Stephenson County Genealogy & History

Stephenson County Biographies

Claude Frisbie
Contributed by Alice Brockman
Claude is the son of William Dwight Frisbie
and the grandson of James Frisbie
(Frisbie - Graham - Ray)

Claude Frisbie and Floy Graham Wedding Dec. 29, 1897
Miss Floy Graham, of this place, and Mr Claud Frisbie, of Wellsville, were married in Montgomery City on Wednesday last, Dec 29th, by Eld C. A. Mitchell. Attendants, Claude Poore and Misses Kate Summerton and I.B. Kelly. The groom has a position in his father's hardware store in Wellsville, and is a very steady young man. The bride was one of Middletown's belles, petite, handsome and charming in her ways and of excellent taste in dress. Chips wishes for them a full measure of lifes successes and, happiness.
The Elopement
Claude Frisbie, of Wellesville and Miss Floy Graham, of Middletown, in company with some other young people, came to Montgomery City last Wednesday evening and went to the Wabash Hotel, where they were married at 6:30 o'clock, by Rev. C. A. Mitchell, of this city. After taking supper at the hotel, the happy elopers took the "Com." at 8:10 and went west.

Mrs. Floy Frisbie started on Friday last for Oklahoma, where she goes to join her husband,
who has been located there for some months. They will make that their home.

Floy (Graham) Frisbie Obituary (2 October 1901)
"Our people were shocked Wednesday to hear that Mrs. Claude L. Frisbie had died that morning at her home in Holdenville Indian Territory. She had not been sick very long and the cause of her death was inflammation of the bowels. She was about 20 years old, a daughter of Mr & Mrs W. H. Graham II of near Middletown and had been married to Claude Frisbie about four years. They have been living in the territory about one year, prior to which time they lived here where the deceased won a host of friends by her lovable disposition and who were greatly shocked upon receipt of this sad news. The remains will be brought to Middletown for burial. Claude's many friends here join the Record in extending to him their deep and sincere sympathy in this sad, dark hour. May he find comfort in these familiar words: "It's God's way; his will, not ours, be done." Those from here who attended the funeral of Mrs. Floy Frisbie of Middletown last Friday were: Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Frisbie, George and Clarence Frisbie, Mrs. Blattner, Mrs. Delia Poore, Dr. Straube, Misses Leta Enslen, Maude Straube, Lydia Kuhne, Mr. and Mrs. G.G. Whitehead, Mr. and Mrs. J.Y. Parsons, and Rev. J.J. Henley, who preached the funeral sermon.

NOTES:
Sometime after Father Graham returned home and before Floy died, the Grahams made a trip to visit her when she lived in Okla Territory.
I have a letter that Floy wrote telling that they had taken in a "boarder" to make expenses but that he had been sickly and did not contribute much to the income. Evidently the disease that he had probably contributed to her own death. Ruby Graham, daughter-in-law of Lorinda Graham, always thought they had small pox.

Claude Frisbie and Amanda Lee Ray (his 2nd wife) About July 1905
A courtship of several years resulted Saturday evening in the marriage of Claude Frisbie. of this city, and Miss Amanda Lee Ray, of Middletown. The wedding took place at the home of the bride and only relatives and close friends were present. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Shilling, of Wellsville. After the ceremony was completed the bride and groom and the guests were served a sumptuous luncheon. Mrs. Frisbie is the daughter Judge and Mrs. C.J. Ray, of Middletown. She was popular among the younger set and is known by all as a fine young lady. Mr. Frisbie is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William D. Frisbie, of this city. He is known here as a splendid young business man and at present is as expert machinest in the Enslen Garage. The newlyweds are now at home with Mr. and Mrs. Frisbie, parents of the groom.

Mrs. C.J. Ray had a little unpleasant experience last Friday afternoon she will not soon forget. In an outing with Mrs. W.H. Graham and her daughter Floy, she went to Coon Creek above town to fish. In attempting to cross the creek on a log, she lost her footing and went clean into the water. She had her baby girl in her arms at the time, and came out and all, and was soon helped to dry land. The child was astonished but never even cried. She went to Mrs. Graham's for a dry new wardrobe and from there to home. That satisfied her adventuresome spirit that day, though we did not hear the extent of the catch.
(Mrs. Charles Ray was the wife of a Judge. He and Floy's mother, Lorinda were siblings. This little clipping shows closeness of Floy & Baby Amanda - Both women later married Claude Frisbie.)

Burial of Floy (Graham) Frisbie Died 2 October 1901

Floy about 10 years // Floy around 16 // Floy and sister Daisy in 1897
Photo of Floy & Daisy - Taken in San Bernadino where they went by train for a vacation about 1897

James Frisbie
(Brother of Claude)
A very pretty wedding occurred here Tuesday wherein Miss Emma Schulz and Mr. James Frisbie were united in the holy bonds of wedlock; Rev. J. B. White officiated. The ceremony was performed at the C. P. parsonage, after which the bride and groom returned to the home of the bride's parents where light refreshments were served, only a few intimate friends of the young couple being present. The bride is the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Schulz and one of Wellsville's most lovable young ladies and a favorite with all our young people. Mr. Frisbie is a young man of exemplary habits and in every respect worthy of the heart he has won. Mr. and Mrs. Frisbie left on the 11:14 train for South McAlister, Ind. Ter., where Mr.Frisbie holds a good position as conductor on the Choctaw railroad. The Optic-News join with their many friends here in extending congratulations and best wishes
Emma,infant daughter of Mr. James Frisbie, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Frisbie last Sunday morning, aged one month and fifteen days, the mother of the little girl having died one month ago. Funeral services were conducted at the home Wednesday morning by Rev. Newman, after which a solemn procession laid the remains to rest in the land of the dead. "Suffer little children come unto Me, and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of God."

George Frisbie
(Brother of Claude)

George N. Frisbie Wedding to Ellen Adell Vernette (1900)
A pretty, though quiet wedding which took place Tuesday was that of Mr. George N. Frisbie and Miss Ellen Adell Vernett both of this place. The ceremony took place at 3 o'clock at the residence of the officiating minister Elder Herbert J. Corwine. Only a few friends were present. The only attendants were Mr. Gus Wilson and Miss Emma Lou Briggs, Mr. E. L. Brigham and Miss Leona Stogsdale. The groom is one of Wellsville's most worthy gentlemen, and a moral young man of sterling business qualifications and deserve such a woman as his pretty bride for his life companion. The bride is, a young lady of refinement and culture. She is pretty, but it is a beauty not arising from features or complexion. She has these in a high degree, but it is not by them she touches the heart; it is all that sweetness of temper, benevolence, innocence and sensibility, which a face can express that forms her beauty. She is capable to trod over life's dark, mysterious pathway by the side of her companion and lessen his burdens by her smiles of purest love and words of encouragement. With their many friends her and elsewhere, the Record extends congratulations, and beg leave to express our wish that all they glide along down the river of life their journey may never be retarded or made unpleasant by adverse wind or wave, but shall ever be happy in the knowledge of having kept sacred vows taken upon themselves. The happy couple left this Thursday for Villisca, Iowa, their future home, where the groom has a good position in a large implement and hardware store.
George Frisbie was rushing around town Monday at a speed of about-40 knots, head erect, and a smile from ear to ear. Upon inquiry we learned that it was a nine pound boy, and it is said he resembles his pa very much, 'and that he has already commenced to shout for Roosevelt for president. Grandpa Frisbie was able to be at the store Tuesday morning,

William H. and Lorinda Louise (Ray) Graham
Parents of Floy (Graham) Frisbie

Obituary of Lorinda Louisa (Ray) Graham - mother of Floy (Graham) Frisbie
In the passing of Mrs. L.L. Graham, Middletown loses one of its few remaining pioneer citizens one whose family is closely interwoven with history of Middletown from the old stage coach day till the present. When Middletown was stopping place for cross state travelers Judge James H. Ray, Mrs. Graham's, father was perhaps one of the most widely known personages of Northwest Missouri and his hotel in those days frequently entertained men who were at the time or later became leaders in the two great political parties. Soon after the close of the Civil War, Col. W.H. Graham and the subject of this sketch were married. They made Middletown their home. Col. Harry Graham's history from that time was a part a good sized part, of the history of Middletown. He passed to the other side a few years ago.
Lorinda Louisa (Ray) Graham was born April 15th 1849, six miles west of this place. She was the daughter of Judge James and Nancy Ray. She was married to Col. William H. Graham February 18th 1869. To this union were born six children, three of whom, with her husband, have preceeded her to the other side. She was united with the Christian Church at the of 16 years. Several years later changed her membership to the M.E. Church of which she was a faithful member up to the last. Those left to mourn her departure are: Estella Ford of Gazette, Daisy E. and William H. of this place. At her request, supplemented by Miss Daisy, a funeral discourse was delivered by Elder W.J. Hardesty on the Victory over death through Jesus Christ our Savior. Sister Graham was one of the landmarks of Middletown. She never turned away a hungry person from her door, but fed the poorest of the poor. Her every need was supplied by her dear children, especially Miss Daisy, who was ever by her side with a loving heart and tender willing hands to administer to her every care. A mother in Israel has fallen. Her body was laid to rest by the side of her dear husband in Middletown cemetery. The floral offerings were profuse in deed. She lies under a blanket of flowers till Jesus comes again. (W.J.H.)

Obituary of William H. Graham - Father of Floy (Graham) Frisbie
Photo of William and Lorinda
Tuesday morning at 8:30 o'clock, W.H. Graham died at his home in this place. He was born near Payson, IL, on Feb. 2, 1843; died April 17, 1917, aged 74 years, 2 months and 15 days. For a long time he had been in poor health but of late it was plainly noticable, that at his advanced age, his recuperative powers were not equal to the recurrent attacks to which he was subject. Of late he had often spoke of dizziness and pains in the head. Last Saturday while tempting to get out of the chair after being shaved, he suffered an apopletic stroke. He was taken immediately to his home where he soon lapsed into unconsciousness in which condition he remained until the end came, despite the efforts of physician and nurse. He served his country three years during the civil war, a member of Co. K 50th IL Infantry, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the war. By this thrifty habits he was enabled to leave the army with nearly $1,000, and to 1866 in company with a soldier friend, Foster P. Cook, came to Middletown and engaged in business and from that time till the day of his call to the other shore he has been one of the sbstantial business men of Middletown, being one of the founders of the Bank of Middleton, in which institution he has always held a place in the directorate and at time of demise held the office of president. In 1869 he was married to Mrs. Lorinda L. Ray, daughter to Judge James H. Ray, who died many years ago in his home which stood on the present site of the Graham home. To the union were born six children, three of whom, together with the mother are left to mourn the departure of father and husband. The children are: Mrs. Estella Ford, Gazette, Daisy E. who resides at home and W.H. Jr., who lives on the farm just out of town on the Wellsville road. In the death of W.H. Graham the town and community has lost one of the oldest and most substantial citizens, the family a kind and indulgent husband and father. He was a life long member of the M.E. Church, having joined that church when but 19 years of age. Rev. Pittker, assisted by Rev. Lovelace, conducted funeral services at the M.E. Church, at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, following which the remains were laid to rest in Fairmount Cemetery, in the presence of a large concourse of relatives and friends. Honorary Pall Bearers were: A. M. Lafferty, R.M. Hendershott, I.H. Dillon, G.W. Duncan, J.T. Alward and Gen. Bell, all old comrades of E.E. Kimball Post G.A.R. Active Pall Bearers, Chas Helm, M.M. Davidson, C. Pearson, H.O. Robinson, J.E. Wagner.

Residence of W.H. and Lorinda Louisa (Ray) Graham
Floy in middle between her mother Lorinda in black & sister by the tree 1890's
Siblings in photo are Daisy, Willie with a bike and Stella

Contributed by Alice Brockman