Two Durham cousins pass away

Two elderly Durham cousins passed away in August.

Daisy (Durham) McGuire of Cedar Falls, Iowa – formerly of Chadron, Nebraska – died August 20th at the Western Home Communities Health Center in Cedar Falls. It was just one day after her 91st birthday.

Nine days later (8/29/09), in Spearfish, South Dakota, 90-year-old Merle (Durham) Wolfskill – a life-long resident of Crook County, Wyoming – passed away.

Daisy Durham McGuire was born August 19,1918 in rural Chadron. She was the daughter of Harold and Elsie (Grimm) Durham. Her cousin, Merle Durham Wolfskill, was born to Tom and Ada (Bear) Durham on their homestead near Seeley, Wyoming, on May 4, 1919.

Harold and Tom Durham were brothers.

Above is a photograph of the Tom and Ada Durham family, probably taken in the late 1930s. Merle is shown on the far left; then her mother, Ada; her brother, Gale; and father, Tom. Gail Durham was killed in action during World War II fighting in France.

Unfortunately we have no similar photo of the McGuire family. We are posting links to the obituaries of both Daisy McGuire and Merle Wolfskill. To see some other photos of the Durham family, you can visit our Maiden-Durham Gallery.

A 4-generation Maiden photograph

This is one of our favorite photographs -- a superb four-generation photo of Joseph Maiden and three of his descendants. Therein is the problem, since we don't know when or where the photograph was taken -- or who those descendants are. We do know that Joseph was a half uncle to William Joseph Maiden -- born near Chadron, Nebraska in 1886. Our best guess is that the lady seated in front here is Joeseph's second daughter, Sara Jane (Maiden) Zering Derrick Martin. The younger gentleman standing would be her son, Roy Martin, and Roy's son -- unnamed -- is at left in front.

Regrettably, these identifications are only suppositions, but perhaps someone will happen across this photograph and be able to assist us in identifying those in the picture with greater certainty. This photograph was probably taken sometime in the 1920s. You may click on the photo to see a larger image.

A Linklater - Durham link?

We’ve grown a bit weary of brick walls in family research.

However, on-line solicitations for assistance can sometimes help to level the playing field; so here’s our latest challenge. Perhaps someone will happen across this plea for help!

The card above was postmarked August 27, 1913 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and sent to Leota Weston in Hulett, Wyoming, c/o “Durhams.” The text of the message says:

"Dear Mrs. Weston: …hope you get this card. I did not get a chance to see you before I left. How’s the S.S. getting along. Wish I was out there with you again cause I miss all of you. With love, Claudia. 836 N. Minn. Ave., S.F."

My question is simply: Might this card be from Claudia Johnson, who would wed Henry Sidney Lawrence Linklater in 1920? They settled in Crook County Wyoming and had at least two children – Claude Arthur Linklater and Harriet May Linklater.

Harriet married Hank Maiden in 1947. Hank was the son of Leota (Durham) Weston Maiden – recipient of the above postcard.

That the card was, indeed, written by Claudia (Johnson) Linklater seems to be a likely scenario, but it’s not a certainty. Anyone who might be able to shed some light on our dilemma is encouraged to contact us by posting a comment below. Many thanks!

Drullinger family circa 1936

This is believed to be the family of Claude C. "Jack" Drullinger (at right) of Chadron, Nebraska, probably around 1936, although there's no date or other identification with the photo. I believe it may have been taken at the 50th birthday celebration for William J. Maiden at the Maiden homestead on White River about 14 miles northeast of Chadron, Nebraska. Here's the link to the Maiden line: Jack was married to Martha Durham, whose sister, Leota Durham, married William Joseph Maiden in December of 1915.

You can find a bit more information about the Drullingers and Durhams -- as well as the Maidens -- by visiting our on-line database. It's a fairly comprehensive collection of data from all of the many family lines we're research. Among others, it includes these key surnames: Miller, Maiden, Durham, Eckerdt, Derrick, Galey, Cunningham, Thompson, and Milleson. If you visit our Galey and Miller Family History site, we include a few pictures and other information.

If you can help us identify any or all of the individuals in this photo, please drop us an email at galey@rushmore.com

Thanks!

Marlin Matthew Mosley obituary

The following obituary appeared in the Sheridan (WY) Press on December 31, 2008.

Marlin M. Mosley, 33, of Casper, formerly of Sheridan, died of natural causes Friday, Dec. 26, 2008, in Casper. Visitation will be 1-4 p.m. Friday at Kane Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Saturday at Ranchester Community Church with Pastor Jeff Browning officiating.

Born Sept. 8, 1975, in Sheridan to Bob and Sandra Mosley, he was known to family and friends as "Bouncer" or "Bounce." He grew up and attended school in Gillette. He attended trade school to become a mud engineer and worked in the Wyoming oil fields. He enjoyed spending time with his children, camping, fishing, and motorized dirt biking.

Survivors include three children, Layne, Marlayna and Daltyn, all of Gillette; his mother, Sandra Love Jolley, and stepfather, Ed, of Sheridan; his father of New Mexico; a grandmother, Betty Love Jolovich of Dayton; six siblings, Marla, Rus, Becky, Bobby, Jessica, and Jayne; five stepsisters, Debbie, Syna, Laurie, Eydie, and Marjorie Jolley; and several nieces and nephews

More sad news...

We regret to report another death within the Maiden family line.

News was received this week regarding the death of 33-year-old Marlin Matthew Mosley of Casper, Wyoming, son of Sandra (Love) Mosley Jolley of Sheridan. He passed away in Casper of natural causes on December 26, 2008. He was a grandson of Betty (Maiden) Love Jolovich of Dayton, Wyoming.

Funeral services for Marlin Mosley will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, January 3, 2009, at the Ranchester Community Church on with Pastor Jeff Browning officiating. A visitation was scheduled earlier at Kane Funeral Home.

Injury, illness and death have been far too prevalent in Sandra's family over the past few months. We'll keep Sandra and her family in our prayers as they deal with these difficult times.

Ric Crosby (1950-2008)

We were saddened to learn that Richard “Ric” Crosby – husband of Dorothea (Dee Dee) Maiden Crosby – has died in Woodbridge, Virginia, after a long illness.

Richard D. Crosby III was a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army, Infantry. He died July 10, 2008 at the age of 57 after a long illness. His funeral was at the Fort Myer (VA) Old Post Chapel; he was buried July 28th with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C. In addition to his wife Dee Dee, Colonel Crosby is survived by a daughter, Andrea Young, and son, Richard D. Crosby IV; his parents, Colonel (R) Richard and Ann Crosby; a sister, Jennifer McCormick, and brothers Dr. Michael Crosby and LTC Jonathan Crosby.

A touching collection of Crosby photographs – showing Ric from his childhood to becoming an adult – can be found at a special website entitled Warhog07. It is replete with tributes, anecdotes, and other memorabilia commemorating Ric's life. Richard Crosby and Dorothea Maiden were married August 4, 1979 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Ric’s father, too, was a career Army officer. Dee Dee Maiden is the daughter of the late Hank and Harriet (Linklater) Maiden, who also traveled the globe during Hank’s career in the Army.

The only time it was my good fortune to meet Ric was when my son Brad and I journeyed to Europe for a couple of weeks in 1984 and were able to visit Ric, Dee Dee, and their young family when they were stationed in Germany. They were kind enough to allow us to stay with them for a day or two during our travels. They were a delightful family, and we have fond memories of our visit.

While our thoughts and prayers have been with cousin Dee Dee and her family, all of us can appreciate the warmth, humor and love contained in the eulogy delivered by Ric’s brother, Michael.