God Had a Plan: The Biographical Memoirs of God’S Leading in the Lives of Orlan Earl Thomas and Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas

By Orlan E. Thomas

God Had a Plan begins with a genealogy patterned much like the ones found in the Bible, with some early family history interspersed as was available. Once the genealogy is established, the author offers an examination of the seed, referring to the look see into the lives of those who produced the offspring in review.

The life and times of the author and his beloved wife Marcella are explored from cradle to adulthood, journeying through his teaching positions and her position as soprano soloist with the Back to the Bible broadcast in Lincoln, Nebraska. Their union of husband and wife was unquestionably a divine appointment, as God truly had a plan.

Indeed, education played a big part of Gods plan in each of their lives, though the road to the doctorate at the Eastman School of Music turned out to be a long, arduous trip involving many perils. Gods plan saw the writer through that rigorous quest with scriptural promises that, when claimed, brought deliverance.

More than just a simple chronology of dates and facts, this touching autobiography about the authors faith offers guidance and hope to all his readers.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Oct 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781532027925

Orlan E. Thomas

Orlan E.Thomas, born in 1935, is Associate Professor Emeritus of Oboe, Music Literature, and Music Theory at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, where he taught for thirty-four years. In addition to bachelor and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska, he holds a doctor of musical arts (DMA) degree in Oboe Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with oboist Robert Sprenkle. In his retirement, he taught for six years at Sias International University in Xinzheng, China and traveled extensively around the globe. From 2017 he is Principal Oboist of the Oklahoma Baptist Symphony.

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Copyright © 2017 .

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures are taken from the New American Standard Bible®, © Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission, www.Lockman.org.

The King James Version used in the writings of Bernice Thomas is on BibleGateway.com and matches the 1987 printing. The KJV is public domain in the United States.

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ISBN: 978-1-5320-2791-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2790-1 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5320-2792-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017913023

iUniverse rev. date: 10/27/2017

CONTENTS

Preface

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1 Genealogy

Chapter 2 Examining and Preparing the Seed

Chapter 3 Life and Times of Orlan Earl Thomas (b. 1935)

Chapter 4 My First Teaching Position

Chapter 5 Marriage of Orlan Earl Thomas to Marcella Evangeline Frisbie: August 25, 1962

Chapter 6 My Experience at the Eastman School of Music

Chapter 7 With the Lord: My Father, Rev. Leslie E. Thomas, Th.D.

Chapter 8 Divine Appointment: Texas Tech University

Chapter 9 Angel Unawares: Bernieta Ruth Thomas

Chapter 10 A Living Heritage: Son Marlan and Daughters Anita and Jolita

Chapter 11 Mission Adventures

Chapter 12 Thomas Homestead

Chapter 13 With the Lord: My Mother, Bernice Virginia Breneman Thomas

Chapter 14 Walking on Water: China Teaching Experience

Chapter 15 Life and Times of Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas (1936–2013)

Chapter 16 Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary: August 25, 2012

Chapter 17 With the Lord: My Wife, Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas

Chapter 18 Heart Surgery and Relocation to Norman, Oklahoma

Chapter 19 Eightieth Birthday Celebration

Chapter 20 The Legacy

Appendix I Marcella Thomas Memorial Service

Appendix II Marcella’s Memorial Messages, January 22, 2013: Greetings and Condolences to Orlan and Family

Appendix III Christmas Letters, 1970–2016

Appendix IV Spiritual Writings of Bernice Thomas, 1910–1997

Appendix V My Testimony: Orlan Thomas

Appendix VI Marcella’s Song Index

Appendix VII Catalogue of 144 Arrangements and Compositions by Orlan E. Thomas

Appendix VIII Orlan’s Personal Testimony

Appendix IX Breneman Censuses

Appendix X Music Manuscripts and Miscellaneous Treasures

Sources

Events in our lives occur never by coincidence, luck, or good fortune but according to the very plan of God. One must pursue His plan with steps of faith, which often fall on seeming void—but find the rock beneath.

—Orlan E. Thomas

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Personal photography in Yellowstone National Park, summer 2006.

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Orlan and Marcella in Big Sky, Montana,

from family archive, taken by Orlan with tripod, 2006.

In memory of my mother,

Bernice Virginia Breneman Thomas,

(1910–1997)

to whom I shall be forever grateful.

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Bernice Breneman Thomas,

from family archive, taken by son Orlan, c. 1994.

God’s promise to one and all:

For I know the plans I have for you … plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope … You will seek me and find me when you search for Me with all your heart.

—Jeremiah 29:11, 13 (NASB)

PREFACE

To write family memoirs, one must have something to say. Indeed there is much to be said regarding the Lord’s leading in the lives of Orlan and Marcella Thomas.

This book is not a mass of words collected in an attempt to describe the lives of those depicted herein. Rather, it is the bringing to life of the beautiful way in which the Lord directed those lives and made them examples for those in the present as well as those who will come after. This should be easy to understand through a brief look at some of the ways the Lord directed the lives of the couple in focus.

The Lord directed our lives, making it possible for us to take in a world of experiences and providing such variety in life that we were never bored.

There are countless students over the years who have contributed to our personal fulfillment, as most of our lives we have been involved in teaching. This has been a most rewarding opportunity to give of ourselves, often unselfishly, as we endeavored to honor and share the Lord through the gift He gave us.

There were multitudinous times in our travels across the United States and abroad when people would comment to us that we could write a book. This we always put off, as we knew the involvement of such a task. Marcella often would say, I want to write the book that so many have suggested. However, it was not in God’s plan that she would write that book, as she came down with multiple myeloma cancer at age seventy-two and passed away after a four-year battle.

Following Marcella’s passing, the Lord continued to speak to me about the book Marcella had hoped to write. The Lord impressed upon me the fact that if the book were to be written, I would, of necessity, be the one to write it, as I am the oldest living member of our immediate Thomas clan. If the book were to be written, it would be mine to do! All the ways the Lord blessed and provided for Marcella and me through the years would be lost forever if I did not undertake that task. This would deprive not only the current generation of that blessing, but it would rob those who would come after of the knowledge of the beautiful way God’s plan provided for this couple who desired to honor the Lord in every way.

In addition to the recall effect that one experiences in sitting down to write a book, I was blessed by a number of sources. First, my mother, Bernice Breneman Thomas, left writings that were invaluable to the success of this endeavor. Her spiritual writings may be found in appendix IV. From 1970 I had access to the family Christmas letters, which may be found in appendix III. Marcella wrote of her trying times in college while working to support herself—and her experiences as she trusted the Lord to provide for her. She also told the unique story of how the Lord, in His divine providence, directed her after college graduation to go all the way across the United States from northeast Pennsylvania to Lincoln, Nebraska—by train, no less—where she just happened to meet Yours Truly. This was certainly no happenstance or accident, for indeed God had a plan.

The story of God’s plan for us is the core of this book, which is meant to share with the whole world God’s sovereign direction and the fulfillment of His plan for two feeble servants as they put their trust in Him in their early years and through fifty years of marriage. Yes, they lived a rewarding, full, and blessed life.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I would like to express appreciation to my mother, Bernice Virginia Breneman Thomas (1910–1997), who now sings in the angelic choir, for her encouragement over the sixty-two years I was privileged to have her in my life. Truly, God had a plan. The many pictures she preserved have made possible a pictorial heritage to share with family, most of whom have never experienced a visual image of those who have gone before. Those who come after will be able to get acquainted visually with the members of their family who paved the way in shaping our family tree.

In my mother’s writings, she described various family incidents and character sketches as well as spiritual writings, which are indeed food for the soul for generations to come. These are presented in appendix IV. Her personal testimony has become a legacy of its own, and the beautiful way she served the Lord as a pastor’s wife alongside her preacher husband, Dr. Leslie E. Thomas, was an example of a life dedicated to the Lord and His ministry. One can truly say that her life counted for the Lord, and she is now forever interceding before the Lord for each and every family member who descends from her legacy.

I am indebted to my wife, the co subject of this writing, Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas (1936–2013), who is one of the newer members of the angelic choir. Being trained as a professional singer, she must now be lead soprano in God’s special chamber singers.

Marcella often said she’d like to write the family memoirs, but time had a way of running away from her. Then, in the last four years of her life, she was given a unique way to minister to those about her in lifting up the banner for the Lord, fulfilling His plan for her life and causing her to be thankful to the Lord in everything—even in multiple myeloma cancer—as we are admonished by scripture to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Almost every year since 1970, Marcella put together the family Christmas letter. The collection of these letters became a great source of info regarding how God’s plan worked out in our lives over the years. Much of this material I am sharing in God Had a Plan. Marcella had a choice testimony of how the Lord provided for her in her college education and how He led her to a ‘distant land’ across the United States to meet her husband, Yours Truly.

Marcella had a privileged ministry editing for international students and writing a two-year devotional Bible study for internationals called Daily Quest, particularly ministering to the Chinese for whom she had a special burden. Marcella was a composer of spiritual songs—including a series in Hymns from the High Places (found in appendix X) set to the poetry of Hannah Hurnard, author of Hinds’ Feet on High Places and Mountains of Spices, as well as a Jewish musical and many sacred songs with piano accompaniment. The catalogue of her compositions is in appendix VI.

I extend a special thank-you to cousin Sherry Stocking Kline in sharing her Breneman family research, including the Breneman US censuses for many years going back to the early 1800s. She produced significant family tree data that is immeasurably valuable, as it introduces us to the Breneman leg of ancestry and God’s plan for their lives all the way back into the 1700s as the Lord protected them from religious persecution and preserved the family that was a fourth of my heritage. Thanks also to Selinda Breneman Setchell for invaluable clarifications and pictures of Breneman family members back five generations.

I am grateful to Walter (Waltie) Frisbie for references to Marcella’s dad and his granddad William Leslie Frisbie—and to his sister Mary Frisbie Dinan for family dates and support.

I am indebted to ex-son-in-law Chris Martin for his expertise in computer techniques, image editing and formatting for the computer setup that enabled the preparation of the manuscript, and for his insights into publishing options. For this I shall forever be grateful.

INTRODUCTION

In the beginning, this writing sets the stage for bringing together the ancestry of Orlan Earl Thomas and Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas. Indeed God had a plan in bringing the two together in holy matrimony. Following the genealogy—some of it as far back as the tenth generation, and presented in a manner much like the genealogies of the Bible—there is family history presented in pedigrees, words, and photos.

The third chapter, Life and Times of Orlan Earl Thomas, includes my growing-up years.

The Lord’s work in preparing me for my first teaching position, and the making of that position available at just the right time, was indeed nothing less than a miracle. Yes, God had a plan!

The bringing together of Marcella and myself was in every way the Lord’s doing. First, He kept me available, and second, He led Marcella to her first employment after college graduation as soprano soloist with Back to the Bible Broadcast in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Lord’s hand moved me to pursue a doctorate at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, not only leading me to it but seeing me through the obstacles that the evil one put before me. Apart from the Lord’s hand, these challenges would have driven me to completely give up that pursuit before I’d even begun.

The passing of my dad by way of an apparently freak accident turned out to be the Lord’s divine provision for my mother’s lifetime care. Dad had always said that in the event of his premature death, God would take care of my mom. And the Lord did so for another thirty years.

The way the Lord uniquely provided a thirty-four-year teaching position for this head of household was in every way His doing, which no one can dispute.

Our first child was with the Lord at the age of six months. We never blamed the Lord, as we were like Job of the Old Testament who suffered a similar loss and said, The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

The Lord gave us other children—yes, a living heritage and our whole family has been blessed by opportunities to share the love of Christ virtually around the world, from which we have built lasting global friendships.

The way the Lord provided a family homestead was in every way a God thing.

The home-going of my mother left a huge vacuum in our lives, as Mother had lived with our family for twenty-nine years, including the time our children came and grew up and beyond. She was a very strong, positive influence on us all—and a spiritual giant in the home. We look forward to that great reunion in glory in God’s own time.

In making a decision on a couple of our mission adventures, the Lord brought us to the realization that we just needed to step out of the boat like Peter of the scriptures. We needed to keep our eyes on the Lord, and He would direct our paths. Truly, it was a matter of taking that step of faith and finding the rock beneath that gave us the encouragement to walk on water.

The fifteenth chapter, Life and Times of Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas, is the record of a life dedicated to the Lord—with a special burden for the Chinese. It was nothing short of miraculous the way the Lord provided for her in her college days and led her to further God’s great plan for her life as well as putting the two of us together. Had she not been obedient to the Lord’s direction in her life, we would not have met, and God’s plan would have been thwarted.

The Lord gave us fifty years of marriage. Marcella was pushing really hard to reach this anniversary, as she was in the grip of multiple myeloma cancer that threatened her life. God was good and granted her that wish, for which we all praised the Lord.

Marcella’s home-going was a time of earthly sadness, yet it was a time of rejoicing for her to have entered the presence of her Lord. Her testimony and admonitions left behind will live on into all eternity. Her memorial service was truly a time of celebration of a life that had counted for the Lord. See appendix I.

The next chapter in my life came with my relocation to Norman, Oklahoma, where twin daughters reside and carry on Identical Dental Laboratory. This move was necessary so I could be where family could be there for me after my open heart surgery.

The saying too soon olt and too late schmart certainly came to me as I entered the realm of octogenarians in 2015 and received a wonderful once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Finally, The Legacy (chapter 20) is one of honoring the Lord and reflecting on family spiritually, as well as reviewing the many things that have been a part of this heritage. Yes, God had a plan, and the unique way He carried out that plan was indeed beautiful to behold.

To God be the glory!

Though sometimes rugged,

sometimes smooth,

sometimes steep and even

sometimes treacherous,

OUR JOURNEY

was led of the Lord who

was always present to see

us through. I trust our walk

will have left a mark upon

this legacy that will

encourage each reader to

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Paraphrased from Proverbs 3:5-6.

God Had a Plan

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Yellowstone National Park, Photo by Orlan E.Thomas.

CHAPTER 1

GENEALOGY

According to God’s plan, man was created in God’s own image. God had a plan for mankind in putting him on earth, and when He ordained what He called marriage—the bringing of male and female together that would produce offspring and thus populate the whole earth—God indeed had a great plan! The Bible tells us that not only was man created in God’s image but God designed him in His plan even before the foundation of the earth. In His plan for man we see reflections of the very attributes of God Himself.

God created both man and woman, and it was in His plan that man should not live alone but take a wife for companionship and procreation. In that union of these two as one flesh, we see the begetting of living human beings, the combining of genes to make a new being—a unique person according to God’s plan, enhanced with likeness from both mother and father, and unlike any other in all God’s creation. This was confirmed to us when God informed the prophet Jeremiah, Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations (Jeremiah 1:5).

Yes, God knows us even before we are mere cells conceived in our mothers’ womb. God has a plan for each life, just as He did for the prophet Jeremiah, and we are promised that that plan will be fulfilled as we yield our lives to Him.

God’s Plan Brings Couple Together

It was the fulfillment of God’s plan to create a very specific couple within His creation: Orlan Earl Thomas and Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas. This book is an autobiographical memoir of God’s plan for their lives, which was uniquely fulfilled through the many steps of faith that found the rock beneath.

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Orlan at Twenty-Two Months,

(Image from family archive by father, Leslie E. Thomas, December 1936)

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Marcella at Two Years

(image from family archive by mother, Winifred Ramsey Frisbie, March 1938).

Here they are on their wedding day, August 25, 1962.

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O&M Wedding Day

(image from family archive by father, Leslie E. Thomas, August 1962).

First are these genealogical deductions as they relate to Orlan Earl Thomas, son of Leslie Earl Thomas and Bernice Virginia Breneman who came as no accident but were divinely ordered in God’s great plan.

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Thomas, Leslie E., High School Graduation

(image from family archive by Leslie Thomas with tripod, June 1928).

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Bernice V. Breneman, High School Graduation

(image from family archive by Leslie E. Thomas, June 1928).

The genealogy of the blood line, father to father, begins here in summary with known ancestors starting with the father of first generation Orlan E. Thomas (b. 1935), that of second generation Leslie Earl Thomas (1910–1967) to the sixth and eighth generations.

See here the Thomas family tree.

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Thomas/Headley/Rasdall/Downey Family Tree, from family archive displayed on Grant L. Misbach, www.Misbach.org, c. 2002.

This is their known pictorial pedigree.

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Thomas/Headley/Rasdall/Downey Family Pictorial Pedigree,

photographers unknown, collected by Orlan Thomas, public domain before 1920.

Regarding the paternal line of second-generation father Leslie Earl Thomas, his parents were third-generation Cecil Eli Thomas (1883–1947) and Anna Florence Headley Thomas (1891–1936).

Grandfather Cecil Eli Thomas was begat by fourth-generation James William Thomas (1857–1940) and Ella Valindenham Rasdall Thomas (1863–1887).

In a personal letter written by Ella V. Rasdall Thomas—dated June 6, 1887 (the year of her death being October 7, 1887)—she sent greetings to her Aunt Cornie and Uncle Ambrose, describing her general well-being and news of her family. Here is her letter typed for clarity. (See original handwritten letter in appendix X.)

My Dear Aunt Cornie (& Uncle Ambrose): June 6, 1887

I know you will be surprised to receive a letter from me, but I hope it will surprise you enough to answer it. I very seldom hear from any of you’s and I think about all of you so often, so just concluded this morn I would write a few lines …

Well Auntie, I hope you are all enjoying good health; but if you are, it is more than I am doing. I have had no health for about a year. Our Doctor says I have consumption; my left lung is in a very bad fix. I am able to be up most of the time. I suffer a great deal, but I hope I may still get well to raise my little boys; I have two nearly the same size. My oldest is named Cecil Eli and the other, Earl Loraine. Their ages are, one 4, the other 3. We think they are two fine boys but I suppose that is natural with all parents. I want to have a family group taken before long; will send you one if I do.

I was up to see pa and ma about three weeks ago; they were all well. Pa has in 90 Acres of corn; has plowed it over twice, keeps one hand and makes a hand his self. (Hope) he holds out as well as lots of young men; and ma is tolerably fleshy and likes her pipe as well as ever …

Well the corn crop looks very promising—a very poor wheat crop this year and some rats not looking very well. We are blessed with a rain occasionally and gardens all look nice. I have no garden in this year; we intended going West, but Mr. Thomas’s mother got her hip broken and she has been so bad we could not leave. The Doctors all advise me to go to the mountains.

Bro. Ewing Lamb is very low … He never has seemed to care to live since our dear Lucy was taken from him; that was the greatest trial I have ever had to bear. I have thought I could sympathize with others, but I never knew what it was before. Lucy was the pet of the family and it nearly killed us to give her up, but she had suffered so much and was such a sweet Christian. I know it is wrong to grieve after her for we will all soon have to go the same road. (Sister) Fannie does not have very good health; looks awful poor and bad …

Well Uncle Ambrose how are you getting along? Do you raise your fine tobacco yet and your big watermelons? I would love to visit old Barren County again, but am afraid I never will …

I have 53 chickens. I have had awfully bad luck this year with them; some are nearly large enough to fry; frying chickens are worth $3.00 a dozen here; eggs are only 10 cents (doz.) now; butter, 10 cents.

I do not know of any news that would interest you. Now Aunt Cornie, I want you to answer this and tell me all the news; tell me about all of my kinfolks. Come out and see us. With much love to all of you, I remain your disabled niece, Ella V. Thomas (3-1-1863 / 10-7-1887.) Direct to Anthony, Kansas, Harper County.

(Thomas, Ella V. Rasdall, Letter to Aunt Cornie & Uncle Ambrose, from family archive, Anthony, Kansas, Harper County. Public domain, June 6, 1887.)

The Rasdalls had seven daughters, all of whom died within one year from consumption, which we call tuberculosis. All were probably under thirty years of age.

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Eli Rasdall (Ella Upper Left) Family Portrait.

Image from family archive: Wellington, Kansas, public domain, 1887.

Cecil’s father, fourth-generation James William Thomas, was begat by fifth-generation Rosamus S. Thomas (1826–1876) and Grace Walters Thomas (1835–1865). Fifth-generation Rosamus Thomas was begat by sixth-generation Henry W. Thomas (1777–1846) and Mary Nell Thomas (1786–1843). Henry Thomas was begat by yet another Thomas, and the family line goes back, generation after generation, to the first man, Adam, the father of all mankind created by God.

Regarding the paternal line of third-generation grandmother Anna Florence Headley Thomas (1891–1936), mother of Leslie Earl Thomas, her parents were fourth-generation James Edmon Headley (1866–1932) and Asachasach Louisa Downey Headley (1866–1930).

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James Headley Family Portrait.

Image from family archive, public domain, c. 1920.

The following obituary for James E. Headley is from the Wellington Daily News (Kansas), October 2, 1932.

James E. Headley Taken in Death: Long-time resident of Sumner County succumbed to a long illness. James Edmon Headley, 66, resident of Sumner County for 22 years died at the home of son, Everett Headley following an illness of six weeks. He was born in Missouri April 28, 1866, moved to Gray County, Kansas while still a young man, later going to Kingman, Kansas where he was married to Louisa Downey on March 20, 1890. About 22 years ago they came to Sumner County locating on a farm near Wellington. He was a member of the Lutheran Church. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Florence Headley Thomas of Wellington and Mrs. Georgia Mott of Medford, Oklahoma; three sons, Everett and William of near Wellington, Amos of Clearwater and 25 grandchildren. He was buried in the Prairie Lawn Cemetery, Wellington Sumner County, Kansas.

(Headley, James E., Obituary, Wellington, Kansas Daily News, October 2, 1932. Used by permission granted by office manager, Jackie Fullerton, Wellington Daily News, December 14, 2015.)

Third-generation grandmother (lower left of photo p. 13) Anna Florence Headley Thomas’s father fourth-generation James Edmond Headley was begat by fifth-generation Joseph Headley (1880–1906) and Hannah L. (unknown) Headley (1828–1867). Joseph Headley was begat by sixth-generation Ruben Headley (1794–1860) and Luiza Harper Headley (1808–1876). Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

As for the paternal line of fourth-generation grandmother Ella Valindenham Rasdall Thomas (1863–1887), mother of Cecil Eli Thomas, her parents were fifth-generation Eli James Rasdall (1826–1903) and Arabelle (Belle) Willie Clayton Thomas (1836–1914). Eli James Rasdall was begat by sixth-generation Robert Ragsdale [Rasdall] (1779–1849) and Elizabeth Wright Rasdall (1784–1856). Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of fourth-generation grandmother Asachasach Louisa Downey Headley (1866–1930), mother of Anna Florence Headley; fourth-generation Louisa’s parents were fifth-generation Amos Downey (1841–1918) and Anna Lucretia Barnes Downey (1846–1907). Here is the obituary for Asachasach Louisa Downey Headley (Mrs. James E. Headley) from the Wellington Daily News (Kansas), September 1, 1930:

Mrs. James E. (Asachasach Louisa) Downey Headley was born in Cumberland County, Illinois, April 13, 1866 and passed away at the home of her eldest son, Everett near Wellington, Kansas, August 31, 1930. She met and married James E. Headley in 1844. In 1911, she with her husband moved to Sumner County, Kansas, where they made their home on a farm near Wellington. While a young woman she united with the Methodist Church at Protection, Kansas and has always endeavored to manifest her faith by her daily example. After she came to Sumner County, the only church near enough for her to attend was the Presbyterian at Perth, Kansas. Here she placed her membership and continued an active member as long as her health would permit. She left to mourn her departure, her husband, James E. Headley; two daughters, Mrs. Florence Headley Thomas of near Wellington and Mrs. Georgia Headley Mott, Medford, Oklahoma; three sons, Everett and William Headley of near Wellington, and Amos Headley of Clearwater; 22 grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Minnie McKenzie, and one brother, James Downey, both of Santa Fe, N.M."

(Headley, Mrs. James E. Downey (Asachasach Louisa), Obituary, Wellington Daily News (Kansas), August 31, 1930. Used by permission granted by office manager, Jackie Fullerton, Wellington Daily News, December 14, 2015.)

The following obituary for Amos Downey is from the Kingman Leader Courier (Kansas):

Amos Downey was born in Holton, Indiana, October 1, 1841; died September 22, 1918 at age 76. He apparently went to visit his great granddaughter Ella Thomas Arthaud walking in the rain through fields, took the flu and subsequently died. He grew up in Indiana. His first wife died when son Steven was nine months of age. His second wife, Anna Barnes Headley bore Asachasach Louisa, mother of Anna Florence Downey Thomas. Amos was converted to the Lord at age eleven. He served in the Civil War nine months in Company F of the 59th Division. He and his wife were earnest Christian workers having gone to church twice the last Sunday he lived. He was a resident of Kingman, Kansas some twenty years where he was in the employ of the Santa Fe Railway Company. He was noted for his strict honesty and uprightness of character and a citizen of good repute. They donated their estate to the Methodist Church. His burial was at Trinidad, Colorado, by the side of his second wife, Anna Lucretia Barnes."

(Downey, Amos, Obituary, Kingman Leader Courier (Kansas), public domain, September 23, 1918.)

Fifth-generation Amos Downey was begat by sixth-generation John Downey (1813–1900) and Sarah Gibson Downey (1813–1880). The following is the newspaper obituary for John Downey: Death of an Octogenarian:

John Downey was born March 1st, 1813 in Hamilton County, Ohio on the Little Miama, near Turkey Bottom. His father immigrated to Indiana in 1818 when John was 5 years old and settled near Rising Sun, in Ohio County.

My father’s home, he said, was a preaching place for many years. On the first day of April, 1829, he met Miss Sarah Gibson, they were both converted and joined the church, and on the 4th day of February 1839, they were married. He said, ‘They lived together fifty years, one month and fourteen days and he always thanked God for a true Christian companion. She died in the full assurance of a blessed Immortality and he expected to meet her in the better land.’

Downey moved to Ripley County about the year 1840 and joined the church by letter where he was class leader for seventeen years and he said, ‘They were the happiest years of my life.’ He said, ‘We built a church in Holton. I was the leader of eighty members and I hope to meet many of them in the better land.’

There were born of his first marriage thirteen children … In 1862 he moved to Illinois and settled on a farm in Big Spring Township, Shelby County, where he joined the church and was active in church work for many years.

In the year 1880 he was again married. This time to Mrs. Sarah Young … He departed this life January 7, 1900 to that City which hath foundations whose Maker and Builder is God. He is survived in addition to his wife, by son Amos, and three other children. As recorded, he was a devout Christian, a good friend and loved by many people. Father Downey was a good, honest, faithful Christian man and during his long life has been the instrument in doing much good. The Rev. Gaskill, a veteran minister made a good talk from the text, ‘If a man dies, shall he live again?’ The Methodist church was filled with sympathizing friends."

(Downey, John, obituary, Death of an Octogenarian, from family archive, public domain, January 8, 1900.)

Sixth-generation John Downey was begat by seventh-generation Richard Downey (1788–1877) and Phebe Hulford Downey (1787–1841). Seventh-generation Richard Downey was begat by eighth-generation James Downey (1756-1844) and Mary Seaborn Downey (?). Beyond the eighth generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Grace Walters Thomas (1835–1865), mother of James William Thomas: Grace’s parents were sixth-generation Conrad Walters (1780–1858) and Margaret Peggy Larue Walters (1784–1860). Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Arabelle (Belle) Willie Clayton Rasdall (1836–1914), mother of fourth-generation Ella Valindenham Rasdall Thomas: Arabelle’s parents were sixth-generation John S. Clayton (1792–1873) and Lucinda Dodd Clayton (1804–1882). Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

As to the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Hannah L. (unknown) Headley (1828–1867), mother of fourth-generation James Edmond Headley, Hannah’s parents are unknown. Beyond the fifth generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Anna Lucretia Barnes Downey (1846–1907), mother of Asachasach Louisa Downey, Anna’s parents are unknown. Beyond the fifth generation is unknown.

The ancestries of these sixth-generation grandmothers are unknown:

• Mary Nell Thomas (1786–1843), mother of fifth-generation Rosamus S. Thomas (1826–1876)

• Margaret Peggy Larue Walters (1784–1860), mother of fifth-generation Grace Walters (1780–1858)

• Elizabeth Wright Rasdall (1779–1849), mother of fifth-generation Eli James Rasdall (1826–1903)

• Lucinda Dodd Clayton (1792–1873), mother of fifth-generation Arabelle Willie Clayton (1836–1914)

• Leuiza Harper Headley(1808-1876), mother of fifth-generation Joseph Headley (1880-1906)

• Sarah Gibson Downey (1813–1880), mother of fifth-generation Amos Downey (1841–1918)

In the line of seventh-generation grandmothers is Phebe Hulford Downey (1787–1841), mother of sixth-generation John Downey (1813–1900).

In the line of eighth-generation grandmothers is Mary Seaborn Downey (?), mother of seventh-generation Richard Downey (1788–1877).

Now to the Mother of first-generation Orlan E. Thomas (b. 1935) who was second-generation Bernice Virginia Breneman Thomas (1910–1997). This ancestry is known up into the sixth and tenth generations. (Note that the name Breneman appears as a number of different spellings.)

Regarding the paternal line of mother second-generation Bernice Virginia Breneman Thomas, her parents were third-generation Otto Con Breneman (1880–1930) and Nancy Virginia Hoyt Breneman (1886–1975). Otto C. Breneman was begat by fourth-generation Thomas Constantine Breneman (1843–1928) and Salinda Esther Rose Breneman (1855–1936). Thomas Constantine Breneman was begat by fifth-generation Christian Breneman (1814–1884) and Mary A. Robison Breneman (b. 1821–?). Christian Breneman was begat by sixth-generation Richard Brenneman (1779–1857) and Wilhelmina Hopkins Taylor Brenneman (1795–1865). Richard Brenneman was begat by seventh-generation William Breneman (1730–1787) and Mary (Unknown). William Breneman was begat by eighth-generation Christian Breneman (?–1759) and Suzanna Levering Breneman (?). This Christian Breneman who died in 1759 was begat by ninth-generation Melchior Brenneman (2) (b. 1631) and wife Elizabeth (Unknown). Ninth-generation Melchior Brenneman was begat by tenth-generation Melchior Brenneman (1) and wife (unknown). Beyond the tenth generation is unknown.

(Please note that numerals 1, 2, and 3 have been inserted to distinguish between the Melchiors, as the name was used multiple times.)

See the accompanying Breneman family tree, again bearing in mind that the Breneman family accepts a number of different surname spellings.

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Breneman-Rose-Ames Family Tree,

pp. 1-4 from family archive. Image by Grant L. Misbach, www.Misbach.org,c. 2002.

An extensive history of the Breneman family is presented in chapter 2. The known pictorial pedigree is provided here as the first part of the known history of the Brenemans.

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Breneman/Hoyt/Rose/Ames Pictorial Pedigree.

Images from family archive; photographers unknown, collected by Orlan Thomas, public domain, before 1920.

Here is the paternal line of third-generation grandmother Nancy Virginia Hoyt Breneman (1886–1975), mother of 2nd-generation Bernice Virginia Breneman. Nancy’s parents were fourth-generation Joseph Edward Hoyt (1860–1923) and Wilhelmina Dewein Hoyt (1860–1938). Joseph Edward Hoyt (upper center of photo) was begat by fifth-generation James Louis Hoyt (1834–1908) and Eliza Ellen Grove Hoyt (1839–1918).

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Hoyt, James Louis, Family Portrait

from family archive: Mayfield, Kansas, public domain, 1880.

Fifth-generation James Louis Hoyt was begat by sixth-generation Vincent Hoyt (1806–1873) and Lucinda Nidav Hoyt (1811–1872). Beyond the sixth-generation is unknown.

See below, known Hoyt, Dewein, Daussmann family tree.

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Hoyt-Dewein-Daussmann Family Tree, pp. 1- 3,

from family archive. Image by Grant L. Misbach, www.Misbach.org, c. 2002.

As for the paternal line of fourth-generation grandmother Salinda Esther Rose Breneman (1855–1936), mother of third-generation Otto Con Breneman, Salinda’s parents were fifth-generation Eden Rose (1822–1885) and Elsie Ames Rose (1826–1917).

The following obituary for Mrs. Elsie Rose is from the Tribune Newspaper (Blair, Nebraska), 1917:

Elsie Ames Rose was born in Morgan Co. Ohio, July 5, 1826, and departed life at Blair, Nebraska, May 5, 1917 at age 90 years, 10 months. Elsie’s parents Dorsey Pentecost Ames (1802–1876) and Susan (Pierce) Ames (1805–1893) were born in Pennsylvania, but moved with their parents to Ohio and were married in Morgan County, Ohio in August of 1825 and Elsie was born to them about 11 months later. She grew to womanhood there in Ohio, and was married to Eden Rose, August 24, 1845. To this union 5 children were born, two of whom survived the mother, Mrs. Salinda Esther Rose Breneman (1855–1936), now of Milan, Kansas, and Abraham William Rose (1848–1914) of Blair, Nebraska. Mrs. Rose had 30 grandchildren, 22 were still living at the time of her death, and 48 great grandchildren. Also living was one brother, S.H. Ames of Muscatine, Iowa, and one sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Wamsley of Columbus Junction, Iowa. In 1850 Mrs. Rose moved to Iowa and became a member of the Presbyterian Church at Conesville, Iowa. In 1882 she came to Nebraska and joined the Grace M.E. Church of Kennard, Nebraska in February, 1891, where she held her membership at the time of her death. Funeral services were held at the M.E. Church and burial was made in the Kennard Cemetery.

(Rose, Elsie Ames, Obituary, Pilot-Tribune Enterprise News (Blair, Nebraska), public domain, May 9, 1917.)

Fifth-generation Eden Rose was begat by sixth-generation Jeremiah Rose (?) and Lydia (Unknown) Rose (?). Jeremiah Rose was begat by seventh-generation Tychicus Rose (?) and Catherine (Unknown) Rose (?). Beyond the seventh generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of sixth-generation grandmother Lydia (Unknown) Rose (?), mother of fifth-generation Eden Rose was Lydia Unknown, her parents are unknown. Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

As for the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Elsie Ames Rose (1826–1917), mother of fourth-generation Salinda Esther Rose, Elsie’s parents were sixth-generation Dorsey Pentecost Ames (1802–1876) and Susan Pierce Ames (1805–1893). Sixth-generation Dorsey Pentecost Ames was begat by seventh-generation Jabez Ames (?) and Elizabeth Smith Ames (?). Beyond the seventh generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of sixth-generation grandmother Susan Pierce Ames (1805–1893), mother of fifth-generation Elsie Ames, Susan’s parents are unknown. Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

As for the paternal line of fourth-generation grandmother Wilhelmina Dewein Hoyt (1860–1938), mother of third-generation Nancy Virginia Hoyt, Wilhelmina’s parents were fifth-generation Johannes Dewein (1817–1879) and Katharine Rapp Dewein (1819–1891). Fifth-generation Johannes Dewein was begat by sixth-generation Konrad Dewein (1785–1844) and Elizabetha Daussmann Dewein (1787–?). Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Katharine Rapp Dewein (1819–1891), mother of fourth-generation Wilhelmina Dewein, Katharine’s parents were sixth-generation Daniel Rapp (?) and wife (unknown). Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

In the paternal line of sixth-generation grandmother Elizabetha Daussmann Dewein (1787–?), mother of fifth-generation Johannes Dewein, Eliabetha’s parents were seventh-generation Christian Daussmann (1753–1803) and Catharina Eifriedin Daussmann (1745–1817). Seventh-generation Christian Daussmann was begat by eighth-generation Heinrich Daussmann (?) and Maria Elizabeth Schaefer Daussmann (?). Beyond the eighth generation is unknown.

Regarding the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Mary A. Robison Breneman (?), mother of fourth-generation Thomas Constantine Breneman, her parents are unknown. Beyond the fifth generation is unknown.

As for the paternal line of fifth-generation grandmother Eliza Ellen Grove Hoyt (1839–1918), mother of fourth-generation Joseph Edward Hoyt, Eliza’s parents were sixth-generation Abraham Grove (1797–1869) and Sarah A. Griner Grove (1806–1889). Beyond the sixth generation is unknown.

The union of Leslie Earl Thomas (1910–1967) and Bernice Virginia Breneman (1910–1997) begins and substantiates the complete known lineage of the male subject himself, Orlan E. Thomas.

The lineage of Leslie E. Thomas and Bernice Virginia Breneman Thomas is found in each respective family pedigree.

The script of my name under the following picture (about 1960) was penned by my dad, Leslie Earl Thomas, who took special training in Palmer-style penmanship.

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Thomas, Orlan E. Orlan c. 1960; Image from family archive by father, Leslie E. Thomas, August, 1960.

Genealogical deductions as related to Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas (1936–2013):

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William Leslie Frisbie, portrait from family archive; Hawley, Pennsylvania, public domain, 1910.

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Winifred Virginia Ramsey Frisbie, portrait from family archive; Hawley, Pennsylvania, public domain, 1918.

This constitutes the bringing together of the particular man and woman, William Leslie Frisbie (1890–1972) and Winifred Virginia Ramsey (1896–1965), who brought forth a daughter named Marcella Evangeline Frisbie, whose birth was no accident though she was five years younger than her next older sibling. God’s divine plan included the eventual union of Marcella and Yours Truly, Orlan E. Thomas.

The genealogy of the Frisbie bloodline, father to father, begins here with the father of first-generation Marcella Evangeline Frisbie (1936–2013), whose parents were second-generation William Leslie Frisbie (1890–1972) and Winifred Virginia Ramsey Frisbie (1896–1965). Second-generation William Leslie Frisbie was begat by third-generation William L. Frisbie (1856–1926) (born at the Eddy Hotel in Hawley, Pennsylvania) and Mary Elizabeth Higginson Frisbie (b. March 3, 1863).

This couple was married July 3, 1882, in Rondout, New Jersey. Mary was the daughter of fourth-generation Colonel Higginson, who was a colonel in the Civil War. They moved to Hawley on a canal boat on the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Canal. There were eight children born to this marriage:

• Otto Ellsworth Frisbie, born March 26, 1883, who disappeared in WWI without a trace in government records

• Charles Enos Frisbie, born March 26, 1884

• George Ray Frisbie, born March 5 1886

• Harry James Frisbie, born February 12, 1889

• William Leslie Frisbie, born July 12, 1890 (father of Marcella Evangeline Frisbie)

• Bessie Ruth Frisbie, born May 16, 1892 (died at about age thirteen)

• Floyd Frisbie, died March 10, 1902, at ten months of age

• Lucy May Frisbie Countryman, born August 22, 1893

William and Harry were glass cutters in their early days, and they left unique specimens for posterity. William’s sister, Aunt Lucy, gave Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas the beautiful cut-glass bowl carved by her brother Harry for a wedding gift. A cut-glass platter carved by William Leslie Frisbie was given to Marcella by her mother, Winifred Ramsey Frisbie. Both of these have been passed on to Marcella’s daughter, Jolita Elise Thomas Holasek. See these in chapter 20: The Legacy."

Marcella’s granddad, third-generation William L. Frisbie (1856-1926) was begat by fourth-generation Enos B. Frisbie (d. 1862) and Margaret Ann (Sarah) Millham (1838–1905); Fourth generation Sarah’s parents were fifth-generation John (James) Millham (1804–1886) and wife Charity (Unknown) Millham (?). Fifth-generation John (James) Millham was born in Newton, New Jersey, and came to Hawley in 1836, settling on a farm one mile east of Hawley. Fifth-generation John (James) Millham was begat by sixth-generation Morris Millham (d. 1786) and Margaret (Unknown) Millham (?).

William Leslie’s granddad fourth-generation Enos B. Frisbie was begat by fifth-generation George Frisbie (?) and wife (unknown), who was begat by yet other Frisbies going back, generation after generation, to first man, Adam, whose Father was God.

The union of William Leslie Frisbie (1890–1972) and Winifred Virginia Ramsey (1896–1965) begat son Walter (1929–2002), daughters Virginia (1926–2012) and Florence (1927–2008), son Arthur (b. 1931) and daughter Marcella Evangeline Frisbie Thomas (1936–2013), who, with husband Orlan Earl Thomas, begat daughter Bernieta Ruth Thomas (1968–1969), who was born with a heart defect and was deceased at age six months, which story is in chapter 9. This union further begat son Marlan Paul Thomas (b. 1970), who begat sons Ethan Paul Thomas (b. 1998) and Aiden Geoffrey Thomas (b. 2003) as well as daughters Sierra Noell (b. 1995), Autumn Starr (b. 1999), and Erin Grace (b. 2004).

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Marlan Thomas Family: Erin, Sierra, Starr, Ethan, Marlan, Autumn and Aiden. Image from family archive by Orlan Thomas in Grand Island, Nebraska, April 2015.

The Frisbie-Thomas marriage also produced twin daughters, born in 1972. Anita Berniece Thomas Cranford, with Clay Cranford, begat son Austin Stewart Cranford (b. 1995).

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Anita Thomas Cranford and son, Austin Stewart Cranford, image from family archive by Orlan Thomas in Norman, Oklahoma, December 25, 2014.

Twin 2, Jolita Elise Thomas Holasek, with first husband, Daniel Vance (who died at age forty-one of a heart attack), begat daughters Alexis Nicole (b. 1995) and Taylor Marie (b. 1999). To Jolita and second husband Jason Holasek (b. 1980) were born son Tristin Braden (b. 2005) and daughter Izabella Faith (b. 2009).

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Jolita Thomas Holasek Family, image from family archive by Orlan Thomas in Norman, Oklahoma, December 25, 2014.

Here, in two photos with their grandpa Thomas, are the ten grandchildren: Marlan’s five who live in Nebraska and Jolita’s four, and Anita’s one who live in Oklahoma.

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The Orlan and Marcella Thomas Nebraska Grands, image from family archive by Orlan Thomas in Grand Island, Nebraska, April 2015.

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"The Orlan and Marcella Thomas