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Dear
Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery,
Today was an absolutely gorgeous day up at the cemetery - lots of sunshine, and fall colors all along the drive up. Eight of us gathered at Spring Hill to get the cemetery cleaned up, ready for winter.
The first thing we saw when we arrived at the cemetery was a huge downed tree limb (first attachment) that had fallen on top of "McReynolds Row." Luckily no stones were damaged. Jerry headed up a group of us to chop up and remove the limb. He did a great job (second attachment), and we were able to get the area back to normal.
Others of the group tackled raking the very leaf-strewn paths (third attachment), hauling debris, and filling the dump truck (fourth attachment). Brad was on headstone cleaning duty (fifth and sixth attachments). We left the cemetery in great shape for winter.
In other news, I have at last been able to connect our Whitcomb burials to the Lowrey/Stump/Ford Spring Hill family group (last attachment). Almost all of the burials at the cemetery align into interconnected family groupings. There are very few unrelated ones that we have yet to connect. Some of these connections are hard to find - as in this case. Hiram Martin Whitcomb was born in Mendocino County in 1865, the eldest of 6 children. He was a farmer as was his father. He and his father migrated down to Sonoma County where Hiram Martin married a local girl, Elsie Irene Shuster, around 1895. In the 1898 California Great Register, Daniel and his father, Orrin, were farming in the Freestone area - and his father listed his occupation as minister. Elsie and Hiram Martin had two children, Ora May born in 1897, and Hiram Daniel, born in 1899. In the 1900 Sonoma County Census, Elsie and the two small children were listed in the household with Elsie's parents in Vallejo township, perhaps for help with her very young children? I have been unable to find Hiram Martin Whitcomb or his father in the 1900 census. Hiram Martin Whitcomb's headstone is no longer visible in the cemetery, but according to the DAR records, Hiram Martin died in 1902 and was buried in Spring Hill Cemetery. Now comes the connection to the Lowrey line - Hiram Martin Whitcomb's widow, Elsie, married George Washington Shuster - son of John Shuster and Sara Emeline Lowrey. Elsie married thirdly Elisha Henry. Elsie had multiple children from all three of her marriages. Hiram Martin and Elsie's son, Hiram Daniel Whitcomb, is considered to be the first Sonoma county WWI soldier to die.
July 1917 Press Democrat:
PR. WHITCOMB IS FIRST SOLDIER TO MEET DEATH
Sebastopol Youth, Enlisted in Infantry, Called at Fort McDowell to the Colors Above.
Private Whitcomb, a Sebastopol youth who enlisted recently in the infantry at the call of his country died Friday night at Fort McDowell. The cause of death was presumed following an attack of measles. The soldier lad who was a little past eighteen years of age, was the son of Mrs. Elsie Henry, and a stepson of Mr. Henry of Sebastopol. Word was sent to the military authorities at the fort to have the remains sent to Sebastopol to the Joyaux undertaking parlors. The bereaved family have the sincerest sympathy in their hour of sorrow. This is the first death hereabouts incident to the war.
Today's workday was the last of 2015. We hope to start back up on Friday, February 26th. Other 2016 workdays are: April 8, June 3, August 5, September 30 and November 18. Mark your calendars - hope to see you there.
Wishing you all a very joyous holiday season.
Best Regards,
Sue
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