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Fred Rasa & the Bank of Florence

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On April 8, 1918, the Bank of Florence was founded by a group of local businessmen in Florence, Missouri, a town of approximately one hundred men and women.  The organization was formed with H.A. Bremer as president, F. H. Rasa, vice-president, and P.W. Buehler as cashier. Frederick Henry Rasa, (1873-1937) was a farmer, stock dealer, businessman, civic leader, and my great grandfather.  While it remained financially sound, the Florence Bank directors made the decision to permanently close the bank on November 9, 1934.  At that time the bank held $45,125 resources.

Grandpa Siegel & His Cars

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November 5th marked the 135th birthday of Carl Christian Siegel, my maternal grandfather.  To celebrate I wanted to highlight one of the things I have noticed while digitizing family photos- grandpa liked cars!  There are many photos of Grandpa and his family with cars so I thought I would share a few today.  Not being a connoisseur of old cars, I haven’t identified most so if you can recognize the make and model or have a memory related to it, shout it out in the comments.  But first a little history behind automobiles….

Corrillie Fletcher Ray Patterson Percival Spencer (1881-1967)

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Fifty-five years ago today, a woman named Corrillie Spencer passed away when she was eighty-six years old.  She was the second wife of Richard Allen Spencer (1881-1973), my great grandfather.  Recently I have begun to research Corrillie’s life.  She was known to my family and many others as “Aunt Rillie” and I had no idea the many trials Rillie had faced.  The records have revealed a challenging life in which she outlived three husbands and at least one child.  Here is what I have discovered of her story thus far.

Happy Birthday Ellis Ray Spencer!

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My Grandfather Ellis Ray Spencer was born to Richard Allen and Leona (Howell) Spencer this week one hundred and ten years ago (Feb 20, 1912) in Plato, Laclede County, Missouri.  He was the first son born into the family of nine children. Here is a glimpse into his life.

Richard Tolliver Southard: A Resilient Life

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For many years I have been drawn to the story of my third great uncle, Richard Tolliver Southard (1844-1934). His early life had to have been traumatic, seemingly always in turmoil.  The challenges to his family began before his birth and would last through the early years of his marriage when he and his wife lost three of their four young children.  His is a story of pioneer life on the Missouri prairie. 

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