Genealogy

Letters

Helen “Ella” Augusta (Wood) and Albert Jackson “Bert” Stage were my great-grandparents. They came from farmers and domestics but were literate, and we are lucky that someone decided to hold on to some of their letters.

The originals passed to their eldest daughter, Tessie Viola (Stage) Darcy, then to her eldest daughter, Dorothy (Darcy) Thurston.

At some point, my mom, Beatrice Helen (Ruppel) Shengulette — first cousin to Dorothy — took up the mantle of family genealogist and acquired transcriptions of the letters. I have converted those copies to HTML and added inline notes to clarify who’s who with the benefit of the internet and the sleuthing skills of my wife, Kathy.

My mom and grandmother knew many of these people personally and provided many notes. Sadly, Nellie (Stage) Ruppel passed in the mid-70s and my mom passed in 2015.

There are two entries in the list that predate the others by 20 years. These were letters from Helen’s father, Samuel T. Wood, to Helen’s mother, Mary Elizabeth (Ganoung) Wood. Samuel was a latecomer to the Civil War, but while enlisted he contracted an illness that led to his death before Helen was born. Mary submitted his letters to a broker while seeking his pension, and we later recovered them via military records requests. These are not fully transcribed… yet; the PDFs are really hard to read. 

Letters Archive

Family Mentioned

Nancy Arney John Carey Helen Colegrove Guy Coontz Hazel Coontz Jesse Coontz William Coontz Grace Ford Cora Funk Little Bert/Bert Ganoung John Ganoung Margery Ganoung Mary Ganoung Liss/Lissa Ganoung Sarah Ganoung Sarah Ganoung Catharine Joline Mary Knapp Thank Knights Chloe Lattin Helen Mekeel Levi Mekeel Mahala Merritt Bert Owen Sam Owen Harrison Redding Renzo Redding Charley Reynolds Edith Reynolds Will Saylor Arad Smith Louisa Smith Ada Stage Bert/AJ Stage Maude Stage Blanche Stage Charly Stage Clara Stage Ed Stage Lib Stage Elma Stage Elmer Stage Emery Stage Everett Stage Florence Stage Freddie Stage Ida Stage Isaac Stage John Stage John Stage Kate Stage Leigh Stage Maria Stage Emma Stage Mary Stage Nellie Stage Sarah Stage Stella Stage Tessie Stage Estella/Stella Stage Henry Tensler Fanny Torpy Andy Willoughby Cecil Willoughby Finley Willoughby Johnny Willoughby Charley Wood George Wood Helen/Ella Wood Herb/Bert Wood Homer Wood Mate Wood Mary Wood Samuel Wood Kate Wood Harry Wood

>▶Others Mentioned

Eunice Brewster Bert Buck Frank Buck Leon Buck Edy Cogswell Sadie/Saley Culver Emma Darling Stephen Darling Perry Dawson Sophie Doty Freem Dyke Frances Faulkner Susan Faust Lyman Frost Stillman Frost Maria Hart Liz/Liza/Lib/Libby? Hecathorn George Hecathorn Dan Hendrickson Lura Higley Lucy Higley Esther Holly Lottie Hyatt Mary Kelly Andrew Knowlton Lew/Louie Knowlton Lynn Knowlton Ell Lanigan Mary Lanigan Morgan Lawless Flora Love Jennie McKinley Guy Milspaugh Orris Mudge Elisha Nash Mabel Nash Horace Packer Andy Rentschler Clara Reynolds George Ridgeway Walter Roe Adele Rowley Ed Rundell John Seeds Carrie Smith Orson Smith Bessie Straight Ammi Taylor Em Taylor Daisy, the bird Fred, the bird Andrew Thetge Loutie Thetge Louie Thetge Dennison Thomas Ruth Van Loon Sallie Willoughby

Touchstones Mentioned

Havana RenamedHavana Renamed The Village of Havana, NY, officially changed its name to Montour Falls in 1893 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montour_Falls,_New_York Woman in BlackWoman in Black Classic urban legend about a darkly-clad woman who appears mysteriously in windows or dimly lit areas, generally scaring lone pedestrians. One reference indicates it was still a thing (or became a thing again) in 1906. Of course, there's the Daniel Radcliffe film from 2012. https://shermanroom.omeka.net/oldposts Johnstown FloodJohnstown Flood 2208 people died when the South Fork Dam on the Conemaugh River failed on Friday, May 31, 1888. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johnstown_Flood PensionPension Samuel T. Wood mustered in at Elmira, NY on February 25, 1865. He mustered out at Elmira, NY on May 3, 1865. General Lee surrendered to General Grant at Appomattoz on April 6, 1865. That's about a month and a half in barracks without seeing battle. Unfortunately, early in his enlistment he contracted the illness that eventually took his life shortly before his last child, my great-grandmother Helen, was born. Through a 2025 military records request we learned that Mary (Ganoung) Wood eventually was awarded the pension. Poverty HillPoverty Hill Poverty Hill is now Prospect Road in Mansfield, PA. Thanks to Joyce M. Tice's great site. https://www.joycetice.com/books/1957ch02.htm Pickle HillPickle Hill See Joyce Tice's site. https://www.joycetice.com/articles/hills.htm The Cigar ShopThe Cigar Shop The young ladies in this crew all seem to work at a cigar factory. From Google AI - In the 1890s, Mansfield, PA (Richland County), was a major hub for cigar production, featuring 17 active factories and producing millions of cigars annually. Key industry figures included Hautzenroeder & Company, which was the largest employer, and JA Rigby, who expanded from distributing to operating factories, sourcing tobacco from as far as Cuba. Washington Court House RiotWashington Court House Riot From Wikipedia - On October 16, 1894, a crowd gathered outside the Fayette County Courthouse with intent to lynch William "Jasper" Dolby, a black man who had been convicted of sexually assaulting a white woman. Ohio Governor William McKinley called out the militia to subdue the crowd. On October 17, the crowd rushed the courthouse doors and was warned to "disperse or be fired upon." They ignored the warning and continued to batter the doors. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Court_House,_Ohio#1894_riot 1893 Chicago World's Fair1893 Chicago World's Fair Held May 1, 1893 – Oct 30, 1893. It would be fascinating to see the prize-winning photo. https://worldsfairchicago1893.com/ Old Village Churchyard (song)Old Village Churchyard (song) Popular English folksong that emerged in the mid-1600s. There are hundreds of versions, but John Stage presents a version in one of these letters. It's curious because his wife passes in November, but he's mourning her loss months earlier. Was she out of the home for the last months of her life?

>▶ Under Investigation

Min KelloggMin Kellogg Min short for Minnie, Minerva? Has a relationship to a Doc Kellogg and likely one with "Elias" (unknown #1) She's in Odesssa circa 1885 Doc KelloggDoc Kellogg Some relation to Min.His wife was buried September 15, 1885. Mrs BurgeMrs Burge Mate Wood is returning "home" to Odessa in November of 1885 to work for Mrs. Burge. Mate is 32 years old in 1885. Mrs WickhamMrs Wickham Neighbor of Sarah Owen. Found various census records for the Wickhams but no one living "next door" to any Owens yet. Ruth VanArtRuth VanArt Letter from Louie Thetge. Encounter with Ruth is relayed to let Helen know that she won't have to start work until a week from Monday. Ostensibly extending her time staying with Aunt Sarah. Our friend EllaOur friend Ella We make a lot of Ella Lanigan assumptions. Could be. Might just go with that. Mrs BMrs B I would bet this is Mrs Burge who is mentioned in Sarah Owen's letter. Odessa and Montour Falls (Havana) are 3.4 miles apart. Aunt Sarah and Mate might well run into the same people, especially those close to the family. Mrs NortonMrs Norton Lura Thetge is staying with her baby in April of 1889 in Mansfield. Goldie CampballGoldie Campball Laid off from the stripping room in late March/early April 1889 Rose NewhartRose Newhart Laid off from the stripping room in late March/early April 1889 Hattie StoneHattie Stone Laid off from the stripping room in late March/early April 1889 Nellie MonkNellie Monk Converted and baptized, late March/early April 1889 Mrs ShawMrs Shaw A woman for whom Mary E Wood sews in late March/early April 1889. Says "she don't sit up yet" so perhaps she just had a baby. Mr BarnesMr Barnes Paid Mary E Wood that half dollar (he owed her?) Unknown ClarkeUnknown Clarke Baby is very sick Ed UnknownEd Unknown Told Aunt Saley that she was snooping around as while she picked up "enough to keep house with". Will UnknownWill Unknown Need a Will in Mansfield, about whom Helen would care that he liked his overcoat. To me that implies he's at most in her peer generation. I am starting with Will Reynolds. He's born in Michigan in 1880 (to Kate Wood, Helen's sister). By 1882 the family is back in the Tioga County, PA area. Mrs DunhamMrs Dunham dies ~04/89 Mate is living with some set of Dunhams Mrs. NoltonMrs. Nolton Is Mrs Nolton the same as Mary Nolton? Orson SmithOrson Smith ME Wood was working for Orson Smith for 3 weeks. Seems like it would be "out of town". Orson Smith lives near Arad Smith. Grace LenaGrace Lena Staying with ME Wood in May 1889 ShalersShalers Next sewing job in May 1889 CaplesCaples Another of the next sewing jobs in May 1889. Msst WhiteMsst White Won't pay ME Wood for work in May 1889 Frand LognbothamFrand Lognbotham ME Wood went to him/her to help get money from Msst White in May 1889 Anna MyresAnna Myres Left Mansfield for Greenwood to work April-May 1889 Fred LambFred Lamb "Bert, your horse barn has moved way down to Fred Lamb's" (after the Johnstown flood). Lambs Creek named after the Lamb family? Mrs Man/MannMrs Man/Mann ME Wood has to go to her house to sew in July of 1889 due to broken machine. Clint UnknownClint Unknown Current occupant (July 1889) of a house once occupied by Kate (Wood) Reynolds and her family. Need to know a trail of Reynolds' family locales. Maria TompkinsMaria Tompkins She's recently deceased in Mate's Sep 1, 1889 letter from Havana (Montour Falls) Mrs Burr Baily/BaileyMrs Burr Baily/Bailey ME Wood did sewing for her in later summer 1889. Dayton's FolksDayton's Folks Dayton's folks got a boy, so somebody just had a baby ON JULY 4, 1889. C'mon, we gotta be able to find a Dayton born in Mansfield on that date (... unless he didn't make it). SadeSade Mentioned with Edy Unknown (from the people list). If we ever find Edy... Any chance it's Sadilla Culver Dyke? I think they're in the area in 1889. Chet BaileyChet Bailey Tied to Mrs Bailey, but perhaps not married and she's Mrs Burr Bailey. ME Wood does work for him for a week in Oct 1889. Clarence CholesClarence Choles mid-Oct 1889 asked how Bert Stage was getting on out there (in Ohio) Kate SmithKate Smith ME Wood tied a comforter for her the week after the fair (Sep/Oct 1889) Guess we can see if we can get those fair dates. Elmer UnknownElmer Unknown It's an Elmer that Bert knows (from either OH or PA) who has moved to Iowa twice, second time in late 1889. Could be Elmer Stage, but need to connect those geographic dots. Mrs DeckerMrs Decker Lives on Poverty Hill Ede UnknownEde Unknown Not the same as Edy Unknown, as the latter is mentioned twice in the same Jan 10, 1890 letter Unknown CogsmierUnknown Cogsmier Recent sewing client of ME Wood (1890-01-10). Lives up a hill. Got Religion in 1889Got Religion in 1889 Baptist Revival was big here: Mell Strait, John Bixley, Fent Allen, Bill Willson, Wellt Smith, Bill Lorenc, Gill Welch, Kate Smith, Dan Wood Emma (Campbell?)Emma (Campbell?) Always paired in "Emma and Goldie Campbell" Mr DavisMr Davis Recently married in Jan 1890 and setting off to work his farm on Pickel Hill Walter WatkinsWalter Watkins Relatively now boss at the shop (assuming cigar factory) in Jan 1890. Married. Maggie and EdMaggie and Ed Ella Lanigan is living with them in Mansfield in Jan 1890. Apparently a rental situation in a place they run. Bert and WinnieBert and Winnie They say to Kiss Tessie for them. Jan 1890. Mansfield. Frank Buck's wifeFrank Buck's wife She's recently passed in Jan 1890. She left behind a 3-week old baby, who was taken by Auntie (Frank's mother). Frank remarries and has more kids right away. The baby never returns to census records. Assuming the worst. Cannot find record of Frank's first marriage, either. Ant Jessey SmithAnt Jessey Smith ME Wood stayed with her while she had the grip. Sat Jan 18- Thr Jan 23, 1890. The duration of the stay makes me think it's a road trip to NY. Mrs JakeMrs Jake Stayed with ME Wood while she was sick, Sat Jan 25, 1890. Edd SwanEdd Swan Mansfield Neighbor. Brings wood while ME Wood is sick in Jam 1890. Kate OrsonKate Orson Helped out while ME Wood was sick in Jan 1890. Mate Wood works for the Orsons starting March 30, 1890. Helen Unknown(/Orson?)Helen Unknown(/Orson?) Came along with Kate Orson in Jan 1890 to help while ME Wood was sick. Elder PalmerElder Palmer He, or rather his house, comes up as a reference point to say where ME Wood is living in late Feb 1890. Will ReynoldsWill Reynolds Possible relation to Charley&Kate Reynolds. Seen "up town", whatever that means in Feb 1890. He may be the same Will (Unknown) who "gets religion" later in the Feb 27 letter. Uncle BennittUncle Bennitt Does not seem like a nice guy. What we know for sure is that as of Feb 27 1890 he's dead. Now who is he? It's a letter from ME Wood to Bert and Helen Stage. Lived near Charley Wood or Charley Reynolds. Pension Agent AllcottPension Agent Allcott ME Wood is considering using him in Feb of 1890. Mrs SwanMrs Swan pension agent Allcott was working to have Mrs Swan as a client in Feb 1890 Will UnknownWill Unknown I think it's Will Reynolds, mentioned earlier in the same letter. Bears checking. Birt IvesBirt Ives Feb 27 1890 letter says he and his people are moving to Seattle or may have already moved. Rose VanArtRose VanArt Apr 1890 inquires if Helen got her letter from a while ago.. Likely connected to Ruth VanArt Mrs MyresMrs Myres Recently married again (Apr 1890). Possible connection to Anna Myres? Bo BalenBo Balen Has been very sick but is getting better as John Stage writes his letter in April 1891. Uncle Bill DartUncle Bill Dart Gets doctor for Ida Stage in July 1891. Mr AnkramMr Ankram Aug 1891 - he's going to send papers for Helen Stage. BettieBettie Aug 1891 - giving Ida "some blocks for your quilt." (Helen's quilt) Sallie BollinSallie Bollin Looks well in Aug 1891 Related to Bo Balen. I don't believe they live by a Balen AND a Bollin. Gorg UnknownGorg Unknown Runs the mill near Mt Sterling Ohio in Aug 1891 Wm GrovesWm Groves Ran the mill before "Gorg". Uncle HenryUncle Henry Uncle to Emma Darling, In Oct 1891 he's connected to the machinations of ME Wood's pension request. Henry UnknownHenry Unknown In the context of Emma Darling's Oct 1891 letter, he's connected to her Uncle Henry. Rosa WhitingRosa Whiting Nov 1891 - she works for the Redding family in Ohio. Martha DavisMartha Davis Dec 5, 1891 - she's recently passed. Ida and Clara went to the burial. This and just the standalone instruction to tell Bert, indicates a closeness to the Stage siblings. Frank UnknownFrank Unknown Dec 1891 - Aunt Helen and Frank sat up while Ida was sick. Aunt Helen is not familiar Aunt Helen Stage (because she's in NY/PA at this time, Ida even asks of her in the letter). So, a different Aunt Helen with an association to a Frank. Mrs AnkromMrs Ankrom Neighbor of Ida. No doubt tied to Mr. Ankram from John Stage's letter. Tom UnknownTom Unknown Dec 1891 - came down to relay that Kate Coontz and the kids were all sick. Em BaggarEm Baggar Buried on Dec 9, 1891, Darbyville. Lottie DickLottie Dick Buried on Dec 10, 1891, Darbyville. Dr MillerDr Miller Dec 1891 - wants to check on Nellie if Helen Stage ever returns. Clarence UnknownClarence Unknown Not Clarence Choles (a PA person). Possibly the postman - Dec 1891. Aunt Helen UnknownAunt Helen Unknown With Frank, comes to sit with Ida while she's sick in Dec 1891. James Grable and Rick WhitesideJames Grable and Rick Whiteside late 1891 Rick sells his farm to James in or near Mt Sterling, Madison Co., OH. Freem Dyke's wife's babyFreem Dyke's wife's baby We don't have enough babyies for this couple. Our tree has three: Clayton, Colie (Goldie?) and Martha. Freem's obit mentions a few more: Mattie Cleveland, Goldie, Reuben, Clyde and Edith... Colie and Martha NOT in the obit. Freem did remarry (Asa/Ava Cleveland) Matee RipleyMatee Ripley May/Jun 1893 - ME Wood spent a week at her place. AdeAde Jun 21 1893 - friend of Mate Wood? Tomana LandisTomana Landis Takes Ida Stage to a dance in July of 1894 Mollie Polling Mollie Polling Aug 1894 - Ida is making her a dress. I am more than a little skeptical of Balen, Bollen, Polling as separate last names (versus spelling transcription errors). ThorntonsThorntons Aug 1894 - Stella is working for the Thorntons.Apparently she's there during the week and has weekends off to come home. Stella is 16 at this point. List of the August 1894 dead in OhioList of the August 1894 dead in Ohio Crick Davis, Clint Bertrand's wife, Ola Wheeler, Mollie Winfough, Clara Wandell Minnie UnknownMinnie Unknown Aug 1894 - She came up to wherever Ida was and shopped for Clara and Andy's kids (and had their photo taken). Minnie tied to Clara and Andy Willoughby. Wes UnknownWes Unknown Nov 1894 - Bert Stage paid Wes money for something related to an Ohio deed that Elmer Stage is trying to handle for him while apparently working against Lib and Henry Tensler. Unknown DarlingUnknown Darling Nov 1894 - This is probably a Darling we already know (Emma, Henry, etc.) Bert sends money to Wes related to his Ohio deed. Wes gets it to Lib Tensler and Lib pays ? Darling, all without Elmer's knowledge. Elmer is not happy about all this. Ohio Housing Transactions JJan 1895Ohio Housing Transactions JJan 1895 Ed - assuming Edward T Stage, so far - has moved in the hous Wher Ken Clark lived. Ken moved in the saWmil house. Eds Son-en-law - The Edward T Stage assumption breaks down a little here as Ed's only son-in-law would be Henry Tensler, and he has using Henry's name in earlier letters - moved in Jims Harpers house Wher Harper lived and Harper moved hear. Jane UnknownJane Unknown Lambs Creek, PA - Jane came to visit Helen Stage on Valentine's Day (post Fred Stage birth).