partial transcription of Newspapers->Misc->13.10.jpg An excerpt from the Sullivan Review, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania dated May 18, 1978: BEGIN A History Of Sullivan County As Recorded By George Streby A Continuation of the History of Laporte Borough and Laporte Township Installment No. 116 Charles Breger was a native of Germany and came to America when a young man and located in New York state; he was a tanner by trade and took the position as foreman of the tannery at Thorndale about 1873. In 1881 he was caught in the machinery at the tannery and killed. Mr. Breger married Frances Kelly, a native of Germany, who came from Wertemberg to America with her parents when 17 years of age, locating in the State of New York; Mrs. Breger is still living. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Breger were: Simon, of Laporte. Emma, married Charles Landon, of Laporte. Mary, married John Flynn, of Laporte. Tressa, married Frank W. Gallagher, of Laporte. END From Simon Alan Brieger (1.726) March 12, 2007: BEGIN Charles Brieger was born 9 October 1831 in Steinburg, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany as the probable son of Simon Oscar and Mary Tressa Gehring. Charles died on 11 February 1881 in Thorndale, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania as a result of a tragic accident that occurred at the Thorndale Tannery. According to old family stories, he departed from Bremen, Germany in an escape from the war that was occurring there. According to family stories, he arrived in America on 28 January 1856 on board the Bark Dorette. The stories relate how along the way he met Franziska Kille, born 16 January 1834 in Obernheim, Wurtemburg, Germany as the daughter of Jakob Kille and Barbara Dressel. Charles and Franziska were married in May of 1860 in Obernburg, Sullivan County, New York. Franziska would later die in April of 1907 in Laporte, Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. Both she and Charles are interred in sections A-AA of St. Basil Cemetery, Dushore Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. END From Simon Alan Brieger (1.726) : BEGIN The origin of the Brieger family, as we know it today, began with whom we believe to be Simon Oscar Brieger born in Holstein, Steinburg of Upper Saxony about 1810. Simon Oscar would marry Tressa Agnes (unknown) of Munich about 1828. Shortly after their marriage the German Civil War would begin in their home state. Fleeing the conflict, the couple elected to move south to Wittemburg in about 1829. Sadly, for us, records in the German States about this time are somewhat sketchy due to the loss of records during the Second World War. What few records that still exist, do not indicate just how many children were born unto their union, but we feel relatively sure there were more children than the one that was actually found. The one documented birth was to a son named Charles born in October of 1831 in Wittemburg. A fairly complete genealogical record of the family can be found at the The Brieger Genealogy, which recounts the descendants of Charles Brieger. By 1856, the German Civil War had grown so intense that both sides of the conflict were forcing young men to join with them to justify their cause. Charles had reached the age of 25 and faced with the uncertainty of his future, like hundreds of other fellow countrymen elected to flee Saxony for a better life in a new country. About this time a young lady, named Frances Kille, residing in Wurtemburg, along with her father, Jacob, mother, Barbara, and her two brothers, John and Thomas also decided to leave Lower Saxony for America. By some strange coincidence or quirk of fate, Charles and Frances would leave Saxony together from the port of Breman aboard the Bark Dorette, bound for New York. Only speculation can account that Charles must have met Frances during the voyage and the two were attracted to one another. It is also speculation that Charles was already aware of the attributes that lay in store for him at Obernburg, NY or as the trip progressed across the ocean, Jacob Kille had informed Charles of the wonderful place his family was going. Regardless, when the two families disembarked together at the New York Port of Authority they immediately took transportation up the Delaware River to Fremont, Sullivan County, New York and made their way to the little hamlet of Odernburg. Once arriving in Fremont, Charles' first mission was to find work. He was a Stone Mason by trade but evidently no such jobs were readily available there. Needing work immediately, he elected to apply for a job at Mileses Tannery. He was initially hired as a common laborer but as the years progressed he steadily gained higher positions. Finally feeling secure in the new world, he asked Frances to be his wife. Both families were of the Catholic Faith but no Catholic church existed in Odernburg at that time. What were they to do? Once again fate stepped in. Fortunately for the young couple, a priest from Long Eddy's St. Patrick Church occasionally traveled to Obernburg to hold services. So one Sunday in May of 1860, the traveling Priest pronounced Charles and Frances man and wife. They would make their residence in a small company cabin that stood alongside the cabin of Jacob and Barbara Kille. One can only wonder about the mixed emotions that Charles must have had. He had achieved most of the expectations he had of the new country but on the other hand, he had left his immediate family thousands of miles away in Saxony, probably never to see them again. Without a doubt he was fleeing the turmoil of a civil war and had run head long into in his birth country. By 1863, Charles and Frances began their own family with the birth of a son, Simon Francis. Soon afterwards a daughter, Emma Agnes, would be born. Two other daughters, Mary Anne and Tressa Anne would soon follow. By 1870 Charles had been promoted to a foreman status in the tannery and things seemed to be going rather well in the new country. But as fate would have it, about this time due to public demands, New York State decided to close all of the tanneries operating in the State. It seems some people were very disturbed by the strong odor emitted by the tanneries along with the depletion of the Hemlock forest that was required to operate them. Charles had become a dedicated and respected employee of the Mileses Tannery by this time and was offered a transfer, as foreman, to the Thorndale Tannery in Laporte, Pennsylvania. Now with a family to support, and faced with the possible loss of his job, he readily accepted the new position. So in 1873, Charles led his family from their home in New York to a new residence in Laporte, Pennsylvania. Upon arriving in Laporte, once again fate or you might want to call it destiny stepped in. For just, two houses down Railroad Street from the new Brieger residence lived another family that was also making a new life in America. Charles Pflaum had himself left Baden, Wurtemburg, Saxony, in 1867 to establish a better life for his wife, Mary, and daughter, Wilhemina. By 1869 he had found a Shoemaker position at the Thorndale Tannery and after establishing a proper residence had sent for his family to join him in the new land. Responding to his request, Mary and Wilhemina would arrive in New York aboard the Steamer Hermann to meet him and then make their way on to Laporte. In order to supplement their income, the Pflaum family also took in borders. Among these were Charles Landon, John Flynn and Frank Gallagher. All would play a vital role in the Brieger history in the years to come. The Brieger family had been in Laporte for seven happy years. Then on February 10, 1881 disaster struck. Charles, while working at the tannery, was accidentally caught in the plant's machinery and killed instantly. Needless to say the family was suddenly thrust into a state of grief and uncertainty as Charles was laid to rest in St. Basil's Cemetery of Dushore the following day. Simon Francis, age 17 at the time, had worked as a laborer along side his father in the same tannery but after witnessing his father's death, he was not only in shock and grief stricken but was suddenly thrust into the role of sole provider for the family. Evidently he could not bear to return to the same site where his father had been killed, so he began searching for other employment. Luckily the Williamsport & North Branch Railroad was establishing a spur line from Williamsport into Dushore about that time. He applied for a position and was hired as a fireman. Now, do you remember the borders at the Pflaum house? The family responsibilities of Simon Francis began to decrease somewhat when in March of 1882, Emma married Charles Landon, son of Thomas and Mary (Oliver) Landon of Dallas, Pennsylvania. They would become the parents of two children. In 1883 a daughter, Charlotte was born followed by a son, Harry. Then on September 24, of 1894, Mary Anne married John Flynn, son of Michael and Mary Flynn of Laporte. They would become the parents of six children. A son Joseph would be born in 1886 followed by Charles, Mary, William, Frances and Helen. Then in 1886, Tressa married Frank W. Gallagher, son of Dennis and Ann (Johnson) Gallagher of Ireland. They would become the parents of six children. A daughter, Mary Anne would be born in 1887 followed by Emma, William, Francis, Bridget and Theresa. Suddenly the burdens of family responsibilities Simon Francis had inherited were decreasing rapidly. Within three years the only responsibilities he now had were for his mother and himself. Finally at last, he had the opportunity for some personal time. Over the years he had been a close friend with the Pflaum's daughter but lately he had sensed an added attraction to her. He suddenly recognized Wilhemina as an attractive and enticing lady. Following a short courtship during which they discovered that they were meant for each other, the couple was married at St. Basil's of Dushore on July 22, 1886. Over the ensuing years, they would become the parents of eight children. Mary Agnes would be their first child, born in 1887. Soon Carl, Edna, Leo, Simon Adolph, Loretta, Theresa and Eugene would be added. How things were changing! Between 1886 and 1905, Inventions of the telephone, electric lights, and the automobile along with the openings of the first mills and factories had sparked a great economic growth in the country. Man had even learned to fly! The Brieger family was also reaping these new benefits. Simon Francis had been promoted to engineer. All the old bills had been paid and the family continued to grow both in happiness, security and size. Then in 1905, they would once again be challenged! Under the lead of President Teddy Roosevelt the United States was enjoying a tremendous economic upswing. However, Sullivan County was an exception! Just as had happened previously in New York, the tanneries of Sullivan County were starting to close. To make matters worse, the once prolific Hemlock Forests that had once supported the tanneries and lumber companies were also becoming depleted. This downswing also produced a reduction in the need to transport large amounts of leather goods and lumber. It became oblivious that soon the railroad line would be operating only for occasional freight runs and passengers. This could only mean one thing. Fewer trains, equated to fewer railroad men. Simon felt the need to discuss this problem with his foreman. While discussing the problem, his foreman, offered a possible solution. It seems the harvest of virgin timber was underway in a place called Meehan Junction, Mississippi. The foreman related there was a large demand for lumberjacks, millwrights and railroad men there. He went on to explain that he also knew Mr. J. W. Meehan, the new operation's owner, and if Simon was willing to move, he would supply him with a letter of recommendation. Simon Francis and Wilhemina discussed the dire situation and the new opportunity for several weeks. Finally they reached a decision. Both Charles and Mary Pflaum had passed away and had been laid to rest at St. Basil's. Charles, Wilhemina's brother, would keep the old Pflaum house and remain in Laporte. Simon's mother, Frances, would move in with Mary Anne and John. The old Brieger house on Railroad Street would be sold and they would keep only what few possessions that could be moved and take the train to Mississippi. So together they would begin a new chapter in a new place. On March 3, 1906 they arrived. The train would stop in Meridian, Mississippi and then they would then ride the company spur line on to Meehan Junction. As they left the train they must have had second thoughts about their decision because Meridian had been hit by a massive tornado ** just the day before and destruction was all around them. Never the less, this family was the product of a strong willed and determined people. They had suffered hardships before and this would be no different. So together, filled with determination, they made their way on to their final destination. Meehan Junction, Mississippi would become a very important part of the Brieger family history just as Fremont, New York and Laporte, Pennsylvania had been before. Editor's Note: The 1906 Meridian Tornado killed fifty people and required US troops under martial law to maintain order after the storm. You can see pictures of the storm damage including the destroyed train terminal at this link to Meridian History. Today Meehan Junction is only a small dot on a map. It has very few reminders of a time gone by. What few indications of the buildings, roads and train rails that once existed, have become hidden by the growth of new trees. But on this day in 1906 it was a beehive of activity. Under the direction of Mr. J. M. Meehan, the Cotton States Lumber Company was harvesting huge trees, turning them into lumber and delivering it by rail. To accomplish these feats he had opened a campsite equipped with cabins for his employees, opened a sawmill and built railroad spur lines connecting to Meridian. He had established a bustling, self-contained community. There was a company store, a barber- shop, a blacksmith shop and even a church! Simon Francis and family must have been truly amazed! Upon presenting his former foreman's letter of recommendation, Simon Francis along with his eldest sons, Carl age 18 and Leo age 15 were quickly hired. Carl and Leo would move into the company bunkhouse and be assigned to work with their father. Simon Francis was issued a cabin and assigned the position of engineer. Now it was time for the family to get settled in their new home. Mary Agnes, age 19 and Edna, age 17, would help Wilhemina take care of the household. They would also assist in taking care of the twins, Loretta and Theresa age 9 and 4-year-old Eugene. Simon Audolph, only 13 years old, was enrolled and boarded in the Sisters of Mercy Catholic School in Meridian to complete his eighth grade education. Once again things were again looking good for the Brieger family. Then in April of 1907, Simon Francis received word from Laporte that his mother had passed away. Sadly, he made his way back to Pennsylvania for the last time. It was while attending the funeral of his mother that he recognized that things were not going too well for John and Mary Anne. John was a superintendent of the Dushore Lumber Company and he had received notice of its purposed closing. He quickly told them of the many opportunities that were available in Meehan Junction and within a few hours, they had decided to move there also. As Simon Francis prepared to return to Mississippi, he probably thought this would be the last time he would ever see his sisters, Emma and Tressa again. There was no reason for them to move to Mississippi. Charles Landon and Frank Gallagher had both accumulated a small fortune. Charles was a respected wheelwright and carpenter and owned several shops throughout Sullivan County. Frank had built and was operating the Laporte hotel. Then between 1908 and 1909, both Charles and Frank would suffer an untimely death. It is not known what caused the men's death but according to the weekly newspaper, The Sullivan Review, the past two winters in Laporte had been unusually cold and brutal. There were many accounts of either sick or dying residents with symptoms with what we today would diagnose as influenza. Following the untimely deaths of Charles and Frank, Emma & Tressa had sold all holdings in Pennsylvania and had decided to move to Binghamton, New York to live with their eldest children. Evidently, the children of Charles and Frances had always been very close. Emma and Tressa, realizing that they may not ever see their other siblings again, they took a trip to Mississippi for one last visit with Simon Francis and Mary Anne. This indeed would be the very last time the children would ever see each other as a group again. About 1908 Simon Francis began to see a reduction of his own family's responsibilities. Simon Audolph would finish his education, hire on with the lumber company as a fireman and move into the bunkhouse with Leo. Carl had been promoted to engineer and married Beulah Waggoner, who was the daughter of W. C. and Jessie (Harvey) Waggoner from nearby Forkville. Carl and Beulah would become the parents of five children, beginning with Annie Ruth in 1909 followed by Carl Jr., Pauline, Mildred and Dorothy Gae. Edna had married Nicklos Loftus, son of William and Helena (Smuts) Loftus of Cape Colony, South Africa. Edna and Nick would become the parents of eleven children beginning with Beatrice in 1908 followed by Cecelia, William, Nicklos Jr., Theodore, Wilhelmina, Woodrow, Simon, Helena, Irene, and Earline. At this point I must pause. It seems that every family has at least one member that can be classified as a real character. Nicklos Smuts Loftus had that honor in the Brieger family. Born in South Africa, he had stowed away on a ship bound for New Orleans at the age of 17 just to see the World's Fair in St. Louis. After traveling up the Mississippi river to St. Louis and attending the fair he worked at various odd jobs as he toured the country. It is said that one of these jobs was that as a professional wrestler. At the time Nicklos and Edna met, he was working as a blacksmith in Meehan Junction and had the reputation of a heavy drinker and a troublemaker. Evidently Edna was a strong influence on his life, for within two years after their marriage he had become a minister. In the following years he would be the pastor of several churches throughout Mississippi. Mary Agnes had also met a young man and marriage was being discussed. However, for reasons that we shall never know, Wilhemina strongly objected and forbid the marriage. Heartbroken Mary would never marry. During the following years, Meehan Junction began to show the signs of a production slow down. But this time things were different than they had been in the past. It seems The Cotton States Lumber Company had planned ahead. They knew the Meehan Junction timber would run out sooner or later and had the forethought to begin opening several other sites across South Mississippi. They had even started transferring employees to the new locations. Although this meant job security for the family, sadly, the family, that had always been together, would be separated across South Mississippi. In 1912, Carl's wife Beulah would introduce Simon Audolph to her younger sister, Nena. Simon and Nena would marry in 1913. However, the marriage would be short. Nena and her child would die during childbirth in 1914. In 1913, Theresa would marry Clint Lea, son of William and Annie (Porter) Lea of Wellman. They would become the parents of three children beginning with David in 1914 and soon followed by Mildred and Barbara. About this same time, Nicklos had accepted a pastor ship at his first church and he and Edna had moved to Woodville. In 1916, Simon Audolph married again. His new wife was Etoile Mayatt, daughter of Jasper and Olivia (Harrison) Mayatt of Battlefield. They would become the parents of six children. The first would be a son, Edwin born in 1917, who would soon be followed by Doris, Lucile, James, Thomas Gerald and Simon Alan. Leo would also marry in 1916. He would marry Maude Gates, daughter of Joseph and Alice Gates of Cato. They would become the parents of one child, Charles in born 1922. Following their marriage, Leo and Maude would leave Meehan Junction transferring to Pearl River County. It seems Leo felt he was not cut out to be a fireman on a train so he had accepted a bookkeeper position. With all of these changing events going on within the family, by far a greater life, altering event was occurring in Europe. The First World War was raging. As strange as it may seem every eligible male in the family registered for the U. S. Army draft to fight against their native land of Germany but Simon Audolph would be the only member selected. With the promise of a job when he returned, he put away his railroad hat, bandana and overalls in exchange for a doughboy uniform, moved Etoile and Edwin to Old Battlefield to live with her parents and departed for France. In 1919, Simon Audolph would return to Mississippi. For many years afterward he would talk of the possibility that he had encountered relatives on the battlefield. His first item on his agenda was to reunite with his wife and son. Then he would put away the uniform and get out the old railroaders clothing. Within a few days he was at Meehan Junction to once again begin the job that was promised to him, when he left, two years before. He discovered quickly that things were just not the same as they had once been. The once prolific camp that he left was near closing. His father, Simon Francis had taken a superintendent position at one of the Lumber Company sites in Quitman and had moved there with Wilhemina, Mary Agnes, Loretta and Eugene. John Flynn had died a few months earlier and Mary Anne had taken him back to Laporte for burial. She then had moved with her children to Binghamton, New York to live near Emma and Tressa. The sole Brieger Family left in Meehan Junction was Carl, his wife, Beulah and Theresa and her husband, Clint. During the meeting with the company foreman, Simon was informed of the Junction's impending last days but was also informed of a new location in Bude that was just starting up. After discussing the situation with Carl and Beulah, Simon Audolph, Etoile, Carl and Beulah moved to Franklin County. For the next ten years, the two families would live side by side. Once again the two brothers would be together and life would be good. As the years passed, Etoile would frequently tell the stories about what a hard time they had convincing Edwin that the strange man now living in the house was actually his father and how wonderful those days in Bude were. As time passed, in 1921, Loretta married James McKeown, son of Joseph and Ellen McKeown of McMillan, Michigan. Together over the years they would become the parents of five children. Their first child would be James born in 1922 followed by Michael, Patricia, Joseph, and Mary Ellen. Following their marriage, the couple would move to Lumberton where James would be superintendent of yet another Cotton States Lumber Company site. Then in 1922, Eugene would marry Christine Hahn, daughter of Christian Hahn of Germany and Martha Buckelew of Mississippi, and he would become a lumber grader for Cotton States Lumber Company in Quitman. In October 1929, President Herbert Hoover had been in office only a few months when along with the rest of the country, the entire Brieger family would witness their greatest challenge. The sudden collapse of the New York Stock Exchange would signal the start of "The Great Depression!" Times had never been harder! Businesses went bankrupt, banks closed their doors over night and thousands were suddenly out of work. Needless to say, this was the beginning of the end for the Cotton States Lumber Company. Sites began to close down, one following the other. In the end the only family members that were able to hold onto their jobs were Clint Lea and Simon Francis. James Mckowen and Loretta moved to Baltimore, Maryland, Carl found work with Franklin County operating a ditch digger, but this would only last one year. He would then move his family to Florida in order to find work. Leo would find work as a bookkeeper for a frozen food company in Madison. Nicklos and Edna maintained a ministry in Smith County, Eugene became the proprietor of a hardware store in Quitman, and Mary Agnes still lived at home with Simon Francis and Wilhemina. When all was said and done, it was Simon Audolph and his family that suffered the most. For Simon Audolph, there was absolutely no work to be found! Finally as a last resort he moved his family to Old Battlefield to live with the parents of Etoile. There in Newton County, for the first time in his life, Simon would attempt to become a farmer. Etoile's father, Jasper, did the best he knew how to teach Simon the skill of farming. Strange as it may seem, Simon seemed to pick up the skill rather quickly. By 1930, Simon and Etoile were living in Post and were looking for just the right farmland to buy. This would be the birthplace of James. Around 1934 they had found the place they were seeking. It was a small four, room house on a few acres about 19 miles North of Meridian in place named Schamberville. This would be the birthplace of Thomas Gerald and Simon Alan. By 1935, Edwin had joined the Army Air Corps and was serving in Hawaii. In 1938 Doris had eloped and married Arnold Ethridge, son of Richard and Malvie (Johnson) Ethridge of Union. They would later become the parents of three children. A son, Adrian would be born in 1939, soon to be followed by Sylvia in 1942 and finally Janet in 1946. It was March of 1939. Even though Germany was once again waging war in Europe, the U. S. economy was beginning to heal under the guidance of President Franklin Roosevelt. Once again everything seemed to be going well for the Simon Audolph family when tragedy struck. Thomas Gerald, only four years old, would be struck by a truck directly in front of the new house and would die shortly afterward. Etoile would enter a state of depression and shock so severe that Lucile was forced to assume the household duties. Gradually, Etoile was recovering and assuming more of her household chores everyday. Simon Audolph was still struggling with the new skill of farming, but had managed to bring in a suitable crop. Then suddenly in 1941, the United States was back in war in Europe, which was the very place where Simon had once fought in the "War to End All Wars!" This time he would not go but his oldest son and both of his son-in-laws would join the fight. Over the last few years Simon Audolph had made a valiant attempt to become a farmer, but following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the U S government had begun work to open military bases within the United States. Key Field, an airport, in Meridian was one of these. Jobs were being offered to civilians. The pay was good! It is not known at this time if he was tired of farming, wanted to add additional security for his family or just felt that once again he needed to help his country in it's time of need. Never the less, he once again traded hats. His old straw farmer's hat would be put aside and replaced with what would become his trademark for many years to come, a sleek, narrow brimmed Panama! Then in 1944, Edwin would marry Claudie Staley, daughter of Frank and Florence Staley of Keithville, Louisiana. In 1945, Lucile would marry James Caldwell, son of James B. and Mary Lee (Joyner) Caldwell. They would later become the parents of three children beginning with Jerry in 1946 to be followed by Gaye Nell in 1947 and finally Dianne in 1950. During these times, Simon Audolph had reluctantly returned to farming. All things considered, it seems that he really never cared that much for farming. His only real enjoyment of the farm atmosphere came from being able to spend more time with his family. But at this point in his life, what else could he do? He was 54 years old and no one was going to hire him at this age! By this time James (Jim) had grown old enough to help with the chores. In fact by 1945, at the age of 15, Jim had taken over most of the farm's responsibilities while Simon continued to work. Jim would continue to bring in the crops until 1947 when Simon was released from his position at Key Field. Once again Simon was a full time farmer and with the loss of his additional income, he was forced into planting an additional crop, in order to meet family expenses. Cotton was planted. For a small farmer, there is no other crop more time consuming and less productive than cotton. The massive time spent growing and harvesting far eclipses the profits for a single bale. Then in 1948, James (Jim) graduated from high school. He thought he had enough of farm life and enlisted into the Marine Corps. Little did he know that things would get much harder. In 1950 he would be called upon to help repel an invader from one of the allies of the United States. The Korean War had begun. For the next year he would be in one of the coldest, harshest places on earth. In 1952 he would be discharged from the Marine Corps and would return to Mississippi. There in 1955, he would marry Dorothy Brock daughter of James and Elizabeth (Koch) Brock of Logtown. Meanwhile, not to be deterred, Simon Audolph would continue to plant and harvest that acre of cotton each year. Finally in 1952 at the age of 59 and Etoile at 54 they came to the reality that they and a young son of 13 could no longer depend on that crop of cotton. It was at this point when he turned to raising additional livestock for market. There would be more calves, pigs and chickens on the farm than ever before. Simon Audolph's family lifestyle had made an abrupt turn in order to adapt to life's changes. Sadly, there was still one thing that could not be changed. The Brieger family that had once taken pride in togetherness was becoming smaller and smaller. During the period over the last ten years, his siblings would become more distanced from one another than ever before. Carl had moved to Florida, Edna had moved to Carriere, Leo had moved to Carthage, Loretta had moved to Chicago, and Theresa had moved to Louisville. During these same years Simon Francis and Wilhemina would sell their old residence in Quitman and move to live with Leo in Carthage. Additional sadness came in 1942 with the death of both Emma and Mary Agnes. In 1947 news came from Binghamton that Tressa had died. Then in 1948, Simon Audolph received even sadder news when Leo called to tell him their mother, Wilhemina, had died and she would be laid to rest along side her daughter, Mary Agnes in Quitman. It did not stop there. In 1950, news came that Mary Anne had also passed away and she would be interned along side of her husband in Laporte. Just when it seemed things could not be any worse, on March 5th of 1956 came the news that would induce one of the greatest moments of family grief. Once again Leo called but this time he was advising that the great strong pillow of strength that had initially emerged in 1881, following the death of his father, Charles, the man that had accepted the challenge to move his own family, against all odds, hundreds of miles from their birthplace just to insure their security. The man that had faithfully stood by his children through out the years had passed away peacefully in his sleep the night before. Simon Francis, the last remaining immediate member of the family of Charles and Frances was gone. Every remaining member of his immediate family gathered together one last time as Simon Francis was laid to rest along side Wilhemina and Mary Agnes in the Quitman Cemetery. As 1957 approached, Simon Audolph and Etoile began to take a long look at what was in store for them. Their only child remaining at home, Simon Alan would be graduating soon from high school, and just as all their other children had done before, he eventually would also leave to start a life of his own. Simon would soon be 65 years old and Etoile 60. At this age and just the two of them, there would be no way they could continue to farm. After much discussion, they put the old farm up for sale. Following the sale of the old place, they found a comfortable apartment in Meridian. For the first time in their life they enjoyed central heat and air conditioning, running water and an in door bathroom. Just as they had thought, Simon Alan graduated and began work. Then in 1958 he would marry Wanda Davis, daughter of Martin and Willa (Lee) Davis of Meridian. They would become the parents of two children. A daughter, Tanya would be born in 1959 and would be followed by Randal in 1961. In 1976 he would begin a new marriage with Carolyn Woods, daughter of Wesley and Imogene (Parker) Woods of Raymond. In 1978 a son, Christopher, would be born. A few months following the 1958 wedding, Simon Alan would enlist in the Navy. Now Simon Audolph and Etoile were alone together, left with only the memories of their early lives. For the next 15 years they would enjoy one of the best periods of their lives. However, in 1961, they would relive the agony they had once encountered over 20 years ago when Thomas Gerald died. They received word that their eldest son, Edwin had passed away. Once again they faced many sorrow filled days and nights. In a few years they had overcome the tragedy and were once again enjoying the comfort of their new home. It seems the frequent visits they made to see their other children had helped them to once again return to normal. But the thing that really put them over the top occurred in the summer of 1966 when they celebrated their Golden Wedding Anniversary. All of their living children, grandchildren, old friends and other relatives came to help make their Golden Wedding Anniversary a special day. Sadly, this would be the final time when all of the Simon Audolph family would be together in one place. The years passed and then one January morning in 1973, Simon Audolph passed away. Needless to say, the family was overcome with grief. Dozens of old friends and family bid him goodbye in Suqualena Cemetery as he was laid to rest along side Thomas Gerald. Etoile was now suddenly alone. Despite the pleas of her children, she insisted on continuing to live in the apartment and take care of herself. After a few years sickness began to take its toll and she reluctantly agreed to enter a rest home. There she would remain until one April night in 1982, when she once again became united with Thomas Gerald, Edwin and Simon. Etoile had passed away peacefully in her sleep. As the years passed, the remaining children of Simon Audolph and Etoile, as all families do, became occupied with establishing security and raising their own families. During these years the living Brieger family tree continued to become smaller. Edna died in 1976 followed by Leo in 1977 and Loretta in 1978. Carl and Theresa passed away in 1983 and Eugene in 1989. The Simon Audolph and Etoile family also lost members during this period. Arnold Ethridge would die in 1988, Simon Alan's son, Randal died in 1993, Doris would pass away in 2002 and James Caldwell would leave us in 2004. Even though the numbers of the family members have grown somewhat smaller, the entire family continues to remain locked together with the memories of days gone by. The strong courage, determination and resilience that originated with Charles and Frances so many years ago and was passed down from generation to generation and is still prevalent in the youngest generation today. I am very proud that I was able to document the family's history for the past one hundred and ninety years. I have no doubt that the present and the future generations will continue the legacy with the same pride, admiration and respect. Simon Alan Brieger, December 2005 With much appreciation to: Family Documents from James and Dorothy Brieger, Catherine (Porter) Owen and Helena (Loftus) Brewer. Historical Society Sullivan County New York St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Long Eddy New York Historical Society Sullivan County Pennsylvania St. Basil's Catholic Church Dushore, Pennsylvania Bob Sweeney and Carol Brotzman, Sullivan County Pennsylvania Historical Society Lauderdale County Mississippi Mississippi Department of Archives Sisters of Mercy Catholic School Meridian Mississippi United States National Archives United States Department of Immigration and to everyone else who helped this dream become a reality. Contributions by: Thomas B. Sick and Bettyann Sick Goodyear, goodbett@chilitech.net (McMahon and Murphy) Tina Pastusic, Tmpastusic@aol.com and Linda Crawford, ringdale@hotmail.com (Hunsinger) Lois Green Neuber, froggie@emcs.net (Neuber) Simon Alan Brieger, briegersa@bellsouth.net (Brieger) END