Rosanne (Wilcoxson) Priddy

The Would-be Pioneers Rosanne (Wilcoxson) Priddy

What did it take to make America?  It was the people.  It took men with ideas of exploring the western seas to secure resources for their own country, men who were pirates seeking their own fortune, and aristocrats that wanted to build their own fortress.  Most of all, it took the men/women who lost everything they had, including sons and daughters during the many wars of persecution in Europe, the martyrs, the many slaves that were brought over in chains, the orphans, the servants, and convicts with a dream of liberty for all.  It took the original owners of America, the Native Americans, who at first tried to welcome the foreigners, teaching them to survive, but later encountered them as an enemy, bringing disease and thievery.  Many cultures, many beliefs, many traditions came together to form this great nation.  The birthing pains of America were harsh and cruel at times, with many wars of their own, but the people came together and built a nation with their tears, their blood, their sweat, and their scars.  It took great faith and endurance to live in these times.  

History is slowly fading from us. Stories past down, old yellowed books, and Family Bibles tell some of the story.  Many generations have evolved since America's birth and those who lived during the "hardest of times" are slipping away from us each day.  There is less than 10% of the Greatest Generation left.  Those who left their stories must be heard.  This book has been compiled to tell their story and their family's story before they are lost in time.  It is a story that we can all learn from; the story of America.

The true history of  the 1500's-1900's is revealed in this book including the families of:  Baker, Chappell, Lewis, Keyser, Bucher, Jones, Powell, Van Den Wygaert, Umstadt, Felts, Souplis, Dotterer, LeFevre, Yingling, Henshaw, Pannebecker, Schweitzer, Elrod, Howe, Martz, Wainscott, Hancher, Caudy, Hahn, Whitehorn, Saul, Smith, Greesing, Leidig, and Scherer.

The main attraction of the book is a wonderful true story of a little girl named Ruth, who lived in the early 1900's and was a descendant of the above families who had come to America.  Ruth's family traveled to Indian Territory from Indiana and Kansas.  Later, the family settled in Tulsa.  Ruth felt secure in Tulsa, but when TB hit her mother, their life changed.  Her parents decided to homestead in Colorado, hoping it would be best for her mother.  Ruth was an only child and she was very leary to leave her security and go out into the "wilds" of  the prairie and rugged mountains.  Their travels would take them to various places to work; such as ranches in the Texas Panhandle and eventually to the mountains.  Life was not easy.  They lived on love and faith.  Ruth's growth and definement of character was born on the prairie, living each day, one at a time, trusting in God and His provisions.

The heritage of our country is a priceless treasure; one to hold sacred, to preserve, and to secure for our future descendants. Lest we never forget what they endured for our freedom!