Our grandparents, Lyle and Doris Koontz had 10 children. The third child died 12 days after she was born. She was born on December 12, 1915. The 2 children that were in the home at the time were Gerald age 6 1/2. Lois age 2 1/2. Marjorie who was born a little over a year later after the baby's death told me of the circumstance of the death as she was told. She said the baby was born with an open spine---it was indicated to her that it was pretty severe as far as the opening was concerned. She said that her dad immediately begin to make a coffin for the baby knowing that it wouldn't live very long. According to the death certificate, a doctor on the day of the birth was in attendance. But, I noted that was the one and only time the doctor saw the baby. I received a copy of a letter written by Stella Starner----a sister to Grandma Doris. She was writing genealogy information about their family as she understood it. This is what she wrote about our family, obviously there are many mistakes!
"Dorcas (changed to Doris) Laurinda (Goss) Koontz b - June 28, 1887 d - Sept 1932, married Elbert Lyle Koontz b - Dec 3 1886-7, mar - June 1907 Durango, Colo. d-June '64, Children: (1) Gerald Lewis b -Dec 29, 1909, died ? - (2) Bonnie Lois b - May 13, 1912, (3) Leiala born and died 1914, (4) Marjorie Loraine Koontz b- 1916, (5) Herbert L. Koontz b Dec 2 1918 (lives near Fred's), (6) Bryce L. Koontz b - June 8 1920, (7) Lloyd Koontz b April 22, 1922 (8) Paul L. Koontz b Feb 29, 1924, (9) Raymond L. Koontz (not sure -cir. 1926-27) - I haven't seen him or - (10) Charles Lindberg Koontz, he was born following Lindbergs trip to Paris (1928) I think Raymond's was 1926 (I do have record - don't know where)."
Many mistakes in her history of our family, but she was in the ball park most of the time. But, I have been intrigued by the fact that she gave a name for baby Koontz - Leiala. Aunt Marjorie said that this was not correct, that the baby was never named. But, who knows what sisters wrote about back then.
I WONDER WHAT TOLEPES IS?
The top picture taken in 1910 in Sanders Idaho, Whitman County. (according to 1910 census record) Dorris was 22 with 1 child, Gerald 1 4/12. Grandma's sister Etta was living with them at the time, she was 21. Grandpa was 24 and a farmer. The picture below was taken after Aunt Marjorie was born, in Sanders. The note to me was written by cousin Dennis Boulger. Does anyone in the family have the quilt that is shown here that Dennis says that our Grandmother made?
Hi Christina, I tried to make your comment public but for some reason it doesn't show up. I felt grateful that you shared your grandfather's birthdate with me (my Uncle Ray). Just to let you know I do have his birthdate and it is correct. But Stella did have many mistakes in her information about our family, but she was usually in the ballpark with most. Thanks again for your comment.
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