FAMOUS AND INFAMOUS RELATIVES
Compiled by Glenn Gohr
Here is a listing of some prominent relatives of mine. Most are what some people call shirt-tail relatives, but I still claim them. Wouldn’t you?? In a few cases the exact blood link is unknown (although DNA seems to support a kinship), so it seems likely that I do have a connection. Some of these are well-known and famous, and others are infamous.
Then, I have a second grouping of “relatives” who are people with the same last name as my relatives or else the kinship (if any) is unknown. The second grouping might be called “wannabe” relatives. They are listed here.
OUTLAW ARTHUR “DOC” BARKER (1899-1939). One of the sons of Kate “Ma” Barker, he was part of the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang. Arthur Barker became Alcatraz inmate 268-AZ in 1936. He tried to escape and was shot and killed by the guards. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Colma, California and a cenotaph can be found next to his parents and brothers in Welch, Oklahoma. He is related to the Sewell family through his mother. For more information on the Sewell family, see my SEWELL/SOWELL GENEALOGY Page.
OUTLAW FRED BARKER (1901-1935). One of the sons of Kate “Ma” Barker, he was part of the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang. FBI Agents discovered the hideout of Ma Barker and her son, Fred, and surrounded the house the morning of January 16, 1935. Ordered to surrender, the two Barkers decided to fight it out, and were killed in the subsequent gun battle. Fred is related to the Sewell family through his mother. For more information on the Sewell family, see my SEWELL/SOWELL GENEALOGY Page.
OUTLAW HERMAN BARKER (1893-1927). The oldest son of Kate “Ma” Barker, he was part of the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang. On 18 March 1949, his wife shot and killed him in their home in Westminster, Colorado. He is related to the Sewell family through his mother. For more information on the Sewell family, see my SEWELL/SOWELL GENEALOGY Page.
OUTLAW KATE “MA” BARKER (1873-1935). Kate “Ma” Barker (Her birth name was Arizona Donnie Clark) was the mother of several criminals who ran the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang, which became notorious for their crimes in the Midwest during the 1930s. Though her children were undoubtedly criminals and their Barker-Karpis Gang committed a spree of robberies, kidnappings, and other crimes in the 1930s, the popular image of her as the gang's leader and its criminal mastermind has been found in error. She must have known what was going on, but she was not the mastermind. “Ma” Barker’s parents were John and Emaline (Parker) Clark who lived in Greene County, Missouri, and Emaline was the daughter of John and Anna Jane (Sewell) Parker. Anna Jane Sewell was from Tennessee and ties back to my family of Sewells that lived in McNairy County, Tennessee. For more information on the Sewell family, see my SEWELL/SOWELL GENEALOGY Page.
OUTLAW LLOYD “RED” BARKER (1897-1949). One of the sons of Kate “Ma” Barker, he was part of the infamous Barker-Karpis Gang. After being badly wounded in a gunfight in Wichita, Kansas, which lasted for hours, Herman turned his gun on himself and committed suicide. He is related to the Sewell family through his mother. For more information on the Sewell family, see my SEWELL/SOWELL GENEALOGY Page.
REVEREND TOMMY BILYEU (1940-2011). Tommy pastored churches at Spokane, Highlandville, Springfield, Battlefield and Ozark before becoming the pastor at Riverdale Church south of Nixa, Missouri in 1973 and remained in that capacity until his death. In 1970. Tommy was hired by his wife Joan’s brothers to be the Master of Ceremonies for the Baldknobber Show in Branson, which they had started in 1959. For two decades he was the Baldknobbers’ emcee — known by his stage name, "Preachin’ Tom" and also sang and played guitar, fiddle, bass and banjo on the show. In addition, two years after joining the Baldknobbers, Tommy was elected Christian County assessor and would serve in that capacity for 28 years before retiring. One slogan that appeared on bumper stickers when he was serving as County Assessor was “Tried and True, Tommy Bilyeu.” I have fond memories of visiting with his genealogist sister, Virginia (Bilyeu) Rollings. They are descendants of Rev. Thomas Hanks, son of Rev. Elijah Hanks, son of Revolutionary War patriot Moses Hanks. For the connection to Reverend Tommy Bilyeu, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Hanks family, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
FIRST LADY OF TENNESSEE BETTY JANE LITTLEFIELD BLANTON (1930-2007). She was the wife of Leonard RAY Blanton, former governor of the state of Tennessee. Betty Jane Littlefield was the daughter of Henry Earl Littlefield, and granddaughter of James Luther Littlefield. James Luther Littlefield is a brother of my great-great-grandmother, Sarah Agatha (Littlefield) Harris. So we are fairly close kin through marriage. For the connection to Betty Jane Littlefield Blanton, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Littlefield family, see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
TENNESSEE GOVERNOR RAY BLANTON (1930-1996). Leonard RAY Blanton, former governor of the state of Tennessee, was married to Betty Jane Littlefield, daughter of Henry Earl Littlefield, and granddaughter of James Luther Littlefield. James Luther Littlefield is a brother of my great-great-grandmother, Sarah Agatha (Littlefield) Harris. So we are fairly close kin through marriage. For the connection to Leonard Ray Blanton, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Littlefield family, see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
SINGER TONY BOROWIAK (1972- ). All-4-One is a California-based contemporary Rhythm and Blues vocal quartet comprised of Tony Borowiak, Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, and Alfred Nevarez. The group’s 1994 debut album “So Much in Love” sailed into the Top Ten thanks to the enormous hit single “I Swear,” which stayed at number one for 11 weeks. This was a very popular song during weddings for a few years. The song “My Brother's Keeper” followed in 1998, and a year later the group returned with “On and On.” The group has received grammys and other prestigious awards. Along the way, the band has performed around the world, from Europe, Asia and across North America including collaborations with legends the likes of Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, David Foster, Diane Warren, Nile Rodgers, and Tom Scott; with appearances on Oprah and Rick Dees; and shared the stage with Whitney and Boys To Men, not to mention so many others. Tony, who handles many of the high falsetto parts, and began by singing in a church choir, also sang with a barber shop quartet for awhile. Tony Borowiak’s grandmother is Pearl (Wegner) Borowiak, and his great-grandfather was Frank Wegner of Armstrong and Estherville, Iowa. Frank Wegner was a first cousin of my grandfather, Emil Gohr. For the connection to Tony Borowiak, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Wegner family, see my WEGNER/WEGENER GENEALOGY Page.
FORMER SENATOR AND PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BILL BRADLEY (1943- ). William Warren “Bill” Bradley was a U.S. Senator from New Jersey and a presidential candidate in 2000. He was also an American hall of fame basketball player and a Rhodes scholar. He is related to me through his mother’s family back to Mary (Harris) Ligon, daughter of Capt. Thomas Harris of Jamestown. For the connection to William Warren “Bill” Bradley, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
FIRST LADY OF THE U.S. BARBARA (PIERCE) BUSH (1925- ). Barbara (Pierce) Bush is descended from the Henry Ballinger family of New Jersey through her mother. I am also descended from Henry Ballinger/Ballenger of Burlington County, New Jersey through my connection to the Sartain and Bond families. For the connection to Barbara Pierce Bush, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on former First Lady Barbara (Pierce) Bush and the Ballinger/Ballenger family, see my BALLINGER/BALLENGER GENEALOGY Page.
FIRST LADY OF FLORIDA COLUMBA GARNICA GALLO BUSH (1953- ). She served as the First Lady of Florida from 1999-2007 as the wife of Governor John Ellis “Jeb” Bush. He is descended from the Henry Ballinger family of New Jersey through his mother, Barbara Pierce Bush. I am also descended from Henry Ballinger/Ballenger of Burlington County, New Jersey through my connection to the Sartain and Bond families. For the connection to Columba Garnica Gallo Bush, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Governor Jeb Bush and the Ballinger/Ballenger family, see my BALLINGER/BALLENGER GENEALOGY Page.
U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE HERBERT WALKER BUSH (1924- ). George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States, married Barbara (Pierce) Bush who is descended from the Henry Ballinger family of New Jersey through her mother. I am also descended from Henry Ballinger/Ballenger of Burlington County, New Jersey through my connection to the Sartain and Bond families. For the connection to President George H. W. Bush, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on former First Lady Barbara (Pierce) Bush, and the Ballinger/Ballenger family, see my BALLINGER/BALLENGER GENEALOGY Page.
U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE WALKER BUSH (1946- ). George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, is descended from the Henry Ballinger family of New Jersey through his mother, Barbara (Pierce) Bush. He also hails from the great state of Texas where he was governor and where I lived half of my life. I am also descended from Henry Ballinger/Ballenger of Burlington County, New Jersey through my connection to the Sartain and Bond families. For the connection to President George W. Bush, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on President George W. Bush and the Ballinger/Ballenger family, see my BALLINGER/BALLENGER GENEALOGY Page.
FLORIDA GOVERNOR JOHN ELLIS “JEB” BUSH (1953- ). John Ellis “Jeb” Bush served as Governor of Florida from 1999-2007. He was the son of George H. W. Bush, the 41st President of the United States. He is descended from the Henry Ballinger family of New Jersey through his mother, Barbara (Pierce) Bush. I am also descended from Henry Ballinger/Ballenger of Burlington County, New Jersey through my connection to the Sartain and Bond families. For the connection to John Ellis “Jeb” Bush, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Governor Jeb Bush and the Ballinger/Ballenger family, see my BALLINGER/BALLENGER GENEALOGY Page.
FIRST LADY OF THE U. S. LAURA LANE WELCH BUSH (1946- ). She is the wife of George W. Bush, the 43rd President of the United States, who descended from the Henry Ballinger family of New Jersey through his mother, Barbara (Pierce) Bush. They also hail from the great state of Texas where he was governor and where I lived half of my life. I am also descended from Henry Ballinger/Ballenger of Burlington County, New Jersey through my connection to the Sartain and Bond families. For the connection to Laura Lane Welch Bush, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on President George W. Bush and the Ballinger/Ballenger family, see my BALLINGER/BALLENGER GENEALOGY Page.
ACTRESS DARLA CASH (1956- ). She is an actress and costume designer living in San Diego, California. She appeared in films The Origin of Man in 2000 and Richard III in 2002 and has other film and drama credits. She is married to actor/producer D. W. Jacobs. She is one of my many Harris cousins. For the connection to Darla Cash, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
U.S. CONGRESSMAN HENRY CLAY (1777-1852). Henry Clay, who served as a congressman of the United States and Speaker of the House, is descended from the same Harris family that I descend from in Hanover Co., Virginia. Henry Clay was a leading American statesman and orator who served in both the House of Representatives and Senate. He was the founder and leader of the Whig Party and a leading advocate of programs for modernizing the economy (such as canals, railroads and banks). Although his multiple attempts at the presidency failed, he to a large extent defined the issues of the Second Party System. He was known as the Great Compromiser because of his success in brokering compromises on the slavery issue, especially in 1820 and 1850. In 1957 a Senate committee chaired by John F. Kennedy, named Clay as one of the five greatest Senators in American history. For the connection to Henry Clay, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Congressman Henry Clay and the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
U.S. CONGRESSMAN JAMES BROWN CLAY (1817-1864). James Brown Clay (son of the famous Henry Clay), who served as a congressman of the United States as a representative from the State of Kentucky. He is descended from the same Harris family that I descend from in Hanover Co., Virginia. For the connection to James Brown Clay, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Congressman James Brown Clay and the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
U.S. PRESIDENT WILLIAM JEFFERSON “BILL” CLINTON (1946- ). He was born William Jefferson Blythe, III. He was adopted by his stepfather and took the name of Clinton. While researching for the Harris Surname DNA Project, I learned that President Clinton descends from Sidon John Harris (ca. 1780-1856) of Burke Co., NC and Haywood Co., TN. This is not my direct line of Harrises, but the DNA markers match with the DNA found in descendants of Captain Thomas Harris of Jamestown, Virginia, so at least through Harris DNA, President Clinton is a relative of mine. For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
ACTOR GEORGE CLOONEY (1961- ). George Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. He has received three Golden Globe Awards for his work as an actor, and two Academy Awards — one for acting and the other for producing. Clooney is one of three people to have been given the title of "Sexiest Man Alive" twice by People Magazine; first in 1997 and again in 2006. For the connection to George Clooney, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
Also, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
TELEVISION HOST NICK CLOONEY (1934- ). Nick Clooney is an American journalist, anchorman, and television host. He is also the brother of Actress Rosemary Clooney. He married Nina Bruce Warren who is a Hanks descendant. He is also the father of Actor George Clooney. For the connection to Nick Clooney, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
Also, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
U.S. PRESIDENT CALVIN COOLIDGE (1872-1933). 30th U.S. President Coolidge and 13th U.S. President Millard Fillmore are both descended from the Littlefield family of Maine. This has been mentioned in the Littlefield Family Newsletter produced by Charles Littlefield Seaman. Also on the Littlefield and the Littlefield-Roots e-mail lists, as well as being documented in Burke's Presidential Families of the United States, 2nd ed. and Ancestors of American Presidents, compiled by Gary Boyd Roberts. I am descended from William Littlefield of Maryland, who is the progenitor of the southern branch of Littlefields. DNA testing seems to prove out that the Edmund and William line are from the same family back in England, but the exact connection is unknown at this time. For the connection to Calvin Coolidge, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Calvin Coolidge and the Littlefield family, see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
ALAMO HERO DAVY CROCKETT (1786-1836). He was born David Stern Crockett, but was better known as Davy Crockett. He was a celebrated 19th century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier and politician. He is commonly referred to in popular culture by the epithet “King of the Wild Frontier.” He represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the Siege of the Alamo on March 6, 1836, defending Texas and the U.S., along with his cousin, John Thomas Harris, who also died at the Alamo. While researching for the Harris Surname DNA Project, I learned that Davy Crockett’s aunt was married to Sidon John Harris (ca. 1780-1856) of Burke Co., NC and Haywood Co., TN. This is not my direct line of Harrises, but the DNA markers match with the DNA found in descendants of Captain Thomas Harris of Jamestown, Virginia, so at least through Harris DNA, Davy Crockett is a relative of mine through marriage. For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
SENATOR JOHN EDWARDS (b. 1953). Senator John Edwards served as a U.S. Senator for the state of North Carolina and was the Democratic vice-president candidate in the 2004 election. He also ran for president in 2008. He is related to me through both the Bond and Ballenger families of Virginia through two different connections. Plus ancestor Joseph Ballenger married Charity Wade, making another connection. John Edwards’s mother was a Wade. It is interesting to note that First Lady Barbara Bush and her sons George W. Bush and Jeb Bush also descend from the Ballenger family. For the connection to John Edwards, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Senator John Edwards and the Ballenger family, see my BALLINGER/BALLENGER GENEALOGY Page. Also see BOND/BONDS GENEALOGY Page and WADE GENEALOGY Page.
U.S. PRESIDENT MILLARD FILLMORE (1800-1874). 13th U.S. President Fillmore and 30th U.S. President Calvin Coolidge are both descended from the Littlefield family of Maine. This has been mentioned in the Littlefield Family Newsletter produced by Charles Littlefield Seaman. Also on the Littlefield and the Littlefield-Roots e-mail lists, as well as being documented in Burke's Presidential Families of the United States, 2nd ed. and Ancestors of American Presidents, compiled by Gary Boyd Roberts. I am descended from William Littlefield of Maryland, who is the progenitor of the southern branch of Littlefields. DNA testing seems to prove out that the Edmund and William line are from the same family back in England, but the exact connection is unknown at this time. For the connection to Calvin Coolidge, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Millard Fillmore and the Littlefield family, see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
BUSINESSMAN JAMES ATHEARN “J. A”. FOLGER (1835-1889). J. A. Folger, the founder of the Folgers Coffee Company, was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts. James, along with two brothers, Henry and Edward headed to California in 1849 in search of a better life. James found work in San Francisco and started the J. A. Folger Coffee Company in 1860 which now is the Folgers Coffee Company, managed by one of his descendants. It turns out that since his ancestors are all from Nantucket Island that there are many intermarriages among the families. He is related to me through the following families at Nantucket Island: Coffin, Gardner, Starbuck, and Swain. For one connection to J. A. Folger, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Swain family, see my SWAIN/SWAN/SWAIM GENEALOGY Page.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR PATRIOT CATHERINE (LITTLEFIELD) GREENE (1755-1814). Catherine “Caty” (Littlefield) Greene, who was married to Revolutionary War General Nathanael Greene, is from the Edmund Littlefield of Maine line, and I descend from the William Littlefield of Maryland line. DNA testing seems to prove out that the Edmund and William line are from the same family back in England, but the exact connection is unknown at this time. Catherine is a notable woman who is a Revolutionary War patriot and is listed in “Who’s Who of American Women.” For the connection to Catherine Littlefield Greene, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Catherine Littlefield and General Nathanael Greene, see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENERAL NATHANAEL GREENE (1742-1786). My connection to General Greene is through his wife, Catherine “Caty” Littlefield. She is from the Edmund Littlefield of Maine line, and I descend from the William Littlefield of Maryland line. DNA testing may prove out that the Edmund and William line are from the same family back in England, but the exact connection is unknown at this time. Any connection with General Greene would be through marriage and not bloodline. Also of interest is that I live in Greene County, Missouri, which is named after him. A few years ago, the local society of the Children of the American Revolution donated a copy of this same portrait to hang in the rotunda of the Greene County Courthouse in Springfield, Missouri, where I live. For the connection to Nathanael Greene, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Nathanael Greene, see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
ACTOR COLIN HANKS (1977- ). He was born Colin Lewes Dillingham in Sacramento, California, the eldest son of Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and his first wife, the late producer and actress Samantha Lewes (née Susan Jane Dillingham), who died of bone cancer on March 13, 2002. Like his famous father, he is also an actor. He has starred in Roswell. King Kong, and other productions. For the connection to Colin Hanks, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with actor Colin Hanks, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
Also see my DODSON GENEALOGY Page.
ACTOR JIM HANKS (1961- ). Jim Hanks is an American voice-over artist and character actor. He is the brother of actor Tom Hanks, and often substitutes for Tom in the role of Woody in various Toy Story video games and spin offs. He also was his brother Tom's running double in Forrest Gump (1994). For the connection to Jim Hanks, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with actor Jim Hanks, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
Also see my DODSON GENEALOGY Page.
REVEREND THOMAS HANKS (1817-1899). Reverend Thomas Pembiny Hanks, originally from Maury County, Tennessee, was one of the early settlers of Christian County, Missouri. In the 1880s when the Baldknobbers were prevalent in Southwest Missouri (this was a local vigilante group similar to the Ku Klux Klan), 3 of them were arrested, tried and hanged at Ozark, Missouri. After a visit from "Father Tom" as many called him, one of the baldknobbers repented of his sins, accepted Christ as his Savior, and requested to be baptized. Rev. Thomas Hanks baptized him in a bathtub in the Ozark city jail. The next day all 3 of the criminals were hanged on the town square. This is quite an interesting bit of local history that our Hanks family took part in. "Father Tom" baptized quite a few believers in Bull Creek in Southwest Missouri during his long ministry as a Baptist preacher. One descendant, Rev. Tommy Bilyeu, was a well-known Baptist minister, and there are several other ministers among the Hanks descendants in Southwest Missouri.. For the connection to Reverend Thomas Hanks, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Hanks family, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
ACTOR TOM HANKS (1956- ). According to a Genealogy.com web site, Tom Hanks, well-known actor and Academy Award winner, is a third cousin four times removed to Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. Tom was born July 9, 1956 at Contra Costa County, California (his home town is Concord, California), and decided to pursue acting after reading and watching a performance of Eugene O'Neill's The Iceman Cometh. Today he is a well-known actor, director, writer, as well as producer. He is just bursting with talent. Tom Hanks traces back 8 generations to John Hanks, a brother of Luke Hanks, Sr. Luke, Sr. was the father of Moses Hanks (my ancestor) and of Joseph and Abraham Hanks (both of whom are reported by different researchers to be President Lincoln’s Hanks ancestors.)—either way there is a kinship. Tom Hanks is also kin to me through the Dodson family. Included in the above thumbnails is a photo of Tom Hanks with a beard (taken from the movie, “Cast Away.” With the beard, perhaps you can better see his resemblance to President Lincoln. Tom Hanks is noted for his performance in such films as “Forrest Gump,” “Big,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Cast Away,” the voice of Woody in “Toy Story,” “The Da Vinci Code,” etc. For the connection to Tom Hanks, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with actor Tom Hanks, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
Also see my DODSON GENEALOGY Page.
ALAMO HERO JOHN THOMAS HARRIS (ca. 1808-1836). John Thomas Harris, the son of Sidon John Harris (ca. 1780-1856), was born in Kentucky. His mother was a Crockett, and he was a first cousin of Davy Crockett. Harris became a resident of Gonzales County, Texas. He participated in the Siege of Bexar and then died defending Texas and the U.S. in the celebrated Siege of the Alamo, on March 6, 1836. John Thomas Harris is directly related to Davy Crockett who also died at the Siege of the Alamo, and he is related to President Bill Clinton. His Harris DNA matches with the Harris DNA of my mother’s Harris family, but the exact family connection is unknown at this time. For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
ACTOR D. W. JACOBS (19??- ). He is a director, writer, actor, teacher and producer. He co-founded San Diego Repertory Theatre in 1976 and served as Artistic Director for twenty years. He resigned in 1997 to focus on independent creative projects. He is married to one of my Harris cousins, Darla Cash. For the connection to D. W. Jacobs, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PLAYER FLOYD LANEY, SR. (1930-2008). Floyd Recil “Dab” Laney, Sr. was a minor league baseball player. He signed with the Atlanta Crackers as a catcher and played for the Petersburg Generals, the Griffin Pimientos, and the Newton-Conover Twins during the late 1940s and early 1950s. He married Pat (Ogletree) Laney, who is one of my Harris cousins. She descends from Ralph Harriss who married Agnes Baldwin in Prince Edward County, Virginia, and from him there is a connection back to Captain Thomas Harris of Jamestown, Virginia. To see the connection to Floyd Laney, Sr., see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
ACTRESS SAMANTHA LEWES (1952-2002). Born Susan Jane Dillingham in Hayward, California, she adopted the stage name of Samantha Lewes. She was married to Actor Tom Hanks and was the mother of Actor Colin Lewes Hanks. She died of bone cancer on March 13, 2002. She appeared in several film, stage and television productions. For the connection to Tom Hanks, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with actor Tom Hanks, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
Also see my DODSON GENEALOGY Page.
PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865). There are various theories/conclusions regarding our 16th U.S. President, Abraham Lincoln’s ancestry. It is known that his mother was Nancy (Hanks) Lincoln. The lineage set forth by Adin Baber and others says that President Lincoln was the grandson of Abraham Hanks of Virginia, who was a brother of my Moses Hanks. President Lincoln now has no living descendants, and he had no siblings who left any offspring, so I am about as closely related to President Lincoln as anyone, although some say he is the grandson of Joseph Hanks (another brother of Moses and Abraham Hanks). Either way, there is a close blood connection with Nancy Hanks and President Lincoln. For the connection to Abraham Lincoln, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with President Lincoln, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
FIRST LADY OF THE U.S. MARY TODD LINCOLN (1818-1882). Mary Todd Lincoln was the wife of President Abraham Lincoln and the mother of Secretary of War Robert Todd Lincoln. She was First Lady of the United States from 1861 to 1865. For the connection to Abraham Lincoln, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with President Lincoln, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
SECRETARY OF WAR ROBERT TODD LINCOLN (1843-1926). He was the son of President Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd. He was U.S. Secretary of War under Presidents Garfield and Arthur. He was later appointed minister to Great Britain by President Benjamin Harrison. For the connection to Robert Todd Lincoln, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with Robert Todd Lincoln, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
MAJOR GEORGE WASHINGTON LITTLEFIELD (1842-1920). One of the key people in Texas history is George Washington Littlefield. He served as a major in Terry’s Texas Rangers for the Confederate Army during the Civil War and became a wealthy cattleman, banker, and benefactor and member of the Board of Regents of the University of Texas. Littlefield also gave more than any other single individual to the University of Texas at Austin during its first fifty years and before oil money significantly increased personal wealth. Littlefield in 1914 established the Littlefield Fund for Southern History to collect archival material on the history of Texas, and during the remaining six years of his life he gave well over $100,000 to the fund. In 1918 he gave $225,000 to the university to purchase the John Henry Wrenn Library. Other benefactions included the Littlefield Fountain, Alice P. Littlefield Dormitory for freshman women, and his home. Littlefield, Texas is also named after him. He is buried in Oakwood Cemetery at Austin, Texas. He is a great-grandson of one of my ancestors, Revolutionary Soldier William Littlefield II. For the connection to George Washington Littlefield, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with George Washington Littlefield, see my see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
DEPARTMENT STORE FOUNDER ROWLAND HUSSEY MACY (1822-1877). Born to a Quaker family on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, he became a well-known American businessman who founded the department store chain, R. H. Macy and Company. Of interest is that at the age of fifteen, he worked on the whaling ship, the Emily Morgan, and had a red star tattooed on his hand that later became part of the store's logo. Also of interest is that His character is portrayed in the 1947 movie Miracle on 34th Street by Harry Antrim. R. H. Macy is kin to me through the SWAIN family and is related through the MACY, GARDNER, and COFFIN families that all intermarried multiple times on Nantucket Island. For the connection to Rowland Hussey Macy, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Macy Family, see my MACY GENEALOGY Page.
Also see the Gardner Family, see my GARDNER GENEALOGY Page.
Also see the Gardner Family, see my COFFIN GENEALOGY Page.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENERAL JOHN NEVILLE (1731-1803). He served closely with General George Washington, General Nathanael Greene, and other well-known personages during the Revolutionary War. He also was the commander of Fort Pitt during the main part of the war. He married Winifred Oldham. General John Neville is a brother of my Mary (Neville) Dodson, so he is a great-uncle way, way back. Both are children of Joseph Neville, Sr., who was a trustee for the town of Moorefield, Virginia, during the Revolutionary period, and so he also is a patriot of the American Revolution. For the connection to John Neville, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on General John Neville, see my NEVILLE/NEAVILLE GENEALOGY Page.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR GENERAL PRESLEY NEVILLE (1755-1818). He served closely with General George Washington, General Nathanael Greene, and other well-known personages during the Revolutionary War. He was the son of General John Neville listed above, so he is my first cousin way, way back. Presley became a close friend of Lafayette and went to France to visit him. Presley was also taken prisoner at one point during the Revolutionary War. He married the daughter of General Daniel Morgan of the Revolutionary War. For the connection to Presley Neville, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Neville family, see my NEVILLE/NEAVILLE GENEALOGY Page.
PRESIDENT- BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA (1961- ). He was born to a white American mother and a black Kenyan father. He grew up in Hawaii and in Jakarta, Indonesia. He served as a senator in Illinois and then U.S. Senator from Illinois before running for presidential office in the 2008 election. Through his mother’s family he is distantly related to the Harrises through Elizabeth Harris of New Kent Co., Virginia, who married John Hudson. For the connection to Barack Hussein Obama, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
FIRST LADY MICHELLE LAVAUGHN (ROBINSON) OBAMA (1964- ). She is a graduate of Princeton and has a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard. She is the wife of president-elect Barack Obama. Through his mother’s family he is distantly related to the Harrises through Elizabeth Harris of New Kent Co., Virginia, who married John Hudson. For the connection to Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY Page.
PRESLEY NEVILLE O’BANNON, 1st Lt. USMC (1776-1850). Named after his cousin above, Presley Neville O’Bannon was one of the first Marines in the U.S. military just after the Revolutionary War period. He was one of the men who helped to free the shores of Tripoli and was one of the persons memorialized in the Marine’s Hymn, “From the Halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli ...” because he was the first the first to plant the American flag on foreign soil. After resigning from the Marine Corps on March 6, 1807, he went to Kentucky and served in the State Legislature. He died on September 12, 1850 at the age of 74. A monument over his grave in his honor is found at Frankfort, Kentucky. For the connection to Presley Neville O’Bannon, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Neville family, see my NEVILLE/NEAVILLE GENEALOGY Page.
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE BILL RICHARDSON (1947-). William Blaine “Bill” Richardson served as U.S. representative and governor of New Mexico and was a presidential candidate in 2008. He is descended from a Mary/Mercy Littlefield who married Joseph Fogg of Kittery and Berwick, Maine. I am descended from William Littlefield of Maryland, who is the progenitor of the southern branch of Littlefields. DNA testing seems to prove out that the Edmund (Maine branch) and William line are from the same family back in England, but the exact connection is unknown at this time. For the connection to Bill Richardson, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Bill Richardson and the Littlefield family, see my LITTLEFIELD GENEALOGY Page.
BUSINESSMAN RICHARD WARREN SEARS (1863-1914). Richard Warren Sears (7 December 1863 – 28 September 1914) was a manager, businessman, and the founder of Sears, Roebuck and Company with his partner Alvah C. Roebuck. He is considered to be one of the great American promotional geniuses. The Sears Tower (tallest building in the U.S.) in Chicago was also named after Richard Warren Sears and the Sears, Roebuck and Company that had its corporate offices in the tower when it was built. The building is now called the Willis Tower after the London-based Willis Group Holdings, Ltd. which leases a portion of the building. Richard Warren Sears is related to me through our common ancestor, Richard Sears (ca. 1590-1676) of Yamouth, Massachusetts. My connection to the Sears family is through the Swain family and then back through the Paddack and Sears families.
For more information on the Sewell family see my SWAIN/SWAN/SWAIM GENEALOGY Page.
MURDER VICTIM JACOB L. “JAKE” SEWELL (ca. 1832-1885). Jacob L. “Jake” Sewell, son of Jacob Sewell and wife Martha of McNairy County, Tennessee, moved to Greene County, Missouri sometime between 1840 and 1860. Jacob Sewell, age 55, and his youngest son, McClure “Mack” Sewell were both murdered on August 5, 1885 while asleep in their wagon near Nevada, Missouri. The murderers, Henry and Manetta Stair, were convicted and sentenced about a month later. Jake Sewell’s son, John Calvin Sewell, was also murdered 4 years earlier. See the Springfield Express (Springfield, MO), August 14, 1885
For more information on the Sewell family see my SEWELL/SOWELL/SHOWELL GENEALOGY Page.
MURDER VICTIM JOHN CALVIN SEWELL (ca. 1860-1881). John Calvin Sewell, son of Jacob L. “Jake” and Barbara (Killingsworth) Sewell, was shot and killed by a young man named Pascal Tucker at Ash Grove, Missouri on July 23, 1881. See the Springfield Express (Springfield, MO), July 29, 1881
For more information on the Sewell family see my SEWELL/SOWELL/SHOWELL GENEALOGY Page.
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER JEFF SHAW (1966- ). Jeffery Lee Shaw was a major league pitcher, mostly for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds. He also played for the Montreal Expos. Jeff Shaw was born on July 7, 1966 and is from Washington C.H., Ohio, and is the great-grandson of Frank and Lucy (Wegner) Shaw. Lucy was a first cousin to my grandfather, Emil Gohr on the Wegner side of the family. That would make Jeff and me 3rd cousins, once removed. Oh well, I still consider us to be relatives. For the connection to Jeff Shaw, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Wegner family and Jeff Shaw, see my WEGNER/WEGENER GENEALOGY Page.
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER TRAVIS SHAW (1990?- ). Travis Shaw of Washington C.H., Ohio, is the son of Professional Baseball Player Jeff Shaw. He is following in his father’s footsteps. He is playing baseball at Kent State University in Ohio. For the connection to Travis Shaw, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Wegner family and the Shaw family, see my WEGNER/WEGENER GENEALOGY Page.
REVEREND MARY (COFFIN) STARBUCK (1645-1717). "Reverend" Mary Coffin was born February 20, 1644/45 in Haverhill, Massachusetts just two years after her parents’ arrival from Devonshire, England. She moved to Nantucket Island with her father, Tristram Coffin, who led the colonization of the island in 1660-1661. In 1662 she married Nathaniel Starbuck, a prosperous farmer, local official, and partner with her father in purchasing the area from the Indians. Mary and her eldest son Nathaniel helped make Quakerism the leading religion on the island sometime after her own conversion from Puritanism by the Quakers of Providence, Rhode Island in 1701 at the age of 56. She was a minister, as were her children and grandchildren. For the connection to Mary Coffin Starbuck, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Coffiin connection see my COFFIN GENEALOGY Page and https://sites.rootsweb.com/~nwa/coffin.html
SINGER B. W. “BUCKWHEAT” STEVENSON (1949-1988). “Buckwheat” Stevenson was a singer and composer from Austin, Texas, appearing on the R.C.A. label. One report said, “At 24, B. W. ("Buckwheat") Stevenson is the most commercially successful of the young Austin musicians. He writes a lot about women, with emotion as honest as Merle Haggard's but a bit more realistic.” He produced a Christian record album called "Lifeline" that includes his top ten hit, "Headed Home." Another one of his albums is called "Calabasas." He also appeared on Austin City Limits and American Bandstand. He is now deceased. A local pub in Dallas called Poor David's Pub has an annual B. W. Stevenson Memorial Singer/Songwriter Competition in his honor. He was the son of Marjorie (Foshee) Stevenson-Quiram and the stepson of Harold Quiram of the Texas branch of Quirams. For the connection to B. W. Stevenson, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the Quiram family, see my QUIRAM/KWIRAM/KWIRANT/KWIERANT GENEALOGY.
ACTRESS RITA WILSON (1956- ). Born Margarita Ibramihoff in Los Angeles, California, her family was of Bulgarian origin and adopted the name of a street in Southern California near where they lived. She is married to actor Tom Hanks. She once made a guest appearance on The Brady Bunch and has appeared in several films. She also was a producer for My Big Fat Greek Wedding. For the connection to Tom Hanks, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on the connection with actor Tom Hanks, see my HANKS/HANKE/HANKINS GENEALOGY Page.
Also see my DODSON GENEALOGY Page.
DOCTOR MILTON R. WOLF, M.D. (19??- ). Doctor Milton R. Wolf is a medical doctor who has started a blog called the Wolf Files to highlight his opposition to ObamaCare. He is a radiologist living at Shawnee Mission, Kansas, and he is President Obama’s “conservative cousin.” He gained notability in 2010 when he began speaking at variou Tea Party events in opposition to ObamaCare. He is related to President Obama through the marriage of his great-grandparents, Thomas Creekmore and Margaret BELLE Wright. They are President Obama’s great-great grandparents. Belle (Wright) McCurry is related to me through her ancestor, Elizabeth (Harris) Hudson. For more information on the Harris family, see my HARRIS/HARRIES/HERRIES/HARRISS GENEALOGY.
TEA PARTY ADVOCATE JOE WOLVERTON, II . (19??- ). Joe Wolverton, II, is a frequent writer for the The New American magazine and Rebellion News. He is a frequent speaker at numerous Tea Party events. He is a professor of American Government at Chattanooga State and was a practicing attorney until 2009. He is distantly related to me through Charles Woolverton (ca. 1660-ca. 1746) of New Jersey. For more information on the Woolverton/Wolverton family, see my WOOLVERTON/WOLVERTON GENEALOGY.
BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM JENKINS WORTH (1794-1849). He served with distinction in the United States Army. He served valiantly in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War under Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor. He also served in the Second Seminole War in Florida. He was Commandant of Cadets at the United States Military Academy at West Point from 1820-1828. After the Mexican-American War, he was appointed as the Administrator of the Texas and New Mexico military districts. He died of cholera in San Antonio, Texas in 1849. The town of Fort Worth, Texas, is named after him. Lake Worth in downtown Fort Worth; a village called Worth, which is a suburb of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois; Worthville, Pennsylvania; Worth County, Georgia; Worth County, Missouri; and the city of Lake Worth, Florida are all named for him as well.
Worth’s ancestors came from Edgartown, Massachusetts, and his great-great grandfather was William Worth (1642-1724) who married Sarah Macy, who is the immigrant ancestor of the Worths who settled at Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, which makes us distant cousins. For the connection to William Jenkins Worth, see Glenn’s Pedigree & Some Famous Relatives.
For more information on Brigadier General William Jenkins Worth, see my WORTH GENEALOGY Page.
Copyright © 1998-2013.
Last updated July 15, 2013.
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