Who’s Who of the Tayloe Letters

Abraham “Abe” Souders (1845-1943) Abraham Souders was a well liked neighbor and the father of Mrs. A.W. Miller- Lizzie's sister-in-law Alice. Abe served in Company G, 34th Enrolled Missouri Militia during the Civil War where he earned the medal shown in his picture. He owned the first steam thresher in the area, and he once thrashed 80,000 bushels in a single day. His farm was just north of the Bourbeuse on the East side of today’s Highway 19, about four miles from Oak Hill.
Andrew McWilliams “Andy Mack” (1846-?) Catherine Holt Tayloe’s second husband. Catherine and Andy had one child together- Wilson McWilliams.
Andrew “Andy” Christian Ringeisen (1871-1946) Married Lena Carolina Meyer on March 27, 1895.
Andrew William "A.W." Miller (1859-1955) A.W. was the brother of Lizzie. He owned an orchard in Missouri. He married Abe Souder’s daughter Alice.
Benjamin Pfeiffer (1858-1941) Benjamin was the son of German immigrants. He was born in Missouri. He ran a ferry on the Cowlitz river in Washington. After living in Missouri and Washington, he eventually settled in Idaho. His wife was Sarah Melvina Tayloe. I have been told a few varying stories about how Ben ended up running a Ferry in Washington on the Cowlitz River. Cousin Evelyn thinks that Ben's brother-in-law, Christian Hesse, was working there and invited Ben, and others think he just went there on his own. At that time most ferry traffic was transferring people and their teams and wagons across the river, eventually cars were also taken. The ferry ran until about 1917 when the Cora bridge was built across the Cowlitz River. Benjamin has been described as a "Happy, jolly guy" by his Great Niece Evelyn. She says "I remember Uncle Ben very well. He was a great big man who was always very jolly. I can almost still hear his laugh. He was always laughing. He visited us a lot...well a lot for in those days anyway. He had a house up on the hill (in Boise) with a canal running between it. The house was a split level. They had to cross the bridge to get to their barns and buildings. Carold Pfeiffer recalled "Dad owned two sections of land in Owyhee County at Jordan Valley (Idaho). He bought the land, house, and outbuildings along with about 1600 head of angora goats. The man he bought the land, house, and outbuildings from just took his bed roll and left the furniture, etc. Ben sheared the goats and sold the mohair and then the goats. He ran about 300-400 head of cattle on the ranch.  They sold the place in Caldwell and moved to Jordan Valley. When Harold and I were very young they sat us on the roof of the shed out of the way when they were branding cattle. Will and Charlie (Ben's oldest sons) worked on the ranch too. Will had some land there also. Jordan Creek divided or ran between the two places. Then Dad sold the ground and bought the home and ground on Hill Road. Me and Harold started school there so we must have been six or so. Ben was on the school board when they built the new Pierce Park School- a one room school." Ben's granddaughter Juliene said "Ben prospected near Lucky Peak. One day he ran off the road and hit himself in the neck with the pick. He was always running off the road and he would say "Goldarn those guys!  He had 40 acres, part of it crossed a canal. Ben planted peanuts on the hillside there and they grew. He even planted carrots to feed the horses when he lived in Toledo, Washington. They left Missouri for Washington... they just left their farm in Missouri, their son-in-law George Ore wanted it and he kept it until passing it on to his son." Everyone I have ever talked to about Benjamin has mentioned his cancer. He had some form of skin cancer behind his ear. Juliene says that the cancer came from the time Ben hit himself in the neck with the prospecting pick. Maxine has talked about it as a gaping wound that had to have the bandages changed often. My dad also knew of Ben's cancer even though Ben died before my Dad was born. Evelyn also told me about the cancer and it's location and how they couldn't do anything about it in those days.
Catherine “Kate” Miller Morris (1854-1920) Kate was the wife of W.H. Morris, who had a hotel in Owensville Missouri.  Kate was the sister of Lizzie.
Charlotte Dorothea “Scharlottie” Ringeisen Miller (1829-1883) Scharlottie was born in Breitenfelderhof Germany. She was Lizzie's mother. She was widowed soon after moving from Pennsylvania to Missouri.
Cleo Youngblood Tayloe (1891-1955) Wife of Willie Tayloe, daughter-in-law of Lizzie. Cleo was a school teacher. Willie and Cleo never had any children of their own.
Ed Tush (1888-1981) Ed drove for the rail line in Pittsburgh, and then later worked for the Ford Motor Company. His Grandson Dick shared this memory of his Grandpa: He never said “bag”, to him it was a “poke”… “put it in a poke”. He passed away at about the age of 93 and was alert and savvy till his dying days. A grand old man. Ed’s Grandson Dan said: I remember as a boy going to my Grand-parents house.  It was on our walk to school.  My twin brother Don and I always had the job of watering the plants in the pots on the porch.  Afterwards, we would sit on the porch and watch the "machines" (that was what they called cars) go by.  My Grand-pap couldn't tell us apart, so he would just call us "boy".  When we got older, we had the task of cutting their grass.
Effie Pfeiffer Martin (1892-1982) Daughter of Benjamin & Sarah Pfeiffer. Was married to Benedix Reimers and then to Phil Martin.
Elizabeth "Grandma Ringeisen" Georgens Ringeisen (1838-1921) Uncle Mike’s wife.  Andy Ringeisen’s mother. Grandma Ringeisen worried everyone because she was determined to stay on her old homestead alone after she was widowed.
Elizabeth "Lizzie" Miller Tayloe (1861-1931) Wife of John Tayloe. Lizzie must have treasured all these letters to have kept them.
Emily Jane "Janey" Tayloe (1872-1955)  Janey homesteaded in Washington. The Pfeiffer family lived near her for a while.
Emma “Freda” Miller Gray (1898-1995) Freda was "Uncle Fred's girl". Freda could have written a book about the adventures of her husband, Mr. J.M. Gray. He started at age 16 as a stagecoach driver on The Dalles to Shaniko run in Oregon- a long dusty 58 miles in the summer and a cold muddy or snowy ride in the winter and fall months. He would have to bundle up in sheep skin clothing until he could hardly move and still his body was chilled through and through by the cold east wind or the pelting rains or blinding snows that bore down without mercy. He soon acquired enough to buy his own team and wagon for the summer freighting ventures. He said, "my service on The Dalles to Canyon City and The Dalles to Wapinitia stage lines was intermittent. During the spring and summer I operated my own freight line from Shaniko to Central Oregon and during the fall and winter I drove for Mr. Jackson. At times our passenger list contained some pretty hard looking men but I was never held up or molested. It was hard work, always away from home, exposed to all types of weather, muddy and boggy roads, snow, ice or dust, break downs, sick horses, broken harness, wagons or equipment; wagons sliding off the roads; dry camps without water, sleeping out under the stars; poor food or none at all; run-away teams which would beak up the wagons and scatter the merchandise. It was a hard life even when conditions were at their best. Most of the drivers were hard drinkers of bad liquor and lived short lives." In the final years the ranches, along the route were served by "socks" or small pouches, hung by a clothes pin near the farm gates, and Mr. Gray, like other experienced drivers, could wrap his black-snake whip around the sock and draw it over to the stage without having to stop. He could cut a rattlesnake in two, with his whip, at 12 feet distance without stopping. He never wrecked a stage nor injured a passenger on the perilous grades often covered with snow and ice. They used Concord coaches when traffic was heavy and common 2 horse hacks when it was light. When The Dalles to Canyon City run was discontinued in 1910 he continued on the Dalles to Wapinitia Stage line from 1910 to 1914. After that Mr. Gray made a trip to Mexico and was held prisoner by Villa, the bandit, for a time. He married Freda Miller in 1919 and had two sons. The couple lived in Oregon their whole lives.
Eva Elizabeth Hotz Ringeisen (1837-1921) Wife of John George Ringeisen.
Frank Andrew Ringeisen (1904-1973) Son of Andy & Lena. Even though his Mother was always worried about him in her letters, Frank married and lived to be 68 years old.
Fred Miller (1851-1928) Son of Louis and Scharlottie Miller.  Born in Pennsylvania, he lived most of his life in Oregon.
George Nikolaus Ringeisen (1894-1949) Son of Andy & Lena. George ran the family auto for them when they first got their car. George worked on a road crew in Pittsburgh for a time before he  lost a finger while making ammunition for the army during WWI.
Henry Miller (1867-?)
Hiram R. Tayloe (1871-1943)  Brother of John R Tayloe.  He lived in Missouri all of his life.  He was married to Mary V Souders.
Ida Tayloe Kramme (1889-1976) Daughter of William “Bud” & Caroline Tayloe. Married Henry Albert Kramme in 1909
Iva V. Tayloe (1904-?) Daughter of Hiram & Mary Tayloe. Wrote about having her tonsils removed
Jacob Holt (1811-1895) Grandfather of John R. Tayloe, Father of Catherine Holt Tayloe McWilliams.
Jacob "Jake" Ridenhour (1819-1900). Married Sarah Tayloe Pfeiffer’s aunt Martha Holt. Ben Talks about taking Uncle Jake to Portland because he was losing his eyesight.
John George Ringeisen (1876-1951) The son of Uncle Mike and Grandma Ringeisen
John Russell Tayloe (1862-1941) Husband of Lizzie Miller and father to John L. & Willie. John lived on the old family farm until Lizzie's health started failing. He built a house in Owensville and they moved into town. Lizzie only lived another year, and after her death John moved back to the old house.
Katharina Ringeisen (1858-1899) Daughter of Mike & Elizabeth Ringeisen
Lena Carolina Ringeisen (1871-1954) Andy’s wife. Mother of George & Frank.
Louis Miller (1849-1898). Lizzie’s brother. Married Bertha. His son Adolph served during WWI
Louisa Ringeisen Ziegler (1862-?) Daughter of Uncle Mike and Grandma Ringeisen. Was talked about in the letters for charging her mother room and board while she was sick and staying with her.
Mae Pfeiffer Orr (1895-1990) Daughter of Ben & Sarah Pfeiffer. Married George Orr.
Melvina Tush (1889-1970) Melvie’s Grandson Dick shared this memory of his grandmother: She'd call out for him "Ed!!!"...and he always answered her with “Hello”. Another one of Melvie’s grandsons, Dan, said: They lived right next to the fire department, and when someone would call in a fire, the call would go to their house.  They had the job of sounding the fire siren that could be heard throughout the borough telling the volunteer firemen to come running.  Both of them were very active in local politics.  They were great role models.
Michael "Uncle Mike" Ringeisen (1834-1907) Born in Germany, and immigrated to America at the age of thirteen.  He married Elizabetha Goergens and had ten children.
Mike Miller (1863-1938) Lizzie’s brother. Married Emma Marie Brandenburger.
Minnie (1890-1995) & Jimmy (1890-1965) Ben & Sarah Pfeiffers oldest twins. Minnie lived to be 104 years and 8 months old.
Nancy Ann "Annie" Tayloe (1869-?) Little is known about Annie. It appears she married a William Williams at some point and was either widowed or divorced when she left with “Hughey”, a married man from Washington state.
Nancy Bonham Holt (1815-1899) Grandmother of John R. Tayloe, Mother of Catherine Holt Tayloe McWilliams.
Nellie Tayloe Ross (1876-1977) Was a cousin of John R. Tayloe. Nellie was an American politician, the 14th Governor of Wyoming from 1925 to 1927, and director of the United States Mint from 1933–1953. She was the first woman to be elected governor of a US state. To date, she remains the only woman to have served as governor of Wyoming. She was a staunch supporter of prohibition during the 1920s.
Neoma Pfeiffer Rowland (1902-1953) Neoma liked to dish out the gossip. Family lore says she fell in her chicken coop and that’s how she got cancer.
Phillip "Uncle Phillip" Ringeisen (1832-1914) Uncle Phillip was born in Germany and immigrated to Pennsylvania.  He married Phillipina Biehl.
Phillipine “Aunt Pena” Wagner Ringeisen (1820-1921) Lived to be 100 years 11 months and 12 days. She and her husband Andrew had twelve children- all sons.
Sarah Catherine Pfeiffer Holland (1886-1975) Married her cousin, Hart Holland. Adopted a baby girl and then had to give it back to the birth mother after raising her for more than a year.  The case was sensationalized in the papers around Boise where they lived. Sarah was the black sheep of the family and the newspapers dragging her name through the mud probably didn't help.
Sarah Tayloe Pfeiffer (1861-1950) John R. Tayloe’s sister.  Sarah married Benjamin Pfeiffer. Ben & Sarah had 12 children, including two sets of twins. She prided herself on being the only one who could tell the youngest set of twins, Harold & Carold, apart. When Carold was 15 years old he drove from Idaho to Missouri to work- he said he was barely able to see over the steering wheel. He returned to Idaho sooner than expected and when he walked into the house his Mother thought he was Harold. He was really pleased to have pulled one over on her and he told her he was Carold and Sarah burst into tears.
Sophia Hotz Ringeisen (1879-1970) Married William Ringeisen. Her Great Granddaughter Pauline shared these memories of Sophia: I was 10 years old when my great-grandparents passed away. They lived a long time—both reached the age of 90. My great grandparents, “Great-Pap” William and “Great Grandma” Sophia Ringeisen, lived beside us.  They gave my Dad and Mom the ½ acre of land adjacent to theirs as a wedding present, so that my Dad could build a house there.  My great-grandmother Sophie was a tiny little thing,  and her body was wracked with arthritis in her old age. When I would walk next door to visit them, she was usually in a bed which was moved into the former dining room so that she wouldn’t have to climb the stairs of the two story house,  I would sit on the edge of the bed and she always held my hand while we talked.
Sophia Matilde Ringeisen (1873-1947)  Daughter of Michael and Elizabetha Ringeisen.  She Lived in Pennsylvania all of her life.  She married Eugene Schubert, and they had six children.
William Emmanuel "Bud" Tayloe II (1864-1913) John R. Tayloe’s brother. Married Caroline Kehr.
William Henry Ringeisen (1878-1970) William’s Great Granddaughter Pauline shared these memories of him: My great-grandfather used to tease me when he was out in the yard cutting his hedges with his old shears—pretending like he was trying to cut off my pony tail.  “Great Pap” was known throughout the area as the man who built a village in his front yard.  When he retired from farming, he spent his time crafting several cut stone houses, and even a church with a steeple..  He made working doors for the houses, lift off roofs for  ease of cleaning and maintenance, and made furniture and little people by hand for the inside.  He even ran underground electrical wire and installed a light bulb inside each one, so that he could flip a switch at night, and they cast a glow over the entire front lawn.  People would always stop and take pictures and marvel at his handiwork.  My great-grandparents died within two weeks of each other.  My great-grandmother died first and when they went to tell “Great-Pap” about her, he simply asked “Mother is gone, isn’t she?”  My grandfather said he died so quickly because he just gave up.  He wanted to be with her.  When their home and their belongings were auctioned off after their deaths, people came for miles to put in a bid on one of the houses, which also went for sale.  My grandparents took one house and the church (they only lived across the street, so they were painstakingly moved across by wheelbarrow, and my uncle took one.)  To my knowledge, only one house still remains—purchased by Andrew and Lena’s great-grandson—and remains on Andy’s old farm property today, lovingly restored by his grandson, George Ringeisen.
William “Will” Pfeiffer (1883-1979) Will was Ben & Sarah’s oldest child. He was a cowboy all his life. While there are no records of him ever marrying, his nieces Maxine and Juliene told me that he was in fact married and divorced. Juliene’s husband Jim told me “Will carried around two pictures in his wallet of “his children”, I don’t know if they were really his children or not- they never came to visit him anyways.”
William L. “Willie” Tayloe (1889-1957) Willie was John & Lizzie Tayloe’s youngest son. He married Cleo Youngblood.
Wilson McWilliams (1876-1955) Wilson married Eliza Holzschuh. Their children were Henry, Bessie, and Charley.