1977 Tatt Ballantyne Fisher letter -June 17

Mrs. Fred B. Fisher

Box 213, 705 2nd Avenue

New Cumberland, WV 26407

Sunday, June 19

Dear Jean,

Sure was glad to hear from you when I was in California.  I was just there for the month of March.  Ruth Stevens went with me.  She enjoyed Jean's two boys.  I hated to come home.  I have your letter in front of me so I'm here to tell you we didn't miss any of the bad, bad winter.  Wasn't it terrible.  I about froze in this house.  I just kept the thermostat on 68 for I couldn't stand it any lower.  Never took so many aspirins but I got by with no colds, etc.  Believe everyone felt better even though it was so cold.  One morning it was 20 below and I had to look at thermometer again to really believe it.  Seemed like the olden days.

Ann's husband, Clarence Cline, died on June 9th.  I wasn't able to go over.  Couldn't make it my myself and when I called John he was sick in bed with flu.  I talked to Ann several times and she is doing fine but later I'm afraid for her.  She only weighs 114 pounds and that is bad for Ann.  Natalie and Norman were there and they said Ann is just skin over bones.  I don't think she will be with us long.  Page took her out to his home in Sacramento Calif. on Friday, so the rest with them will be good for her.  Clarence was sick for about four years and real bad the past eight months.  He had a malignant growth on his colon when operated upon and it then went to his liver.  Its a blessing he's gone but he suffered so much and it was hard on Ann.  Two of her boys lived there near them in Moorestoen [Moorestown?], New Jersey.  They moved them to Moorestoen from Camden several years ago.  Hawley lives in Spokane, Wash. and he was the only one who didn't come.  You know he is fifty-one years old.  Ann had eight children and they have all done real well.  Hawley is out of Marines now (after 30 years) and Bill, who lives in Orlando, Fla is out of Air Force after 30 years.  They had twenty grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Lois and Tom Bruce were at church several weeks ago.  They sat with me.  I hadn't seen them since they left here.  Both looking good.

The 4-H director bought Margaret's home.  They had an auction and got rid of everything.  Jack Evans bought your Uncle Bert's home.  That was some place to rid out.  I felt sorry for Bob & Cindy.  Bob had no idea what belonged to who!!  They are at the cottage now.  Bob is looking for work closer to here.  Indiana is too far away.  Let me hear from you .

Love, Tatt

* * * * *
From note added to 1972 Tatt Ballantyne Fisher letter -Oct.23 (published in the blog on Oct. 23, 2012):  Tatt, born 1906, was the middle daughter of Charles Alexander "Alex" and Mary Conley Ballantyne.  She lived in New Cumberland most (if not all) of her life.  She married Fred Bradley Fisher (1900-1964) also from New Cumberland.  Three of her four children are still living and I am in contact with her daughter Natalie.  The nickname "Tatt" carried over from her childhood when her younger sister Natalie could not pronounce Elizabeth.

Alex – Tatt and Natalie's father – was a younger brother of Nathaniel Wallace Ballantyne.  Nathaniel was the grandfather of the Ballantyne-Dailey-Uible cousins.  The common ancestors would be Alex and Nathaniel's parents, our great-grandparents, Alexander Bell and Irene Freeman Ballantyne.  Read more about Alexander Bell Ballantyne here: http://uible.blogspot.com/2012/01/alexander-bell-ballantyne-1842-1885.html

Tatt's sister, Natalie Virginia Ballantyne Kessel Parsons (1909-2000), is mentioned in the letter as having recently lost her daughter.  Natalie is also the mother of a second cousin most of us have met, Kenneth "Pat" Kessel, though he is a child from Natalie's first marriage and the Mary Jo mentioned was the daughter of Natalie and Norman Parsons.  Natalie had two children with Kenneth Kessell: Pat and Gretchen, both survive.  With Norman Parsons she had four children: Mary Jo, Dickson, Robert & Thomas, only Thomas survives.

Tatt and Natalie had an older sister, Anna Irene (1904-1981).  Anna married Charles Cline and had eight children including a set of twins.  Their daughter Mary Frances Pizella Gavey, is the one who organized several family reunions in the late 1990s and produced several booklets about family history.  She now lives in New Jersey and I am also in contact with her.  [Last I heard in 2016, she was not doing well. She died on November 18, 2016, at the age of 88]

Mary Elizabeth "Tatt" Ballantyne Fisher died in 1993, at the age of 87, after falling and breaking her hip. 

* * * * *

Other relevant blog posts include:

1936 Ballantyne Party -Sept.10
1964 Fred B. Fisher Obituary -Apr.20 (with pictures)
1966 HH NYC Public Library postcard -Mar.7
1972 Tatt Ballantyne Fisher letter - Oct. 23
1993 Natalie Fisher letter - May 18
William E. Cline (1931-2012) - 2nd Cousin
Alexander Bell Ballantyne 1841-1885

1972 Tatt Ballantyne Fisher letter - Oct. 23

Jean receives a letter from her cousin, Mary Elizabeth "Tatt" Ballantyne Fisher (1906-1993) with sad news. Since the salutation includes Ginny we can assume Aunt Virginia (Ballantyne Dailey) is visiting New Vienna at that time.

More details about some of the people mentioned can be found after the transcription.  Transcription follows:

 

Mon. Eve. [October 23, 1972]

Dear Jean and Ginny,

How nice of you to invite me over to your home – but I just can't make it.  Bea & her husband are here and have to go home on Wed.  They sold their car and I have to take them home.  Both are in late 70's & I "sort of" look after them.  I thought we could drive out, stay at a motel & it would be an "outing" for them, but Bill is getting over a broken hip & we decided the drive would be too hard on him.  I really would enjoy a "get together" with you two, and I have a trip to make to Bethesda, so maybe I can see you then, Ginny.

Did you know Natalie & Norman lost their daughter, Mary Jo?  She had an aneurysm over her left eye.  Lived 10 days, didn't know them towards last – 34 years old.  Left children, Renee, 13 yr., Scott, 10 & Eric 7.  They are pretty broken up over this.  She lived in Upper Marlboro, Maryland.  They are so embittered toward God now, so I'm waiting awhile before going over.  Her husband has no housekeeper doing for them himself.  He's in service – a major.  Love, Tatt

[written at top]  Mary Jo buried at Arlington National Cemetery

* * * * * * * * * *
Tatt, born 1906, was the middle daughter of Charles Alexander "Alex" and Mary Conley Ballantyne.  She lived in New Cumberland most (if not all) of her life.  She married Fred Bradley Fisher (1900-1964) also from New Cumberland.  Three of her four children are still living and I am in contact with her daughter Natalie.  The nickname "Tatt" carried over from her childhood when her younger sister Natalie could not pronounce Elizabeth.

Alex – Tatt and Natalie's father – was a younger brother of Nathaniel Wallace Ballantyne.  Nathaniel was the grandfather of the Ballantyne-Dailey-Uible cousins.  The common ancestors would be Alex and Nathaniel's parents, our great-grandparents, Alexander Bell and Irene Freeman Ballantyne.  Read more about Alexander Bell Ballantyne here: http://uible.blogspot.com/2012/01/alexander-bell-ballantyne-1842-1885.html

Tatt's sister, Natalie Virginia Ballantyne Kessel Parsons (1909-2000), is mentioned in the letter as having recently lost her daughter.  Natalie is also the mother of a second cousin most of us have met, Kenneth "Pat" Kessel, though he is a child from Natalie's first marriage and the Mary Jo mentioned was the daughter of Natalie and Norman Parsons.  Natalie had two children with Kenneth Kessell: Pat and Gretchen, both survive.  With Norman Parsons she had four children: Mary Jo, Dickson, Robert & Thomas, only Thomas survives.

Tatt and Natalie had an older sister, Anna Irene (1904-1981).  Anna married Charles Cline and had eight children including a set of twins.  Their daughter Mary Frances Pizella Gavey, is the one who organized several family reunions in the late 1990s and produced several booklets about family history.  She now lives in New Jersey and I am also in contact with her.

Mary Elizabeth "Tatt" Ballantyne Fisher died in 1993, at the age of 87, after falling and breaking her hip.

1964 Fred B. Fisher Obituary -Apr.20

Fred Fisher, 1900-1964, was the husband of Elizabeth "Tatt" Ballantyne Fisher (1906-1993).  Tatt, who received her nickname in infancy when her two-year-old older sister could not pronounce Elizabeth, was the second of three daughters of Charles Alexander "Alex" Ballantyne (1875-1957), a brother of Nathaniel Wallace Ballantyne (1868-1949).

After graduating from New Cumberland High School, Tatt attended Wooster College for two years and then became a fourth grade teacher in New Cumberland.  She and Fred dated for ten years while they both continued living with their parents.  Tatt and Fred married in 1936 and had four children, born between 1937 and 1944.  Their  daughter Diane, born 1940, did in 1992.

Fred's great-great-grandfather, John C. Fisher (1756-1809), was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1756, served in the Revolutionary War, and later moved to the Steubenville, Ohio, area.  Fred was a life-time resident of New Cumberland, and according to his obituary opened the first service station in Weirton in 1923.

Transcription of obituary and family pictures, courtesy of Fred's daughter, Natalie (second cousin of the Ballantyne-Dailey-Uible cousins) follows.

Death Claims Fred B. Fisher

Thursday, April 20, 1964

Fred B. Fisher, 705 2nd Ave., a former member of the Hancock County Board of Education, died Thursday morning at 2 a.m. at City Hospital, East Liverpool, where he had been a patient four weeks.  He was 64.

Mr. Fisher and a brother, Roland Fisher, now of Edon, Ohion [sic] and Miami, Fla. opened the first service station and grease rack in Weirton and together operated a service station business for 36 years selling it in 1959.

Mr. Fisher was born here March 1, 1900 to the late John C Fisher and Nettie Bradley Fisher.  He was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Ballantyne Fisher at home; a son, John Fisher of St. Albans, W. Va.; three daughters, Mrs. Willis (Natalie) Drumm of Billings, Mont., Mrs. Dale (Diane) Kirpatrick of New Llano, La., and Miss Mary Jean Fisher at home; another brother, Sonny Fisher of New Cumberland, and three grandchildren.

Services were held Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Fields Funeral Home with Rev. Mr. Grant Lowe officiating.  Burial was in New Cumberland cemetery.

1993 Natalie Fisher letter - May 18

For more about Tatt Ballantyne Fisher, first cousin of "our" Jean, see these previous blog posts. Transcription follows.

5-18-93

Dear Friends

It's been too long since I last wrote with news of Mother [Tatt].  After much thought, discussion and prayer we all came to the decision for Mom to move into the Victoria Care Center on April 29th.  She just couldn't live alone any longer & with Jean [other daughter] & I both working 12 hours shifts moving her into our homes wasn't a solution to the problem of her living alone.  This care center is new – only been open a year – & is beautiful.  It's been a big adjustment for all of us and Jean and I agree it's probably the hardest thing we've ever had to do.  Mom is doing OK & each day is better.  She is only a few blocks from my house.  Her room has sliding doors onto the patio so she can go out to smoke.  She remains healthy just has little strength and her back is OK as long as she doesn't walk too much or stand for very long.  She would really love to hear from you!
             Natalie
 

William E. Cline (1931-2012) - 2nd Cousin

Earlier this year we reviewed information about Alexander Bell Ballantyne, grandfather of Jean Wallace Ballantyne Uible and great-grandfather to the Ballantyne-Dailey-Uible cousins.

Alexander is also the great-grandfather of William E. Cline whose mother, Anna Ballantyne Cline, was the first cousin of Bob, Virginia and Jean Ballantyne.

Many New Cumberland family names are mentioned in this obituary which is a copy of what Mary Frances Gavey (William's sister) mailed to the New Cumberland newspaper, The Hancock County Courier, for publication. Transcription follows.

William E. Cline - 2nd cousin - obituary June 2012.  He is brother of Mary Frances Gavey who wrote this to be published in the New Cumberland newspaper.

WILLIAM E. CLINE

William E. Cline (Bill), was born in New Cumberland in 1931 to Clarence and Anna (Ballantyne) cline. He died at his home in Winter Park, Florida, on Tuesday, June 26, at age 80.

Bill is survived by his wie of 57 years, Dorothy, and his three daughters, Tomlyn, Patricia and Susan, his five Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews, his three brothers, Marc, Page and Jim, and his two sisters, Mary Frances and Peggy and many cousins.

Bill served in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, instructor and a Rescue Helicopter pilot flying many Rescue Helicopter Missions in Vietnam.  Bill was in the service for twenty years.  Upon retirement from military service, Bill worked for the John Hancock Insurance Co. in Orlando, Florida for twenty years.

Bill liked to work out many Technological Strategic flying maneuvers along with other friends who had been pilots.  It was a satisfying adventure for him and he was very good at it.  Bill also loved fishing and being with his family.

Bill was predeceased by his maternal Grandparents, Alexander and Mary (Conley) Ballantyne, his parents, two brothers, Hawley (1996), Thomas (2006), his Father's sister and husband Ruth and Bob Herron and his cousin, David Herron, his Mother's sisters, Tatt Fisher and Natalie Parsons

1966 Jean's LaGuardia Airport postcard -Mar.

All set to leave for breakfast with Tatt and Aunt Virginia and then off to Puerto Rico.

"Hello Dolly" was real good.  Ginger Rogers has the part of Dolly.

Miss you all and anxious to see you.  Hope all are well and everything's going fine.

Love & XXXXX, Mother

1966 HH NYC Public Library postcard -Mar.7

New York Public Library postcard -mailed 1966 Captioned: 5th Avenue and 42nd Street, New York City.  Color Photo by Ewing Galloway.

1966 HH NYC Public Library postcard -Mar.7

3-7-66
At the Taft on the 20th floor.  Plane was on time & had lunch at 29000 feet.  Aunt Virginia & Mrs. Fisher* got here about 5 P.M.  Have been to the Toy Show & got a directory & saw Wells jacks in F.W.W.  Isn't this picture in the World Book?  How about a [girl scout] cookie?

Mother & Dad

_ _ _ _ _ _

*Mary Elizabeth "Tatt" Ballantyne Fisher, 1906-1993, first cousin of Jean & Virginia, was daughter of Charles Alexander (C.A.) Ballantyne 1875-1957 who was brother of Nat Ballantyne.

Jean Wallace Ballantyne Uible school class pictures

Class pictures from fourth, eighth, and twelfth grade school days in New Cumberland, West Virginia.

1932 4th Grade New Cumberland WV School: Second Row first on left Jean Wallace Ballantyne Uible, Third Row second from left Jeanne Campbell Sanker, Teacher (not pictured?) Tatt Ballantyne

1935 (Oct) 8th Grade New Cumberland WV School, Top Row: Unknown, Helen Kralovic, Unknown, Betty Ward, Jeanne Campbell Sanker, Margaret Young, Madeline Cullen, Middlow Row: Dean McAtee, Stanley Radeski, Alex Spiluki, Tommy Krena, Eddie Marshall, Dean Slentz, last 3 unknown, Bottom Row; Mary Smith, Becky Cullen, Jean Turley, Unknown, Jean Ballantyne Uible, Laura Bysarovich, Unknown

1940 12th Grade New Cumberland WV School, Front row 2nd from right, Jean Ballantyne Uible, Middle row 3rd from left Jeanne Campbell Sanker

1936 Ballantyne Party -Sept.10

1936 Ballantyne Party Invitation -Sept.10

1936 Ballantyne Party News Clipping -Sept.

Two Hundred and Fifty Guests at Ballantyne Home for Supper Dance

––––––––––––––––––––

A SUPPER DANCE for two hundred and fifty guests was given by Mr. and Mrs. Nathaniel Wallace Ballantyne at their home on Ridge avenue in New Cumberland Thursday night in honor of a group of young people among them their daughter and two nieces, all three recent brides.

In the receiving line with the Ballantynes were Mr. and Mrs. James S. Dailey (Virginia Irene Ballantyne) of Steubenville; Mr and Mrs. Frederick Fisher (Elizabeth Ballantyne) of New Cumberland; Mr. and Mrs. Norman Parsons (Natalie Ballantyne), of New Cumberland; Mr. and Mrs. John Cupp (Elizabeth Dupka) Pittsburgh; Eleanor Mentzer, Steubenville, and her fiance, Gerald K. McGeorge of Cincinnati (they will be married in October): Dr. and Mrs. T.E. Cato, New Cumberland.

[Elizabeth "Tatt"  Ballantyne Fisher, 1906-1993, and Natalie Virginia Ballantyne Kessel Parsons, 1909-2000 were sisters, daughters of Charles Alexander "C.A." and Mary Conley Ballantyne.  A third sister, Anna Irene Ballantyne Cline, 1904-1981, was married in 1926.]

Mrs. Dailey is Mr. and Mrs. Ballantyne's daughter.  Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Parsons are their nieces.  Both were June brides.  Mrs. Cupp is a former classmate of Mrs. Dailey's at Ellis school for girls.  She was also a June bride.  Dr. Cato is Hancock county coroner and health supervisor and is leaving with Mrs. Cato for Baltimore where he will enroll for a nine months post graduate course at John Hopkins.  Mr. and Mrs. George Renner, the fourth, of Youngstown (Mrs. Renner is the former Betty Davidson of Hollidays Cove), were also on the honored guest list, but Mr. Renner's illness prevented him from attending.

The guests were welcomed in the reception hall.  Mrs. Ballantyne wore cream lace; her daughter, Mrs. Dailey, wore pale blue georgette with long cape; Mrs. Fisher and Mrs. Parson wore black velvet; Miss Mentzer, red lace; Mrs. Cato, pink lace; Mrs. Cupp, black and white lace.  All had corsages of gardenias.   Fall flowers were lavishly used through the house, snapdragons and delphinium offset by lighted tapers, centering the buffet supper table.

Dancing was enjoyed until one o'clock to the music of Paul Campbell's orchestra.  Lanterns decorated the garden and veranda, where many of the guests danced and enjoyed refreshments.

Steubenville guests included Mrs. W.E. Dailey and family, Eleanor Zink, Edward Ekey, Mr. and Mrs. F. Howard Pierce, Attorney Joseph Stern, Marjorie Lee, George W. Cochran, Jr., Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Mentzer, Thomas J. Welsh, Dr. and Mrs. F.B. Harrington, Dr. and Mrs. S.A. Harris, Fred Fagen, Dorothy Morgan, Betty Anglin, Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Foringer, W.A. Ward, Mr. and Mrs. Howard Wickersham, Robert Anglin.

Clara Virginia Nichols, William Curn, Virginia Little, Ruth Hennings. Mr. Becker, Helene Grismore, Nate Cohen, Fredericka Clark, Herbert Clark, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rudolf, Everett Ferguson, Jr., Betty Bargar, Robert Overmyer, William Robinson, Ethel Dailey.

Other guests were present from Pittsburgh, Niles, Mansfield and many surrounding communities.