A Tribute to our Ancestors

A proud heritage is found among their tears and joys as they struggled through hardships, disappointments and new beginnings while immigrating to the United States. As a recipient of their legacy I take pride in presenting their stories.

With Gratitude

A special note of appreciation also goes to the many in our family who have taken the time to gather family stories, and have recorded historical facts, saved documents, collected research files, and written family books. By their inspiration, I hope this research compilation bridges the lives of our ancestors with the generations yet to come.

I wish to personally thank Charles Smith, Darlene Julson, Galen & Anna Mae Smith, Donna Conley, Jerry Eberhardt, Doug & Gloria Lenhart, Alice Prochnow, Carolyn Givan, Dwayne and Don Smith, Oney Oberbroeckling, Helen Burkart and Tom Wilkinson — all of whom have generously given of their time to assist in this family research project and have shared precious photographs, documents, and research.

• A family history
  leads to the satisfaction in really knowing who you are
  and from whence you came.
  
  
• "Nor long shall any name resound
  Beyond the grave, unless't be found
  In some clerk's book; it is the pen
  Gives immortality to men."
  
  
• A good life lasts for several generations.
  
  
• In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep,
  to know our heritage, to know who we are
  and where we come from.
  
  — Alex Haley
• To forget one's ancestors
  is to be a brook without a source,
  a tree without a root.
  
  — Chinese Proverb
• Family faces are magic mirrors.
  Looking at people who belong to us,
  we see the past, present, and future.
  We make discoveries about ourselves.
  
  — Gail Lumet Buckley
• In every conceivable manner,
  the family is a link to our past,
  a bridge to our future.
  
  — Alex Haley
• What greater thing is there for human souls
  than to feel that they are joined for life – to be with each other
  in silent unspeakable memories.
  
  — George Eliot
• Some people come and go in our lives.
  Some stay forever.
  
  
• We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors,
  we borrow it from our children.
  
  — Native American Proverb
• The memories we give may a lifetime live in the heart
  of those we hold so close.
  
  — Unknown
• Families are like fudge . . .
  mostly sweet with a few nuts.
  
  — Unknown
• The family is one of Nature's masterpieces.
  
  — George Santayana
• Having a place to go – is a home.
  Having someone to love – is a family.
  Having both – is a blessing.
  
  — Donna Hedges
• Every man is his own ancestor,
  and every man is his own heir.
  He devises his own future,
  and he inherits his own past.
  
  — Fredrick Henry Hedge