Etzel Willhoit

Notes:

Etzel received his first violin after the family moved to Arp in Ozark County, MO. He would play for community dances. He graduated from the eighth grade at Barren Fork School. He taught at the Barefoot School (MO) and the New Hope School (AR) before moving to Hominy (OK) where he taught for five years. In 1922 he received his high school diploma and a certificate from college at Edmond (OK). While at Hominy, he was encouraged to attend the Julliard School of Music in New York. There he washed dishes and worked other odd jobs to survive. This determination and talent led to a Master's and Doctor's Degree from the Columbia University. He later went to Austria and France to study conducting and music. From 1929 to 1944, Etzel taught music at the Teanack High School (NJ) and conducted Bronx House Symphony. From 1944 to 1971, he was the Professor of Music at Central Connecticut State College at New Britain and the Conductor of the New Britain Symphony. When applying for a delayed birth certificate, Etzel wrote to the Division of Health in Jefferson City, Missouri, "When I was born, my parents spelled my first name, Etsel. Because of being addressed "Miss" and also finding it in the dictionary with a "Z", at about the age of 24, I changed the spelling of my first name from Etsel to Etzel."

Obituary: Etzel Willhoit, a founder, director, and conductor of the New Britain Symphony Orchestra, died July 31, 1991 in Littleton, CO. He was ninety and lived in Littleton.
Willhoit also had been a music professor at what is now Central Connecticut State University. He began teaching at Teachers College of Connecticut in 1944 and stayed at what became Central Connecticut State College for 26 years, serving as music department chairman for many of those years.
During his tenure, Willhoit expanded the department so a music major could be offered.
He restarted the New Britain Symphony Orchestra in 1949 and served as its director until 1967. He prided himself on never conducting a major work twice.
After retiring from CCSC in 1970, Willhoit and his wife, Sara, sold their home and traveled around the world for fifteen years, settling for a few months at a time in different locations. They eventually settled in San Diego, CA, and moved to Littleton in recent months.
Born in Longrun, MO, he got a job at age seventeen teaching music and penmanship at a Missouri school. After becoming principal, Willhoit began studying with a violin teacher in Oklahoma who recommended that he go to the Juilliard School in New York City.
He received his doctorate from Columbia University and holds a three-year certificate from the Mozarteum Academy in Salzburg, Austria. He also studied conducting in Austria, France and Mexico; choral conducting with Robert Shaw at Tanglewood; and violin at the Juilliard School.
In addition to his wife, he leaves two sons, Etzel Willhoit of Littleton and Robert Willhoit of Luxembourg; and several grandchildren.
He was buried Monday in Woodlawn Cemetery in New York City.
Published in the Hartford Courant on August 10, 1991.

Family/Spouse: Sara Elizabeth Pringle. Sara (daughter of Samuel Russell Pringle and Elizabeth Thoman Stuttig) was born on 8 Dec 1910 in New York, USA; died on 14 Apr 2007. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Living
2. Robert Norval Willhoit was born on 19 Jun 1942 in New York City, New York, USA; died in Oct 2010.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1910, Barren Fork, Ozark County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1920, Ozark County, Missouri, USA

Notes:

John R. Willhoit was an early settler and storekeeper in Ozark County, Missouri. He received 160 acres in Ozark County on 9 July 1901 through the 1862 Homestead Act.. The town of Willhoit, Missouri, was named for him. He was the postmaster from 1910 until 1916. He later moved to Gainesville, Missouri, where he served as Ozark County Probate Court judge for a number of years. He and his family were living in Marion Township, Ozark County, Missouri, at the the time of the 1900 federal census.

John married Austa Jane Wallace in Jan 1891. Austa (daughter of James Cosby Wallace and Saloma Elizabeth St. Clair) was born on 20 Dec 1869 in Webster County, Missouri, USA; died on 14 Mar 1942 in Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA; was buried on 17 Mar 1942 in South Memorial Park, Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James W. Willhoit served as a private in Company H, 15th Missouri Cavalry during the Civil War. At the time of the 1860 census, he was living in Bradley County, Tennessee (District 12, page 270). He left Chattanooga, Tennessee, for Ozark County, Missouri around 1866. At the time of the 1870 census, he was living in the home of James H. Sallee in Marion Township, Ozark County, Missouri , and was listed as a farm hand (Roll M593_796, page 219). In 1880, he was living in Marion Township, Ozark County, Missouri (Roll T9_707, Film 1254707, page 515B, Enumeration Dstrict 108, family 140). In 1920, he was living at Big Creek, Ozark County, Missouri. He and his wife homesteaded 160 acres (20 June 1885, document #04710) located between Longrun and Lutie, now known as Theodosia. He also owned forty acres which he received by patent (No. 32565, Serial No. MO5780-081) on 14 April 1888, in Section 34, Township 23N, Range 16W, and forty additional acres which he received on 11 February 1891 (document #32799). Both these tracts were in Ozark County. In addition to farming, James was a lawyer and a Justice of the Peace.

James married Elizabeth Griffith on 8 Aug 1871. Elizabeth (daughter of Robertson Griffith and Catherine Lewis) was born on 6 Oct 1854 in Arkansas, USA; died on 17 Sep 1924 in Longrun, Marion Township, Ozark County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Lutie Cemetery, Theodosia, Ozark County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James Washington and Elizabeth Griffith Willhoit may be buried in Lutie Cemetery, Theodosia, Missouri, rather than in Griffith/Truvine.

Notes:

James Cosby Wallace enlisted in the Union Army in Richmond, Missouri, in January 1863. He served as a private in Company K, 6th Regimental Cavalry. He was discharged in July 1865. His service records describe him as 5'8 1/2" tall, with a light complexion, sandy hair, and grey eyes. After his marriage, he lived in Webster County, Missouri, for three years, and then moved to Arkansas for one year. At the time of the 1870 census, the family was living in Fishing River Township, Ray County, Missouri. He supposedly returned to Webster County, and later moved to Ozark County, Missouri. At the time of the 1900 census, he was living in Keytesville, Chariton County, Missouri. James Cosby Wallace and Saloma St. Clair met in northern Arkansas while he was serving in the army.

James married Saloma Elizabeth St. Clair on 2 Jul 1865 in Springfield, Greene County, Missouri, USA. Saloma (daughter of Martin St. Clair and Mary Elizabeth Davis) was born on 29 Jan 1849 in probably near Fayetteville, Washington County, Arkansas, USA; died on 31 Jan 1911; was buried in Wallace Cemetery, Hammond, Ozark County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Alfred H. Willhoit was living in Bradley County, Tennessee, at the time of the 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 censuses. His occupation was given as farmer. Alfred's will was dated 1 May 1900, in Bradley County, Tennessee.

Alfred married Lydia H. Lamb on 7 Jun 1845 in Greene County, Tennessee, USA. Lydia was born in cir 1828 in North Carolina, USA; died in 1870. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Roberson Griffith
• Occupation: farmer and blacksmith

Notes:

At the time of the 1860 census, the Robertson Griffith family was living in Osage Township, Carroll County, Arkansas (Roll M653_38, page 879, family #1288). The next family listed in the census is that of a Martin Griffith, age 27, born in Tennessee, who was also a farmer and blacksmith. Martin was probably a younger brother of Robertson. Living with Martin was his wife, Mary Ann, age 26, born Tennessee; Samuel Griffith, age 4, born in Arkansas, and; Benjamin F. Griffith, age 7 months, also born in Arkansas.

Robertson + Catherine Lewis. Catherine (daughter of George Lewis and Elizabeth Gildeon) was born in cir 1825; died in Jul 1895 in Ozark County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Griffith/Truvine Cemetery, Longrun, Ozark County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1850, David Wallace was living in Ray County, Missouri. David Oliver Wallace enlisted in the Union Army at Richmond, Missouri, in 1863. He served as a 1st Sergeant in Company K, 6th Regiment, Missouri Cavalry. He was captured in battle at Neosho, Missouri, in October 1863, and was forced to spend three nights without clothing or blankets. He contracted a severe cold, and this later caused almost total deafness, complete blindness in his left eye, and partial blindness in his right eye. He was discharged in 1865, after which the family moved to Caldwell County, Missouri, to a farm south of Cameron. Ellender died on the family farm that today is a portion of Wallace State Park. After Ellender's death, David moved to Ozark County, Missouri, to a farm near Hammond, where he died. In 1880, David was living in Mirabile, Caldwell County, Missouri. His birth place was given as Indiana.

David married Ellender Turner on 16 Dec 1837 in Ray County, Missouri, USA. Ellender (daughter of John Turner and Jane West) was born on 22 Sep 1819 in Elkhorn, Ray County, Missouri, USA; died on 20 Feb 1894 in Caldwell County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Mirabile Cemetery, Mirabile, Caldwell County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ellender Turner Wallace was blind for the last five years of her life, and was cared for by her daughter-in-law Laura, wife of Joseph.

Notes:

Martin St. Clair's name may have been David Martin, Martin David, or Daniel St. Clair. Martin and Elizabeth (or Mary) St. Clair were living in Washington County, Ohio, at the time of the 1840 census. In 1843, they moved to Arkansas, and settled near Fayetteville. In 1848, Martin was involved in the Tutt-Everett fued, also called the Marion County War. He was killed during the feud. In 1850, his children were living with the Alfred Burns family in Marion County, Arkansas.

Martin + Mary Elizabeth Davis. Mary was born in cir 1812 in Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary Vensandt on 26 Jul 1805. Mary was born in 1787; died in 1876. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Also Known As: Mary Vansant

Notes:

Mary's last name may have been Vinsant.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1850, Warren, Marion County, Missouri, USA
• Census: 1860, Warren, Marion County, Missouri, USA

Samuel married Sarah Clemmons in cir 1827. Sarah was born in cir 1798 in Georgia, USA; died in cir 1876 in Longrun, Marion Township, Ozark County, Missouri, USA; was buried in Griffith/Truvine Cemetery, Longrun, Ozark County, Missouri, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

George Lewis's parents may have been Nathan Lewis (#25773) and Jane Trusler (#25774).

George married Elizabeth Gildeon in 1823 in Marion County, Tennessee, USA. Elizabeth was born in cir 1803; died in 1860. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

David Campbell Wallace was in Blount County, Tennessee, by 1798. The David Campbell Wallace family moved to McDonough County, Illinois, around 1812. With his family and in-laws, David Wallace came up the Illinois River on the maiden voyage of the steamship "Red Rover." By 1821, the family was living in Rushville Township, Schuyler County, Illinois. David and his son Alfred erected the first grist mill in Schuyler County, and in 1829 they added an "up and down" saw for lumber. In Schuyler County, they lived on the northeast quarter of Section 21 of Rushville Township. They moved to Lee County, Iowa, around 1830, where Sarah died, then to Ray County, Missouri, and finally returned to McDonough County, Illinois.

David married Sarah Justice on 23 Apr 1798 in Blount County, Tennessee, USA. Sarah (daughter of Moses Justice and Mary Justus) was born in cir 1780 in Maryland, USA; died before 1850 in Ray County, Missouri, or Lee County, Iowa, USA; was buried in Franklin, Lee County, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
This marriage was performed by the bride's father.

Notes:

John and Jane Turner moved to Ray County, Missouri, after their marriage. The Turner Cemetery is in Fishing River Township, southwest of Route 10, between Excelsior Springs and Elkhorn, Missouri. John Turner served in the army during the War of 1812, having enlisted in March of 1813.

John married Jane West on 7 Jul 1814 in Madison County, Kentucky, USA. Jane (daughter of Littleton West and Elinor Galloway) was born in 1797 in Madison County, Kentucky, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Solomon Willhoit drew his will on 6 March 1824, and it was probated in Greene County, Tennessee in April 1824. He may have had North Carolina Revolutionary War service.

Solomon married Katherine Ridenhouse in cir 1784. Katherine was born in 1763. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
George Griffith's place of birth has not been verified.

George + Nancy Mildred Byrd. Nancy was born in 1760 in Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

One source indicates that Nancy Mildred Byrd Griffith died in 1887, but this would have made her 127 years old, which is highly unlikely.

Notes:

John Wallace served in the army during the Revolutionary War, and was wounded. He lived for a time in Blount County, Tennessee, leaving there about 1814 for Bibb County, Alabama. He and his wife had about nine children, only four of whom are known. John Wallace may have been born in Wautauga, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

John married Margaret Thompson on 27 May 1788 in Blount County, Tennessee, USA. Margaret was born in cir 1760. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Moses Justice served in the army in the Revolutionary War and received land in Blount County, Tennessee, for that service. In March 1775, he enlisted in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, under Captain John Fifer. He was discharged at Cross Creek, North Carolina, about three months later. He rejoined in 1775 for three months, under Captain Caleb Fifer and Lt. William Houston. He was discharged at Salisbury, North Carolina. He enlisted two more times during the course of the war.

Moses married Mary Justus in cir 1779 in North Carolina, USA. Mary was born in Aug 1755; died in Oct 1841 in Schuyler County, Illinois, USA; was buried in Old Ridgeville Cemetery, Browning, Schuyler County, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It is not known which of John Turner's sons was the father of the John Turner born in 1794. It was most likely one of the sons already listed.

unknown + unknown. unknown was born in cir 1770. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Littleton West was from Madison County, Kentucky.

Littleton + Elinor Galloway. Elinor was born in cir 1770. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]