, Ward 9, Santa Rosa, Santa Rosa Judicial Township, Sonoma, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 49-46, sheet 6A, line 11, family 152, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 350.
19. ↑ California, Death Index, 1940-1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: State of California. California Death Index, 1940-1997. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.

    Name: Josephine B Pruett

    [Josephine B Benham]

    Gender: Female

    Birth Date: 4 Feb 1886

    Birth Place: Minnesota

    Death Date: 27 Dec 1948

    Death Place: Sonoma

    Mother's Maiden Name: White

    Father's Surname: Benham

20. ↑ Title: Santa Rosa, California, City Directory, 1949. Ancestry.com. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, pg. 213.
21. ↑ "Baptist Guilds Mother-Daughter Mother-Daughter Mother-Daughter Banquet Is Held". The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California). 21 May 1951, Monday Page 10. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/11689284/the_press_democrat/?xid=637
22. ↑ California, Death Index, 1940-1997 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. State of California. California Death Index, 1940-1997. Sacramento, CA, USA: State of California Department of Health Services, Center for Health Statistics.

    Name: James Ralph Pruett

    Gender: Male

    Birth Date: 14 May 1878

    Birth Place: Oregon

    Death Date: 16 Nov 1952

    Death Place: Sonoma

    Mother's Maiden Name: Buckingham

    Father's Surname: Pruett

23. ↑ "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VPCK-L49 : 26 November 2014), Cecil O Showalter, 02 Oct 1973; Department of Public Health Services, Sacramento.

    Name Cecil O Showalter

    Event Type Death

    Event Date 02 Oct 1973

    Event Place Sonoma, California, United States

    Birth Date 07 Nov 1908

    Birthplace California

    Gender Male

24. ↑ "United States Social Security Death Index," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V3L9-D6L : 20 May 2014), Caryl E Showalter, born 19 Aug 1908, died 03 Jun 2000; citing U.S. Social Security Administration, Death Master File, database (Alexandria, Virginia: National Technical Information Service, ongoing).
25. ↑ "SHOWALTER, Caryl Ellen". The Press Democrat (Santa Rosa, California) 6 June 2000 Tuesday.
26. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 June 2018), memorial page for Caryl Ellen Pruett Showalter (19 Aug 1908–3 Jun 2000), Find A Grave Memorial no. 180353529, citing Sebastopol Memorial Lawn Cemetery, Sebastopol, Sonoma County, California, USA ; Maintained by sophie bourbilleres-showalter (contributor 47118368) .