Notable Spouses and Descendants

The Sharp family name descends from male to male; however, the family genetics is enriched in each generation by females. Our genealogy is not a tree with only one trunk, but has many trees with branches that cross and roots that intermingle. We are able to find documents for some of these roots, but all their traces exist in our DNA.

Rose Ugenia Lee Geffray

Rose Ugenia Lee Geffray was told that she was part Chocktaw, but genetic tests of her son showed that she had no native ancestry. In addition to French ancestry from her father, Rose was a quarter African, and a quarter Asian.

Rose was born on 12 March 1913 in Shively, California. Her father was Mériel Marie Gean Baptiste (John) Geffray, born on 12 April 1874 in Rieux, Morbihan, France. John immigrated to Québec, Canada, in his early twenties and married Virginie Agnis Gauthier on 28 January 1901 in Nominingue, Québec.

Virginie was born on 25 July 1885 in Necaster, New York. Her father was Möise Gauthier, born 1 January 1847 in Québec, and her mother was Marie Léocadie Élodie Dubonnet Bonin, born on 27 October 1848 in Québec.

Québec was a province of France from 1663 to 1763. Seven generations before Rose, on both her mother’s and father’s sides of the family, her ancestors were born in Québec: Jean Francois Dubois dit Brisebois (1668-1768) married Cunegonde Vinet (1674-1760), Michel Brunet dit Letang (1668-1750) married Marie Madeleine Moison dit Le Parisien (1675-1713), Andre Roy dit Lapensee (1675-1753) married Jeanne Peladeau (1684-1751), Andre Gauthier (1678-1730) married Catherine Tournois (1691-1765), Francois de Trepagny (1690-1735) married Marguerite Riviere (1693-Unknown), Gean Baptiste Brunet dit Letang (1703-1760) married Marie Louise Dubois Laviolette (1710-1743), and both husband and wife of all of these couples were born in Québec. Most of their mothers and fathers were born in France and died in Québec.

Rose’s maternal grandparents and their parents where all born in Québec; however, it is logical that her husband, born in France, was unlikely to have had African or Asian ancestry. Therefore, it seems that of Virginie’s parents, Moise Gauthier and Marie Bonin, one was African and one was Asian, or both were part African and part Asian.

Discovery of Virginie Gauthier’s ancestry might have contributed to her separation from Gean Baptiste Geffray. However, in 1914, at the start of World War I, Gean Baptiste left several rental houses in the 17th Street area of Eureka to support his wife and children, and he went to Canada or France to enlist. He died in France during the war.

Racial attitudes were not factors, however, in Rose’s separation from Fred Sharp. One story is that Rose ran off with another man; another story is that Fred accused Rose, rightfully or wrongfully, of infidelity, and kicked her out of the house. Rose stayed in Humboldt County for years afterwards, waiting nearby as Virginia attended her first years in school.

Rose’s mother lived at 2330 Togo Street, Eureka, California, and Rose took a house across the street. Rose’s son, Freddie, remembers visiting his mother there when he was about 5 or 6. Rose’s daughter, Virginia, also remembers her and her grandmother there, and said that she would sneak over the fence from her mother’s place to see her grandmother. When Rose would call her, she thought she would be spanked, so her grandmother would let her hide.

The last Freddie heard of her was when he was about 12, although, later, Rose sent photos of them as children about 1946 or 1947 from a hotel in Seattle, Washington.

After Eureka, Rose moved to 1833 Derby Street, Klamath Falls, Oregon. There she was listed in the phone book as Rose U. Miller, having married George Miller, who was in the military. Stationed in Alaska with Miller, Rose worked at the Jesse Lee Orphanage in Seward, where Norman, Clarence, Marie, and Frederick Bowen were sent on 15 April 1933 after their mother died.

Rose married Herman Charles Bunch (1901-1974) in 1947 in Philadelphia and she died in Buffalo, New York, on 12 December 1983.

Virginia Sharp

Virginia Ellen Sharp was born on 22 July 1929, Humboldt County, California; her father was Fred Lee Sharp; her mother was Rose Ugenia Geffray. Virginia married Vico John Albiani, who had been born 22 July 1929 in Scotia, California. Virginia and Vico’s children:

• Primo Vico, born 13 June 1948, Rio Dell, California; married Adella Kay Elliott (1950-?) on 20 March 1970, Humboldt County, divorced 12 March 1980, Humboldt County; married Suzanne M. Sullivan (1956 or 1959-Living) on 25 June 1983, Humboldt County; married Tera Lynn Brooks (1960-?) on 1 December 2015, Brazos, Texas.
• Bruno John, born 10 December 1949, Humboldt County, California; married Sandra Kay Coppini (1952-1997) on 2 May 1976, Humboldt County, California.
• Teresa Joy, born 7 July 1953, Humboldt County, California; married Andrew Allercana; married Dean Robert Winkelhaus (1953-2007) in 1972; married Kevin Karl Konzen (1962-Living) on 22 December 1985, Columbus, Indiana.

According to the 1950 census, Virginia had Vico’s last name, but was separated from him, had taken her two sons, and was living with her father, Fred Lee Sharp, Alberta Jeanne Kinninook, and Alberta’s three daughters. Nevertheless, she returned to Vico; her daughter, Teresa, was born in 1953. She divorced Vico in May 1968, Humboldt County.

She married Herman Baker. Their child is Paul Baker, born 6 July 1970. She died on 7 September 2012.

Sandra Kay Coppini Albiani was murdered on 9 June 1997. She was working as an unarmed security guard at the Pacific Lumber mill in Scotia, unlocked the door to the mill’s fire hall just before 4:30 am, was reported missing about twenty minutes later by co-workers, and was found in a shallow grave at the south edge of the log pond.

Retha Church

Retha Lora Church was the sixth of the nine children of Cinderella Ann Taylor and Oscar Archibald (Archie) Church. Retha was born on 11 July 1915.

Fred had an affair with Retha’s sister Hazel Irene while Hazel was married to Elber Hamilton but their son Edward Theodore (Teddy), born on 24 June 1934, was not acknowledged to be Fred’s son. Fred had divorced Rose and was caring for Virginia and Freddy. Retha married Fred Lee Sharp about 1938. Fred and Retha had three children: Vernon, Philip, and Linda.

After Fred, Retha married William Thompson, 15 October 1948. Retha lastly married Ernest (Ernie) Forester, whom we called Grampa Ernie. Ernie was a retired lumberman, who made an improvement on a tractor engine, but he didn’t get it patented. Retha was a smoker and had a lung removed; however, she continued to smoke; she died on 20 January 1979.

Vernon Sharp

Vernon Robert Sharp was born on 10 June 1939; his father was Fred Lee Sharp; his mother was Retha Lora Church. Vernon married Janet May Wenz. Vernon and Janet’s children:

• Janeice Marie, born 14 May 1958; married Arthur R. Townsend on 28 February 1976, Reno, divorced May 1977; married Murphy.
• Michael Brian, born 7 January 1961.

When Janeice was about two years old, Janet’s grandparents were having severe problems. Vernon and Janet split up and Janet took Michael, putting him up for adoption. Michael’s name became Ron William Drawson. Janet’s sister brought Janeice to live with Mae Sharp and her four children in their three-bedroom trailer in Rohnerville, California; Fred was working at King Salmon, Alaska, where families were not allowed. After Vernon married Ruby Arnella Owens (1944-Living) on 26 July 1958, Janeice went to live with them. Vernon and Ruby’s children:

• Andrea Lora, born 24 October 1964; married Gary Brelinski (1942-Living).
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Vernon and Ruby divorced in August 1967, Humboldt County. Vernon married Teresa L. Hansen (1953-Living) on 15 February 1974; they divorced 11 January 1980. Vernon and Teresa’s children:

• Gaylen Hanson Mike, born 1 February 1975.
• Bradley R., born 10 January 1977.

Vernon married Sherri D. Mahan (1961-Living) on 16 May 1981. Vernon and Sherri’s children:

• Danielle Lea, born 13 October 1979.
• John Michael Paul, born 9 February 1983.

Vernon died on 4 July 2022, Portland, Oregon.

Philip Sharp

Philip Dean Sharp was born on 24 December 1940, Humboldt County. He joined the Marines, then transferred to the Army so he could be a helicopter pilot. He married Sharon Arlene Graves (1945-Living) about 1963. Philip and Sharon’s children:

• Cynthia Deanne, born 14 December 1964.
• Angela L., born 8 July 1967. Angela joined the Army and served in Saudi Arabia during the Saudi Arabia War.
• Philip Brian, born 2 August 1969. Philip joined the Air Force and became an airplane mechanic.

He died as an Army captain and commander of his helicopter squadron on 23 May 1971, Republic of Vietnam, when his helicopter was shot down over the delta southeast of Saigon.

Linda Sharp

Linda Darlene Sharp was born on 25 September 1942. As a young girl, she was run over by a car. She married Richard Williams. Linda and Richard’s children:

• Debra M., born 7 March 1960, Butte, California.
• Cindy L., born 18 April 1961 and died two days later, Tehama, California.
• Timothy Wayne (Timmy), born 26 June 1962, Tehama, California.
• Tommy M., born 26 June 1962, died December 1962, Tehama, California.
• Vicki Lee, born 19 December 1963, Humboldt County, California.
• Richard Jubil (Ricky), born 27 December 1964, Humboldt County, California.
• Berdina Lesa, born 23 September 1967, Humboldt County, California.
• Nicholas Lane Kelly, born 29 July 1982.

Linda died on 21 December 2022, Fortuna, California.

Elizabeth Leffler

Barbara Ellen Leffler’s mother, Sarah Elizabeth Oliver, married three times:

• George Jacob Elwood, 2 May 1865, Grant, Indiana. George and Elizabeth had one child, Odus S. Elwood (1865-1908), and George died shortly after Odus was born.
• Zachariah T. Persinger (1845-1874), 10 July 1868, Grant County, Indiana. They had four sons: George L. Persinger (1869-1916), William L. Persinger (1871-1884), Edward Zachary Persinger (1873-1962), and Alfred Jay Persinger (?-1985).
• Alvah Castle (Alvie) Leffler (Barbara Ellen’s father), 24 November 1877, Blackford County, Indiana. They had five children: Barbara Ellen (1877-1927), Daniel Orestes (1880-1945), Joseph Malton (1882-1951), Arnasa Oren (1884-1907), and Lydia Mae (1886-1959). Only Barbara and Joseph were albinos.

Barbara’s paternal grandparents were Daniel Orestes Leffler (1821-1885) and Elizabeth Townsend (1827-1912). Elizabeth’s great great grandfather, Captain Samuel H. Dickinson (1665-1728), was a Mayflower descendant, born in Long Island City, Queens, New York. Samuel’s daughter Pheobe (1728-1777) married Charles Townsend (1720-1805). Their son Eber (1760-1822) married Elizabeth Drew (1763-1841). Their son Gilbert (1780-1861) and Mary (Polly) Saxon (1787-1872) were Elizabeth Townsend’s parents. Elizabeth’s parents moved, when she was 12 years old, from Clinton County, Ohio, to Hartford City, Indiana, where she grew up.

The Townsends

Colonel Elijah Carver Townsend (1818-1913) wrote about the Townsend family in 1904:

As I am the last one living of the Samuel Townsend family of eight children, I write this history thinking it fairly correct. The family is old, even for an English one, tracing its ancestry from the year 1275. The original name was known as Woodville, who lived in London, England. One branch moved to a distant part of the city, who was known as Woodville of the town’s end. Gradually the Woodville name was dropped and became known as Townsend. The family is closely related to Lord Townsend of Rainham, Norfolk County, England, who was an ancestor of the greater part of the Townsends in America. At that time the old English family’s coat of arms represented a stag and hounds on either side of the shield supporting a crown and stag. The first Townsend who emigrated to America was Richard Townsend, who came in 1620 to Jamestown, Virginia. In 1634 Thomas Townsend came to Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1637 William Townsend came to Boston, Massachusetts. In 1644 Martin Townsend came to Boston, Massachusetts. In 1682 Richard Townsend came to Philadelphia. In 1676 William Henry and Richard Townsend came to visit George Island, New York; afterwards they settled in Dutchess County, New Jersey. They were Quakers.

My grandfather, Eber Townsend, was a son of Henry Townsend and was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, as proved by the records in Washington. He was wounded and taken prisoner when the British captured New York City, and was one of the soldiers the British intended to execute, had not Washington ordered the execution of two British prisoners for every one of the Americans so treated.

Eber Townsend, my grandfather, died in 1826. His wife, my grandmother, whose maiden name was Sarah Drew, was a sister of Daniel Drew of New York City. Their parents came from Scotland and settled in Dutchess County, New Jersey. She was a very large woman weighing 240 lbs. and of dark complexion. Her second husband was Timothy James, a Presbyterian minister. She lived to be 103 years old.

My father, Samuel Townsend, a son of Eber Townsend, was born in Dutchess County, New Jersey, in 1783. He was an American soldier in the war with Great Britain in 1812. He moved from New Jersey to Steuben County, New York, in 1814. My mother’s parents went from Scotland to Coetly, Ireland, to America, settling in Doven County, New Jersey. My mother, Sarah Longwell, was born in 1782 and died in Steuben County, New York, in 1821, leaving five sons and three daughters as follows:

• Susan, married Robert King. Both are dead and buried near Angelica, Allegheny County, New York, leaving eight children.
• Cynthia married El Harris; both are dead and buried at Stockton, Illinois.
• George N. Townsend married Mary Miner. Both are dead and buried in the cemetery on his old farm at Stockton, Illinois, leaving twelve children.
• Ira L. Townsend married Katherine Delong. He died, it is supposed, on the Pacific Ocean, when returning from California in 1853. She died at Stockton, Illinois.
• A. A. Townsend married Mary Ann Ross of Fayette County, Indiana. His second wife was Almira Wells, of Jefferson County, New York. They are dead and buried at Shullsburg, Wisconsin, leaving six children.
• H. S. Townsend married Hannah Carver of Harrisburg, Indiana. Both are dead and buried at Warren, Illinois, leaving eight children.
• Almira married E. Carpenter; both are dead and buried at Warren, Illinois.
• Elijah C. Townsend married Fanny Wells of Three Mile Bay, Jefferson County, New York. She was born April 3, 1829, and died January 5, 1898, and was buried at Shullsburg, Wisconsin, leaving two sons and daughters.
• We had two half sisters. One of them, Mrs. Mills, is dead and buried at Montfort, Wisconsin. The other, Mrs. Sammels, is still living at Montfort.

I am now in my 87th year, and when I am called for, will be buried at Shullsburg.

George, Ira, and H. S. Townsend settled near the present village of Stockton, Illinois, in 1836. They were the first settlers and secured farms of several hundred acres each, which are now occupied by their children.

I have carefully gathered this history and trust it will meet the approbation of all interested.

Shullsburg, Wisconsin, September 1, 1904

Polly Saxon’s father, John Lucas Saxon, was born 17 November 1761 in New York State. His father was from Holland. When he was 12 and the British landed on Long Island, he ran away from home, going to Georgia, where he remained until he was 16. Then he volunteered as a soldier, was made a drummer boy, and served throughout the Revolutionary War. He joined the State troops of the State of New York on 1 May 1781 and served under Captain Josuha Hyatt, Captain Richard Sackett, and Captain Williams, and served on the lines between the Americans and the British in Westchester County. On 1 July 1781, he marched with the French army under the command of Count de Rochambeau to Morrisena. Under Colonel Scammuel, they marched past Fort Independence, crossed Williams bridge across the Brussels River where they stopped a few hours to watch the movements of the British, then marched from there and on the same day joined the American Army under the command of General Washington on the post road leading along the Hudson River from the City of New York to Albany. They marched with the French troops to Dobbs Ferry on the Hudson River three miles below Tarrytown. There, he was sent out on a scouting party, which was attacked in Phillips Woods where a sargent and corporal in their party were killed. After the war, John Saxon married Elizabeth Evans (1776-1852) and moved to Dutchess (now Putnam) County, then to Wheeler in Steuben County. For his war service he received a pension at the age of 71. He died in Blackford County, Indiana, in 1862, aged 100 years and 10 months.

Gilbert and Polly Townsend lived in New Jersey and had five children there. In 1815 they moved to Steuben County, New York, where they had six more children. Elizabeth was their tenth child.

In 1839, they moved again to Blackford County, Indiana, and settled in the southwest corner of Washington Township in Blackford County. They drove from Steuben County to Indiana with about fourteen families, nearly all being more or less related, including the families of Gilbert Townsend and James Saxon. They all located in Blackford County. Gilbert built a cabin with his own hands, finishing it in the customary style with a stake and rider roof, puncheon floor, clapboard door, all without purchased material. Here Gilbert and Elizabeth lived until he died at the age of 81 and she died at the age of 84.

The remoteness and wildness of this country is shown by an incident that happened in March 1839. Gilbert lost a cow and went into the woods in search of it, but he became lost and decided to remain all night in the woods, making a bed of moss and leaves. He had scarcely closed his eyes when howls told him of the presence of wolves. He had time to climb a tree and came to be under the impression that there were thousands of wolves below him. He hadn’t brought a coat with him and was about to freeze, so he began to holler, which attracted the attention of John Bush from the nearest cabin, so in a short time he was released from his tree.

Jalapa, a Native village of the Godfrey tribe, was near, and Gilbert was friends with them. When Chief Shab-on-do-sha died, he danced all day with the Native women.

Gilbert’s son, Elizabeth Townsend’s brother, Alvah Townsend (1825-1907) fought in the Civil War. He enlisted on 10 October 1864 and was mustered out on 17 August 1865. He was assigned to the Thirty-first Regiment Indiana Infantry and joined his regiment at Bridgeport, Alabama. He was in a battle in Nashville where his regiment lost heavily. He was also in the Battle of Franklin. He accompanied his regiment as far as Duck River in pursuit of General Hood, at which place he was left sick in a hospital. He returned to Nashville, where he lay sick five weeks, then he joined his regiment at Huntsville, Alabama, which he accompanied to Green Lake, then to San Antonia, where he fell out of line and crawled to a house where he was taken in and doctored by a rebel surgeon for five weeks. He was discharged on 17 August 1865 and managed to get home, picking up work where he could get it along the way, arriving home on 29 March 1866.

Descendants of Gottlieb and Susanna Marie Leffler

The first members of the Leffler family to be born in Germany and to die in the United States were Gottlieb and Susanna Leffler. We think that Gottlieb had married Susanna Maria (Anna) Loeffler in Baden, Germany, in a Lutheran church. Susanna’s maiden name was the same as Gottlieb’s, but it’s unknown whether they were closely related. Löffler, originally German and Ashkenazic Jewish, was an occupational name for a maker or seller of spoons. The family surname was spelled Löffler, Loeffler, and Loffler, and, in Pennsylvania, Gottlieb spelled his name “Gotlieb Leffler.”

Gottlieb was born in 1730 in Gundelsbach, Rems-Murr-Kreis, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Susanna was born 19 June 1731 in Malmsheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. To the north of the state of Baden-Württemberg, Frederick the Great had been King in Prussia since 1740. Gottlieb probably arrived in Philadelphia from Rotterdam either on 24 August 1749 on the ship Elliot, or on 25 September 1751 on the ship Phoenix. Gottlieb and Susanna died in 1791 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. They were Barbara Ellen Leffler’s third great-grandparents.