Ebenezer Emmons was born in Middlefield, Massachusetts back in 1799 to Ebenezer and Mary.  He entered Williams College at 16 graduating in 1818.  He continued his studies in Albany, New York where he received his M.D.  He set up practice for a few years in Berkshire County, Massachusetts.  Sadly, he died in 1863.  However, what he did for those years he walked among is the reason he will forever be in the history books.  Now, for the rest of the story.Even though he was a doctor his true calling was for geology.  He assisted in preparing a geological map of Berkshire County, Massachusetts.  He named the Adirondack Mountains in 1838 and the Taconic Mountains in 1844.  He was hired by the State of North Carolina for being their first State Geologist in 1851, a position he held until his d... 06/17/2017

I’m leaving on a jet plane shortly, headed to the Northeast. I pulled this one out of my backside. Not my usual post but hopefully you’ll enjoy it. TTFNOliver Charbonneau was born in Aunis, France circa 1613. Nothing is written about his childhood however, he started working as a sewer cleaner. He immigrated to Canada settling in Laval, Quebec. There are only two surviving records of the family name of Charbonneau circa 1659.When he arrived in Quebec he was hired as a “manual laborer” interpretation of this means he did spade work on farms as he did not have his own plough. To pay for his passage and living accommodations he signed a two-year contract.Estimates suggest 97% of the Charbonneau families in North American are descendants of Oliver and his wife. He is the ancestor of around ... 06/12/2017

Grisell Baillie was born in her family home in Scotland back in 1822 to George and Mary.  Her father died in 1841 prompting her to move with her brother to Eidon Hall near St. Boswells. An event happened in 1858 that forever changed her, that of course is the rest of the story.Every Sunday she would leave the house at 9:30AM where she would teach, pray and sing with the children at church returning home at 3:00PM.  She did this for 50 years never missing a day. In 1878, she rad a pamphlet “The National Sin” she gave up her habit of taking a small glass of wine either her meals.  From then on, she embraced total abstinence of alcohol.  She died in 1891, she was 69.  However, in 1888 her whole life changed for it was in December of that year she was ordained as the first deaconess of the ... 06/11/2017

Marinus was born in Jamaica, New York back in 1740.  His father was a school teacher and tavern operator.  I do not have any information about his childhood or upbringing, what I can tell you of course is the rest of the story.He served in the militia during the French and Indian War.  Serving as a 2nd lieutenant in the New York regiment during an expedition to Fort Ticonderoga in 1758. He also saw action during the Battle of Fort Frontenac.  During the early stages of the American Revolution he was considered as an informal leader of the Sons of Liberty.In 1775, he joined the Continental Army as a captain, taking part in the Invasion of Canada.  In 1776, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.  In 1777, he commanded Fort Constitution, later being transferred to Fort Stanwix.  I could go... 06/08/2017

Crystal Bridges is wowing residents and visitors of Northwest Arkansas with the Dale Chihuly exhibit. Tickets are required for viewing but I would highly recommend it!! Read more about it at Crystal Bridges Website             Lenore Cottrell, REALTOR® with The Brandon Group. 479-320-7222 WEBSITE EMAIL 06/06/2017

Daniel Joseph was born in Glen Cove, New York back in 1873. He stood only 5’06” and weighing in at 132 pounds soaking wet. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1899 receiving his initial training at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.He was involved in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 where in a single battle he defended his position against repeated attacks inflicting causalities of around 200 of the attacking Boxers. Fifteen years later he was fighting with the US forces in Haiti. He was involved in the Battle of Fort Dipitie. A force of 400 of the enemy ambushed the force when he led one group reaching the nearby fort.He was awarded the Navy Cross for repeated deeds of heroism and great service during the Battle of Belleau Wood in WWI. He retired from the Marines in 1929. He died in 1937 a... 06/05/2017

Marie Maynard was born in Corona, Queens, New York City back in 1921to Ivan and Helen.  She attended the all-girls school at Hunter College High School and then on to Queens College, graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1942.  She received her master’s degree in 1943, from New York University.In 1943, she taught chemistry at Queens College while enrolling for the doctoral program at Columbia University.  In 1947, she earned her PhD in chemistry. After graduation, she worked as a physical science instructor at Howard University.  After Watson and Crick described the structure of DNA, she continued her work as an assistant professor of biochemistry at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine.  She was a member of the governor at the New York Academy of Scienc... 06/04/2017

Charity Anne was born circa 1926 (DOB) was not found. She was educated at the Lyng Primary School in Lyng, West Bromwich, England. When she was 14 living on Maud Road she lied about her age to join the Air Raid Precautions service.She worked at an office of the brick works near her home, her job was to deliver messages between depots by bicycle. In 1940, during an air raid an incendiary bomb had lodged in a roof at a local shop. While helping her father pulling the bomb from the roof it gave way and she fell causing minor injuries.Undeterred she borrowed a bicycle making numerous attempts to notify the control room 1.25 miles away. During the ride, she was successful in avoiding bombs and shrapnel at the height of the raid.Charity Anne Bick went on to join the Women’s Auxiliary Air Forc... 05/28/2017

Junko was born in Miharu, Fukushima, Japan back in 1939. Sorry again but I have no information about her parents or early childhood including her education. What I can tell you of course is the rest of the story, so let’s get to it shall we.From 1958-1962 she studied English Literature and education at Showa Women’s University. After graduation, she formed an organization in 1969 and as they say the rest is history. In 2000, she completed postgraduate studies at Kyushu University focusing on environmental degradation. In 2012, she was diagnosed with cancer and died in 2016.Now for the rest of the story. Junko Tabei was the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest and the first woman to ascend all Seven Summits by climbing the highest peak on every continent. Not too shabby for a... 05/21/2017

Karl Friedrich Louis was born in Apolda, Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach back in 1834. Sorry I can’t provide any information as to his parents and childhood however, for this blog it’s not necessary.Records show he was a local tax collector which in those days was a dangerous profession. Anyway, to protect him and the taxes he started breeding dogs that were loyal and protective. It took him 19 years but he accomplished his mission.For those of you who are dog lovers you should enjoy this one. I’m writing about Karl Friedrich Louis Tobermann, who later changed his name to Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann. The dog he created of course is the Dobermann Pinscher. Karl died in 1894 the German government dropped the “pinscher” 50 years after his death and the British did the same shortly after. 05/18/2017

Jeanne Deckers was born in Laeken, Brussels, Belgium back in 1933.  She was educated in a Catholic school in Brussels.  In 1959, she entered the Missionary Dominican Sisters of Our Lady of Fichermont.She was given the name of (Sister Smile).  As the years went on she found it difficult to live up to “Sister Smile” as was expected for her to always be happy and in a good mood.  Pulled between two worlds she left the convent in 1966 to pursue a life as a lay Dominican of the order.  After she left the order she made a living by giving lesson in music and religion.  Due to financial difficulties, she died by suicide taking an overdose of barbiturates and alcohol in 1985.  Now while you may not know Jeanne Deckers (if your old enough) you’ll remember her by another name that was given to he... 05/05/2017

Stunning home located in NWA in the highly sought after Oak Tree Subdivision. This Payne Construction home has a beautiful brick and stone exterior and is located on a large cul-de-sac lot.It boasts of custom woodwork, breathtaking 2 story great room with fireplace, gourmet kitchen with pull out spice racks, oversized walk-in pantry and elegant granite island. Master bedroom has plenty of space for all your large furniture. Master bath is very spacious with a luxurious jetted tub and large walk in shower, and huge walk in closet with multiple built ins for all your storage needs.All secondary bedrooms have walk in closets and all secondary baths have granite. Spacious media room features granite wet bar and elevated seating.Superb outdoor space perfect for entertaining with covered pati... 05/04/2017

Eli Terry was born in East Winsor, Connecticut back in 1772 to Samuel and Huldah. He began his apprenticeship with Daniel Burnap, it continued until 1792. In that year, he started his own business.In 1801, because of his hard work he was awarded a patent, the first to be awarded for his design by the United States Patent Office. By 1802, his business had grown considerably. In 1802, he purchased a mill to increase the production of his design. In 1806, he signed a contract to produce 4,000 units of his design.He sold his company to two of his assistants and started to concentrate on another idea. His vision was to mass produce interchangeable parts to ease production and cost less. To this end he was successful. Now you may be asking yourself what did Eli do? Well I’m so glad your thoug... 05/03/2017

Mary Elliott was born in Carter County, Kentucky back in 1867 to Benjamin and Nancy. She completed her schooling at the University of Charleston and the University of Kentucky. After graduation, she taught school.He met and married Harvey in 1893. The family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan and then to Pikeville, Kentucky in 1896. Harvey was an attorney representing Norther Coal and Coke. After their move to Pikeville she began her career as a writer. From 1906 until 1926 she worked as a journalist for the Ashland Daily Independent. She was a member of the Kentucky Equal Right Association working to improve the lives of women through reform of suffrage, marriage and divorce laws. What you may not know of Mary Elliott Flanery is that she was the first woman to be elected to the Kentucky Gene... 05/02/2017

Leland “Lou” Diamond was born in Bedford, Ohio back in 1890 to Herbert and Mima.  I don’t have much of anything about his upbringing however that is not important to the rest of the story, so here we go.He enlisted in the United States Marine Corp in 1917 at the age of 27.  His assigned service number was 98912.  He had a powerful voice which went along with his stature of 5’11” and 200-pound frame.  His nickname was “The Honker” he was considered by his comrades to be “a human air-raid warning system.”  As a corporal seeing battle at Chateau Thierry and Belleau Wood just to name a few.  he was promoted to Sergeant before the end of WWI and released with an honorable discharge.He returned to working on the railroad however, that did not suit him so he returned and re-enlisted in 1921.  ... 04/28/2017

Martha Jane Hunt was born in Baltimore, Maryland back in 1826. The family moved to Philadelphia in the 1830. It’s unclear but when she was 15 or 16 he eloped with Benjamin who was 21. He became director of the U.S. Navy’s 9scientific laboratory in Washington, D.C. There was a dispute in his pay for his work so he resigned in 1847 and went to work for the Boston Gas Company.As a result, from chemical fumes exposure he died in 1848. The following two years were tragic to Martha as two of her children died as well as her mother, leaving her in emotionally drained and financially ruined. While going through her husband’s hand written notes she discovered something that will forever put her in the history book.For nearly 10 years she devoted her work on the incomplete notes of her husband ex... 04/20/2017

Karl Ludwig von Bertalanffy was born in Atzgerdorf, Austria-Hungary back in 1901 to Gustav and Charlotte. His parents divorced when he was ten. He was educated by private tutors. In 1918, at 17 he began his studies at the University of Innsbruck and the University of Vienna.He had a choice of philosophy of science or biology and he chose biology. He received his PhD in 1926. In 1934, he received is doctorial in “theoretical biology”. He was in the U.S. when he returned to Vienna where he joined the Nazi Party. I do not know if he did that for self-preservation or because he was forced to. After the war, he moved several times to teach and do research two of which were the University of Southern California and the State University of New York at Buffalo. In 1972, he died from a sudden he... 04/19/2017

Virginia Hall was born in Baltimore, Maryland back in 1906 to Ewin and Barbara. She attended Roland Park School and went on to Radcliff College and Barnard College studying French, Italian and German. Wanting to continue her education she received an appointment as a Consular Service clerk in Warsaw, Poland in 1931.During a hunting trip in Turkey in 1932 she accidently shot herself in the left leg. As a result, the leg was amputated from the knee down replaced with a wooden appendage that she called “Cutbert”. This ended her diplomatic career so she moved to Washington, D.C. and graduated from the American University. After graduation, she joined the Ambulance Service in Paris ending up in the Vichy controlled territory when the fighting stopped in 1940.She joined the Special Operation ... 04/06/2017

Josephine Owaissa was born in Bloomington, Texas back in 1922 to William ad Minnie. Her father died when she was only 17 months old leaving her mother to tend to their children. She opened up millinery shot which failed moving her family to Houston.She attended San Jacinto High School where she performed in the drama club, she also was an accomplished dancer and ice skater at Houston’s Polar Palace. When she was seventeen two teachers encouraged her to enter a contest on Gateway to Hollywood. She won and was given a one-year contract with a movie studio. As they say the rest is history.She worked in low budget films for RKO Radio Pictures. In the 1950’s she became a television icon starring in two highly successful series. In her later years, she struggled with alcoholism, she died in D... 03/21/2017

Peadar was born in Dublin back in 1883. Educated at the Model School and St. Joseph’s Christian Brothers School in Fairview, Dublin. He left school at 14 to be an apprentice house painter.He joined the Gaelic League in 1901 and the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1903. In 1904 he was one of the first to inspect the National Theatre which later became Abbey Theatre. He worked assisting with props and occasional walk-ons. He helped co-found the Irish Volunteers in 1913. In 1914 you could find him running guns. He was also active in the War of Independence and in 1920 he was captured in his home at Summerhill, Dublin.After being released he returned to his original trade of house painting. He died in relative poverty in 1942. Of course, I’m writing about Peadar Kearney today. Name doesn’t ... 03/17/2017