Dear Mt Zion Historical Society (MZHS) Friends:
Again an exciting and busy three months since our last newsletter. This issue's highlights include:
New MZHS Stone Memorial Benches
MZHS "Lest We Forget" Series Continues to Grow
A New Initiative: Bennett's Valley Old Picture Series
MZHS Visit to Winslow Homes in Marshfield Massachusetts
"Lost at Sea" by Mary Bentz Continues
Remembering the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
A Grassroots Initiative:People for Better Pennsylvania Historical Records Access
Special Historical Society Events in October
We hope you enjoy this issue and as always if you have any questions or other comments, please let us know.
MZHS Memorial Park Benches
The fourth Stone Memorial Bench will be installed in the Mt. Zion Memorial Park. This bench will be
dedicated to Archie and Dolores Kunes by their son Randy. A date for the dedication will be announced in a forthcoming
newsletter.
The Mt. Zion Historical Society has installed six stone benches, and one soon to be installed, for a total of
seven benches, along the Veteran's Walkway at the Historical Park. These benches are available for family
memorials. In front of each bench, in the walkway, will be installed a 12" x 24" marble plaque inscribed with the
person(s) or family for whom they are dedicated.
The cost of a Memorial Bench is $500.00. Presently there are four benches remaining for family memorials.
Anyone having an interest in obtaining a Family Memorial Bench, or have any questions about the benches may do
so by contacting either
James Burke
, or calling Susan McClintick at 814-787-7675
MZHS "Lest We Forget" Series Continues to Grow
Moses W. Lucore, Civil War veteran was recently added to the Mt. Zion Historical Society's "Lest We Forget"
series
on the Society's web-site.
Click for Mt Zion Historical Society Home Webpage
This makes a total of twenty-three veteran's stories. If you have a story you would like included in this series
please contact
James Burke
or call 814-787-7823.
A New Initiative: Bennett's Valley Old Picture Series
This picture is of Main Street in Caledonia when it was still a dirt road. We intend to introduce a series of old
pictures in future publications of the Mt. Zion Historical Society's Newsletter.
If you have an old picture you would like to share, you may do so my
contacting
James Burke
or either Ken Ovell or Rita Fence at 814-787-7282.
MZHS Visit to Winslow Homes in Marshfield Massachusetts
MZHS President Jim Burke and Board Member Bob Nay had a chance to visit the ancestral home of Kenelm Winslow in
Marshfield (near Plymouth) Massachusetts this past July. Kenelm Winslow - brother of Pilgrim Edward Winslow- is the
immigrant English ancestor of the Winslow brothers who came to the Bennett's Valley area in the early 1820-1830's.
Brothers Carpenter Jr, Reuben, and Ebenezer Winslow moved from Maine to Jefferson County and then to the Benezette
area and were influential members of the community,and established the town of Benezette and Winslow Hill.
Their father Carpenter Winslow Sr, brothers Joseph Wood Winslow and James Winslow and families stayed and
prospered in the Punxsutawney / Gaskill Township area of Jefferson County. More information about the Winslows
can be read in Jim Burke's recently published book
"Pioneers of Second Fork". If interested in obtaining a copy of his special book, click to contact
James Burke
Bob Nay is a direct descendent of Carpenter Winslow family of Benezette. Being able to visit the Kenelm Winslow
home (which was built around 1645 and is still a private residence)and sit in front of the Kenelm's family fireplace
was a truly endearing and memorable experience. Feel free to contact
Bob
if interested in more information about this visit or his genealogy research of the Winslows.
In addition Jim and Bob also visited the well-known Isaac Winslow home and the Winslow Cemetery also in
Marshfield (this town was founded by Kenelm's brother -the Mayflower Pilgrim and leader Edward Winslow- in the 1630s).
These were excellent opportunities to experience some of the Winslow heritage of our Bennett's Valley Winslows,
and interact with other historical societies.
"Lost at Sea" by Mary Bentz
©2009 Mary Bentz
The Special Mary Bentz Series of
Weedville's Carmen Anthony Parziale and USS Grunion sub
story continues.
Late September or early October of 1942, USS Grunion families were receiving word that the submarine had not been
heard from and was presumed missing. The Navy issued press releases across the country.
Bruce, Brad and John Abele, ages 12, 9, and 5, recall the sunny afternoon, tossing a football around in front of
their house in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, when their mother, Catherine, wife of Lt. Commander Mannert L.
Abele, called her three young sons into the house to read to them the telegram she had received. "The Navy
Department deeply regrets to inform you that your husband, Lt. Cmdr. Mannert Lincoln Abele, U.S. Navy, is
missing
in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The Department appreciates your anxiety but
details are not now available. Delay in receipt therefore must necessarily be expected to prevent possible aid
to our enemies."
A second telegram followed soon thereafter and had marked a significant change. It was the same telegram only a
new sentence had been inserted. "
However, no proof has been received that it was the result of enemy action."
All subs in the general vicinity were ordered by ComTaskGroup 8.5 to return to Dutch Harbor. When Grunion did not
respond, the Navy requested submarines in that area to try and contact Grunion in the dark hours, but after several
days of trying, the search failed to gain a response.
It was reported that the Navy presumably knew at the time that Grunion was deep in the Aleutian Island battles
around Kiska Island and was probably lost to enemy action, but needed to keep this a secret so as not to give the
Japanese a chance to claim a victory. It would be two months later that they would be listed as "overdue and presume
lost". The Navy would only refer to the area in which the Grunion had been operating as the "Pacific Theater of
Operations".
Lt. Commander Abele's wife, like 69 other families was faced with a loss beyond all comprehension. They had to
continue to go on with their lives. But Catherine, I read, never wanted to put a 'gold star' in their window since
she considered her husband's submarine 'officially missing in action' and not definitely lost at that point.
While dealing with this tremendous loss, financial planning for their family's future had to be thought about without
delay.
Torpedoman's Mate Carmen Anthony Parziale, the youngest son of Ralph and Mary Louise Parziale, born on
April 11, 1921, in Byrnedale, Pennsylvania, like so many of the other unmarried men on Grunion, sent his earnings
home to help his mother during the Depression. However, for the sailors and their wives, in their love letters
to each other, they were dreaming and planning their home and life together after the war. Then the telegram
arrived and all was shattered. Carmen's mother, who lived in Weedville was no different from any other mother,
she grieved the loss of her son forever.
The wives found themselves totally on their own. Catherine was one who did have an advantage. While the majority of
the wives were barely 19 years old, she was older, and up to that point did not have to be the breadwinner, but now
she knew she would need to supplement the benefits she would receive from the Navy in order to take care of her
family. She relied on her ability as a trained teacher, musician, and violinist by giving private violin lessons
in their home in Newton, Massachusetts, and then later gave group or private lessons at one or more of the nearby
grade schools.
Five months later, she received a letter from the assistant Chief of Naval Personnel that Capt. Abele had been
awarded the Navy Cross (The Navy's highest award) for "extraordinary heroism as a result of the actions of the Grunion from June 30 to July 24, 1942) During that time he was credited with sinking three Japanese class destroyers,
although after the war this was reduced to two Japanese sub chasers and damaging a "third." His name was added to
"The Roll of Honor".
At that time, only the commanding officers of submarines were awarded this medal but Catherine, knowing that her
husband would want this recognition for all of his crew, went to the effort of obtaining from Washington the names
and addresses of the next of kin, and then wrote a letter to each one. The response from the families was
overwhelming. The letters sent to Catherine are in existence today. She was truly the Captain's wife.
I am told she believed that keeping busy was the cure for many problems. She took the time to keep this
correspondence with many of the Grunion families until she died in 1976. I often wonder if their mother, who by the
example she set, in a way influenced this strong desire for Bruce, Brad and John to find their father's submarine.
Catherine Eaton Abele never remarried.
…to be continued
Special Historical Society Events in October
Two special events are being conducted by two of our neighboring historical societies which you may find of interest
if you are in the area.
The first one is the
3rd annual Cemetery Walk by the
Elk County Historical Society to be held Friday
October 16th and Saturday October 17th- at 2pm and 5 pm. These walks will be through the Pine Grove and
Thayer cemeteries and include "special" stories. Make sure to reserve your space at these free events.
Call 814-776-1032 or contact the Elk County Historical Society.
Also on October 17th is the
"Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk" by the
DuBois Area Historical Society.
The first walk
begins at 6:30 pm at the Dubois Historical Society Museum on 28 W Long Avenue, DuBois. Make your reservation by
calling 814-371-9006.
Discover the DuBois' Spirit!
We hope you can experience these special events by our local historical societies.
If you have special events that you would like us to share in our newsletter, please give us enough advance notice
and send your information to either
Bob Nay or
Jim Burke.
Remembering the Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
- Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.
- Twelve had their home ransacked and burned.
- Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
- Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
- They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they?
- Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
- Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men, well educated, but they signed the
Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
- Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy.
He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
- Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served
in Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was
his reward.
- Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and
Middleton.
- At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson
home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and
Nelson died bankrupt.
- Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields
and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find
his wife dead and his children vanished.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your American lifestyle and silently thank these patriots (and don't forget
our current patriot Americans. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.
Remember: Freedom is never free!
A Grassroots Initiative:People for Better Pennsylvania Historical Records Access
A grassroots organization called PaHR-Access (People for Better Pennsylvania Historical Records Access) has started
a campaign to have the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania make its state death certificates that are at least 50 years
old become open records and to do what other states have started to do and have them available online. You can
learn more about this effort at: users.rcn.com/timarg/PaHR-Access.htm. Having considerably greater access to
these records would make doing genealogical research in Pennsylvania vastly easier.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact Tim Gruber at 610-791-9294
NOTE: The Mt. Zion Historical Society has official endorsed this cause. If you believe in this cause, your
support by contacting the above would help in getting these historical records available.
To SEND COMMENTS, UnSubscribe, or Add a Person
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