John Hobart ZENTMYER

John married Jill BRIGHT [Group Sheet]

Notes:

John Zentmyer was born in North Platte, Nebraska, and migrated to Los Angeles with his parents and brother in 1918. He met his wife May Hobart while attending UCLA, and after marrying her, secured work with the Southern California Gas Company and subsequently with the newly-formed Civil Aeronautics Administration, the precursor to the Federal Aviation Administration. After a long career as an Air Traffic Controller and Administrator with the FAA he retired, then went back to school and studied nursing, earning an LVN degree. He was hired by Torrance Memorial Hospital and spent a number of years working there. A life-long Presbyterian, he was known for his charitable activities, his love of big bands music, and of books, especially about Sherlock Holmes and the Donner Party. (two different genres) He took up distance running in his 60's and completed many marathons, including a first-place finish at the Valley of the Flowers marathon in Lompoc in 1990.



John graduated from UCLA on 22 Jun 1934 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science.

John married May Elizabeth HOBART 16 Jul 1938, Los Angeles, California. May (daughter of Frank Grant HOBART and Jeanette BRUTSCHÉ) was born 22 Oct 1914, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California; died 20 Nov 2008, Baldwin Park, Los Angeles, California; was buried 29 Nov 2008, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, Los Angeles, California, Sunrise Slope #6207. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

May Hobart Zentmyer, 94, died Nov. 20, 2008, after a brief illness, in Baldwin Park, Calif. She was the mother of longtime La Cañada residents Gary Zentmyer and Jeanie Riddell and San Diego resident John Zentmyer. May was born in Los Angeles on Oct. 22, 1914. She graduated from UCLA, where she was women's editor of the Daily Bruin. It was there she met her future husband, the sports editor, John Zentmyer. After graduation, she became society editor for the Los Angeles Citizen News, covering such events as the first Lux Radio Theater broadcast, and the Screen Actors' Guild Ball at the Coconut Grove. Her husband's career as an air traffic controller found her moving around the country, raising their family in Northern California, Texas, Florida and Virginia, before returning to Southern California. They immediately gravitated to the church they'd attended during college, the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, where they served faithfully for many years. After earning California credentials, May became a teacher and librarian in Watts. After 20 years she returned to UCLA, earning a master's degree in library science. She finished her career in 1980 as a consulting librarian for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Always wanting to be productive, she next became the director of Christian Education at their church, St. Andrew's of Redondo Beach, a position she held until 1987. She and John then traveled extensively, and contributed many volunteer hours to their church. Her hobby of collecting early children's literature resulted in her being honored with a UCLA Distinguished Alumni award.

She is survived by John H. Zentmyer (Jill), Gary Zentmyer (Claudia), Jeanie Riddell, grandchildren Mark Zentmyer (Tiffany), Scott Riddell, Eric Zentmyer, Michael Riddell, Brian Zentmyer, Jeffrey Riddell (Katy), Becky Zentmyer, Will Zentmyer, Ellie McGee, and great-grandson Thomas Zentmyer. Services will be held at Royal Oaks Manor in Bradbury on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 3:30 p.m. Contributions in her memory may be made to The American Lung Association, 61 Broadway, New York, NY 10006. -- La Canada Valley Sun, 27 Nov 2008



She was named 'May Elizabeth' after her two grandmothers.

Notes:

1895 Summer job as messenger boy at U.P. Depot.
1896 Age 16, went to work full time with Union Pacific Railroad as a messenger at Schuyler. Education 1st year high school.
1897 Station helper at Humphrey, Nebraska under K.E. Bay.
1898 Telegraph operator North Platte, Nebraska
1900 Census in Schuyler, Colfax, Nebraska, telegraph operator
1901 Dispatcher, Omaha, Nebraska (City Directory)
1902 Dispatcher, Omaha, Nebraska (City Directory)
1905 Dispatcher, Omaha, Nebraska (City Directory)
1906 Dispatcher, Omaha, Nebraska (City Directory)
1910 Chief Dispatcher, North Platte, Nebraska
1912 Chief Dispatcher, North Platte, 416 S. Vine St. (City Directory)
1918 January through April, lived in Los Angeles
1918 November, spotted in Los Angeles, on Los Angeles Times front page
1920 Census (January) lived on E. Ave. 42 Los Angeles with Walter and Alfaretta Strahorn Scott. (but working in North Platte??)
1920 November, moved to Las Vegas, Nevada
1921 Dispatcher, Las Vegas, Nevada
1922 Dispatcher, Las Vegas, Nevada
1923 Dispatcher, Las Vegas, Nevada
1923 June, moved back to Los Angeles
1923 Chief Dispatcher, Los Angeles
1924 Voter Registration at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
1925 Built house at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles. (Strahorn's 50th Anniversary)
1930 Census at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles.
1932 Voter Registration at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
1930 Census at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
1940 Census at 5929 Mesa Ave. Los Angeles. (poss. census taker error?)
1945 Retired from Union Pacific Railroad
1946 Voter Registration at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
1947 - 1952 worked part-time at Cal Tech.
1948 Voter Registration at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
1950 Voter Registration at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
1952 Voter Registration at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
1954 Voter Registration at 5929 Terrace Drive, Los Angeles
Lived at 68664 H Street, Cathedral City, Riverside, California during late retirement.

George married Mary Elizabeth STRAHORN 28 Apr 1910, North Platte, Nebraska. Mary (daughter of John Calvin STRAHORN and Sarah Elizabeth WOOD) was born 22 Dec 1885, Sterling, Logan, Colorado; died 12 May 1973, Riverside, Riverside, California; was buried Olivewood Cemetery, Riverside, California, southwest corner of Section W-2 . [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Graduated in 1908 from University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, according to the North Platte Semi-Weekly Tribune, 12 Jun 1908.

Notes:

Frank was the fourth cousin of Vice President Garret Augustus Hobart.



According to Frank's daughter (our mother) May Hobart Zentmyer, Frank's aunt Stella Picken Wood and her husband Dr. Everett Wood raised him in Sedalia, Missouri after the death of Frank's father Sidney, when he was seven years old. But it is more likely that Frank and his sisters were not taken in by the Woods until after the death of Frank's mother Elizabeth Picken Hobart in 1896. In fact, probate records state that the children were still living in Hancock County Illinois on 12 Feb 1896, shortly after their mother's death.



"Frank G. Hobart, Bachelor of Arts in journalism, University of Missouri, Newspaper career began in High School, writer-reporter, editor, Denison, Sherman, Ft. Worth, Texas. At Los Angeles, Editor of the Los Angeles Record. In field of Advertising, Public and Employee Relations, Industrial Editor in petroleum and electrical industries. Semi-retired at 75, acts as consultant and feature writer." Lehlah Belle West b.1879 writing in 1957



"Frank G. Hobart has resigned as managing editor of the Los Angeles Record, and is succeeded by Thomas P. Grimshaw, late of the Fresno Tribune." The Fourth Estate, March 8, 1913



Frank joined the Cannon Electric Company in 1939, working in advertising and public relations. He was employed by Cannon until his death, although his salary in later years more resembled a pension.

Frank married Jeanette BRUTSCHÉ 14 Oct 1906, St. Lukes Episcopal Church, Denison, Grayson, Texas. Jeanette (daughter of Joseph BRUTSCHÉ and May Augusta LEGATE) was born 20 Dec 1880, Denison, Grayson, Texas; died 07 Oct 1978, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; was buried Forest Lawn Memorial Park, (Hollywood Hills) Los Angeles, California. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

"MILES ZENTMYER, attorney and counselor at law. He does a large collection business for Eastern parties, and deals in real estate. He is also one of the proprietors of the Schuyler Herald, owned by Zentmyer & Holcomb. Mr. Zentmyer first located in Schuyler in January, 1873, emigrating from Huntingdon, Pa., where he was born June 25, 1842. He enlisted, August, 1862, in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry, in the nine months' service. He began the study of his profession in October, 1863, in the law office of Scott, Brown & Bailey, in his native town, where he remained; and also taught school several terms, etc., until February 25, 1865, when he again enlisted as a private; and March 1, 1865, he was appointed First Lieutenant of Company F., Seventy-seventh Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers Infantry. In his nine months' service he participated in battles of Antietam and Chancellorsville. He was discharged December 6, 1865, in Victoria, Texas, and was mustered out in Philadelphia, Pa., January 16, 1866. Eighteen months after being mustered out he entered the former law office and resumed his studies, and was admitted to the bar August, 1869, and began the practice of law in his native place, where he remained until he moved to Nebraska. Was married in Huntingdon, Pa., May 26, 1874, to Miss Jennie M. Crewitt, also a native of the latter place. They have one son, George Aubrey, born May 2, 1881. (three siblings who preceded George did not survive, but two sisters who were born after this was written did survive -Ed) Mr. Z. is a member of Acacia Masonic Lodge, No. 34; also I. O. O. F., Schuyler Lodge, No. 38. Was elected County Judge in fall 1881. He ran for Lieutenant-Governor of Nebraska on the State Democratic ticket in 1876. He and Mrs. Zentmyer are members of the Presbyterian Church of Schuyler." - Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska, 1882



"Served as Judge for the years 1882 - 1884." Judy Brezina, Curator, Schuyler Historical Society Museum



Schuyler Colfax, for whom the town Schuyler and the county of Colfax were named, served as the 17th Vice President of the United States under Ulysses S. Grant from 1869 to 1873, and prior to that as the 25th speaker of the House of Representatives from 1863 to 1869.



The Miles Zentmyer family was listed on Vine St. in multiple US Census records, and a published account located the house at the southwest corner of Vine and Oregon Streets. But Schuyler renamed their streets, so Miles' house was located at the corner of present-day 11th and C Streets, and was demolished and replaced by a gas station operated by the Vondracek brothers.

Miles married Jane McNamara CREWITT 26 May 1874, Huntingdon, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, at the Huntington Presbyterian Church, Rev. Samuel Moon presiding.. Jane (daughter of Alfred Berryhill CREWITT and Jane DORLAND) was born 14 Nov 1849, Pennsylvania Furnace, Huntingdon, Pennsylvania; died 20 Jun 1935, Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska; was buried Schuyler Cemetery, Schuyler, Colfax, Nebraska. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

1868 began career as Fireman for C.N.W.R.R. at Escanaba, Delta, Michigan
1871 promoted to Engineer at Escanaba, Delta, Michigan
1880 September, moved to Union Pacific RR in North Platte, Lincoln, Nebraska
1885 Census in Weld County, Colorado
1886 foreman at Sterling, Logan, Colorado
1900 Census in North Platte, Lincoln, Nebraska
1910 Census in North Platte, Lincoln, Nebraska
1915 moved to Highland Park (Strahorn 50th newspaper)
1918 retired from Union Pacific (U.P.R.R. letter)
1920 Census at 521 W. 27th Street, Los Angeles, California
1921 City Directory at 109 W. 2nd., North Platte, Nebraska
1925 50th Wedding Anniversary at 211 N. Ave 51, Los Angeles, California
1933 Death at 211 N. Ave 51, Los Angeles, California

John married Sarah Elizabeth WOOD 10 Jun 1875, Milton, Buffalo, Wisconsin. Sarah (daughter of Abiel Saunders WOOD and Mercy CLOSSEN) was born 14 Mar 1849, Lyme, Grafton, New Hampshire; died 24 Oct 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; was buried Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, Los Angeles, Caliifornia, Great Mausoleum, Dahlia Terrace, Sanctuary of Faith #3407. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

1850 US Census in Hancock, Illinois
1860 US Census in Carthage, Hancock, Illinois (Sidny)
1870 US Census in Carthage, Hancock, Illinois



Sidney Hobart built a flour and grist mill on block 8 in the original town center of Carthage near the old Mormon Jail and the Presbyterian Church. (The 'Mormon Jail' refers to the jail in Carthage where LDS founder Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith were killed by a mob while imprisioned there in 1844 -Ed) The mill operated for many years but was finally torn down and a residence now stands on the site. History of Hancock County, Illinois 1880



Sidney's granddaughter, our mother May Hobart Zentmyer, told us that Sidney died from lung disease resulting from his exposure to flour dust, a hazard unrecognized at the time.

Sidney married Elizabeth PICKEN 09 Apr 1873. Elizabeth (daughter of George T. PICKEN and Elizabeth REGER) was born 24 Feb 1846, Barbour, Virginia (now West Virginia); died 28 Jan 1896, Carthage, Hancock, Illinois; was buried Moss Ridge Cemetery, Carthage, Hancock, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The George Picken family moved from Buckhannon, Upshur County, West Virginia to Carthage Township, Hancock County Illinois in 1867.

Notes:

1870 US Census in Campbell, Green, Missouri. Parents' birth places were not shown.
1872 Arrived in Denison, Texas
1880 US Census in Denison, Grayson, Texas, Occupation Express Agent, parents both born in France !!
1900 US Census in Denison, Grayson, Texas, parents born in Germany, Switzerland



"One of the saddest events that have happened in Denison for many years was the sudden death of our pioneer townsman, Joe Brutsche, Thursday.
Mr. Brutsche died at home. When stricken down he was engaged in doing some work in the back yard. Death was instant. It was a flash from time into eternity. We think it a good way to step behind the veil, for long suffering is not the wish of any one. Mr. Brutsche was one of the old guards of pioneer Denison, casting his lot here in 1872. His whole life had been a very busy and useful one. His first business venture was with the Adams Express Co., of which he was agent. He was better known as city assessor and collector. When he retired from that office he took up fire insurance and was conducting that business at the time of death. As a business man he was not surpassed in Denison. In March l878, was married to Miss May Legate, the sister of Russ Legate, who was a teacher at the time in the public schools. To the union six children were born. He is survived by the following relatives: His wife. Mrs. May A. Brutsche; children. Mrs. John Gregg. Sherman; Mrs. Frank G. Hobart. Fort Worth; Sidney Brutsche. Oklahoma City; Harry Brutsche, Denison; Miss Eugenia Brutsche, Denison; Joseph Brutsche. Jr., Denison.
We are sorry that Joe Brutsche is dead, and that sorrow is shared by thousands who loved and esteemed him. His character and disposition were of the sort that he made friends and held them." The Sunday Gazetter, Denison Texas, February 7, 1909

Joseph married May Augusta LEGATE 1878, Denison, Grayson, Texas. May (daughter of Sidney Smith LEGATE and Hannah Wiggin SMITH) was born 9 Sep 1856, Stratham, Rockingham, New Hampshire; died 1 Nov 1935, Brownsville, Cameron, Texas; was buried Fairview Cemetery, Denison, Grayson, Texas. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Dallas Morning News
Nov 28, 1968
Sec. 2. pg 13

Deaths
Brutsche--- Denison, TX
Mrs. May Brutsche, formerly of Denison, died Friday morning at Brownsville. The body arrived here Saturday and funeral services will be held Sunday at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Mrs. Brutsche, the former May Legate, was a teacher in the public schools of Denison until her marriage. She was a charter member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church and of the XXI Club. Surviving are one son, Sidney Brutsche of Brownsville and three daughters, Mrs. John Gregg and Mrs. James Brown of Brownsville and Mrs. Frank Hobart of Los Angeles.