Special Report on Eleanor Kinnan, Our Past President

Eleanor Kinnan's High School Graduation


Eleanor Hott Kinnan Special

Revloc Woman Was Fascinated with Ancestry

By TED POTTS
THE TRIBUNE-DEMOCRAT, Johnstown, Pennsylvania

Eleanor Lee Kinnan of Revloc, who was avidly interested in genealogy, died Saturday at Laurel Crest Manor, Ebensburg. She was 70. "She could quote genealogy from way back," said her sister, Gail Prave of East Taylor Township. Ms. Prave said genealogy fascinated her sister, likening Mrs. Kinnan's recollection of family history to a records center. She said her sister's interest in genealogy began in earnest when her mother, the late Elizabeth Krise Hott, left some of her genealogical information to Mrs. Kinnan.

Mrs. Kinnan was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 609 Walters Ave. The church, headquartered in Salt Lake City and whose members are known as Mormons, encourages its members to become involved in their families' histories, Ms.Prave said.

At the local church, Mrs. Kinnan was a former Relief Society president, Sunday school teacher and director of the family history center. Family history centers at Latter-day Saints churches have access to the church's massive genealogy archives in Salt Lake City, Ms. Prave said.

Mrs. Kinnan was a former member of the election board in Revloc. Election board members work at polls on election days, handing out ballots to voters and counting and delivering ballots to the Cambria County Courthouse after elections. She was a longtime member of the board in Revloc, her sister said. Mrs. Kinnan also took ballots to voters who were patients at Laurel Crest and who could not get to the polls, Ms. Prave said. Mrs. Kinnan was left to raise her five children on her own when her husband, Joseph, died when the children all were at young ages, Ms. Prave said. Mrs. Kinnan served as president of her family's Barefoot Reunion from 1992 until earlier this year, when ill health made it necessary for her to step down, her sister said.

She enjoyed cooking, particularly baking. "She was a wonderful baker," Ms. Prave said. She said she baked frequently, particularly pies, cakes and the like. She enjoyed reading, particularly books about history, her sister said. Asked to describe Mrs. Kinnan's personality, Ms. Prave said: "She was a very social person. She loved to talk to people, and she absolutely loved children. She had a beautiful spirit."

Eleanor Hott Kinnan with her son Jeffrey Scott Kinnan and Karen Kinnan


Mrs. Kinnan was a former Avon representative. Although she had been out of Avon sales for 15 years, many of her customers kept in touch with her, Ms. Prave said. "Her customers thought the world of her," her sister said. Mrs. Kinnan is survived by four sons: Jeffrey of Armagh; William and Greg, both of Casper, Wyo.; and Richard of Colver; and one daughter, Karen Peterson of Camp Verde, Ariz. There are six grandchildren. In addition to Ms. Prave, Mrs. Kinnan is survived by two brothers, Fred Hott and G.Robert Hott, both of Ebensburg; and four other sisters, Betsy Hawthorne of Johnstown, Sylvia Sonneborn of York, Mary Hutchison of Huntsville, Mo. and Nancy O'Hara of Wright, WY.

Origins of the Barefoot Name By Becky Barefoot

Origins of the Barefoot Name
In my research I have come across several different explanations of the origin of the name Barefoot. Several of those explanations and their sources follow. Most assuredly the name is not Native American, and it seems that the Pennsylvania Barefoot line, at least, has connections to Ireland. Whether it goes back further to Scandinavia is not known.
According to “Wallace-Bruce and Closely Related Families” by James Wallace:
A history of one branch of the Barefoot family says there were two Barefoot men – Englishmen – who fought in the Battle of Boyne on the Protestant side. They were brothers. After the war (William, Prince of Orange, against James II, 1690) they were given by King William what was called Crown land in Ireland. It is supposed the Barefoot men were Episcopalian, as nearly all the British officers belonged to the established church. The one we sprung from married a Scotch woman who was said to be very devout and brought her family up in the old secular fashion, always taking the children with her to church. The Barefoot men were tall, measured six feet or more, and of fair complexion. They were rather long-lived. There is also a tradition that among the foreigners – gallant Protestants – who rallied to Prince William’s banner from France, Holland, Germany and Scandinavia, there were two Norwegians named Barfod, who were descendants (or claimed to be) of the Norwegian King Magnus III (1093-1103) and that for their valor in the Battle of the Boyne, King William bestowed upon them Crown land in Ulster, Ireland.
According to information contained in the Genealogy of James Barefoot, Sr., and Mary Sleek (Slick):
King Magnus III, called Magnus Barefoot, was the son of Olaf III (ruled 1066-1093) considered Norway’s patron saint. Magnus was born in 1073 and came to the throne in 1093.He made three expeditions to Scotland and established rule over the Orkneys and the Hebrides, including the Isle of Man. On returning home from his conquest of the Hebrides around 1097, he adopted the dress in use there and went about barelegged, having a short tunic and also an upper garment, and so men called him “Barefoot.” [This is the earliest authentic mention of the kilt.] On August 24, 1103, Magnus and a few of his men were waiting to receive a promised herd of cattle in a swampy region near Ulster, Ireland, when they were ambushed by a large group of Irish. Magnus was killed. He was given a Christian burial and is interred somewhere near Dublin. He was succeeded by his three sons – Olaf IV, Eystein I, Sigurd – who reigned jointly.
According to Barefoot-Withrow Families” by Anne and Vivian Daughterty:
The name Barefoot is an ancient Anglo-Saxon name. The name Robert Barefot was recorded in Northamptonshire, England, as early as 1160 according to “The First Century of English Feudalism” by F. M. Stenton. The name Reginald Barfot is in the “Pipe Rolls of Cumberland” in 1203. A John Barfot was in the “Assize Rolls of Kent” in 1317. The name Barefoot has had many spellings over many years: Barefoote, Barfoot, Burfot, Berfot to mention a few.The Danes spell the name Barfoed. The Norwegian spelling is Barfod. Barford is the name of several places in England (other spellings of this name were Barley Ford, Ford of the Bear and Birch Ford). In England the name was also given to one who went barefooted and persons sent to a holy place as a penance were often ordered to go barefoot.
From “New Dictionary of American Family Names” by Eldson C. Smith, published by Harper & Row, 1956:
Barefoot (Eng) one who had the habit of going about barefoot; persons sent to a holy place as a penance were often ordered to go barefoot; one who came from Barford (barley ford, ford of the bear, birch ford), the name of several places in England. Posted on the Internet at this site: http://home.att.net/~beckfoot/origins_of_the_barefoot_name.htm

Letters Mailed to the President and Treasurer of Barefoot Reunion Association

WE GET LETTERS………………
I very much enjoyed the Barefoot Bulletin 2005. This spring we bought a small motor home, so maybe in 2006 we will come to the reunion. Maybe we’ll get a prize for coming the farthest. Thank you for all your efforts. My great-grandmother was Elizabeth Jane Barefoot, tenth child of William Barefoot and Diane Heck. The first child of my great-grandma was Bertha May Reasy. Her first child was my mother Rose Ella Buskirk (Ward-Edsall). Mom passed away in 1989. She had 8 children, and I am the youngest. Of all her many grandchildren, my son Mike Flaherty, b. 1954, passed away 31 May 2005. He lived in Cle Elum WA and left a wife Becky, daughter Morgan, and son Patrick. Also 3 grandchildren. It was sadder for me to be the first of Mom’s children to have a child die. May this find you and the rest of your family well and happy.
Nancy (Ward-Flaharty-Secoy) Berg
Enumclaw, WA
Dear Nancy,
We are very sorry to learn of the loss of your son Mike. May you take comfort in your sweet memories and the loving family he and his wife have created. Thank you for your kind comments.
Sylvia
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I enjoy your news bulletin so much. Thanks to you and your husband and your dear sister. God bless you all.
Natalie Warren
Johnstown, PA
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Hope you all have a cool day for the reunion. Please send me any old newsletters if you have any left. Any other news, like a new book on Barefoots? Sorry I can’t make it. Mother is not well. Thank you.
Louise B. Barefoot Gross
Petersburg, VA
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Thank you for the 2005 newsletter. Very nice to see each year. Hope to make it to the reunion one of these years.
Ray and Lois Barefoot
Angola, NY
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All of you sure do a good job year after year. I’m sure everyone appreciates your efforts. I would love to attend a reunion, but I know there would be few people that I know. We are getting older, and I’m sure few, if any, would know me. Still hanging in there and doing fine.
Lynn Thomas
Chandler, TX
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Every year I promise myself I’m going to get to the Barefoot Reunion, and the same thing comes up, and I say, “Ok, next year!”
I moved to Texas a year ago August and just returned to NC on July 9 of this year. So, needless to say, I’ve been really busy since then.
I’m enclosing money for the newsletter. I’d love to hear about what went on. Is someone keeping family update information? My youngest son, Michael Schatz and his wife Debora had a daughter Anna Linda Schatz on August 18, 2004.
I look forward to hearing from you, and I really hope to meet you next year.
Diana White
Valle Crucis, NC

Dear Diana,
Sylvia Coleman keeps the statistics on the family as well as many who use this newsletter to update their Barefoot books by Sylvia Coleman and Gary Mickle. We always appreciate those of you who update your information.
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I have had the reunion postcard stuffed in my daybook long enough, and I’m finally getting this off to you.
Please sign me up for the 2006 newsletter and change the address you have for me to my home address below. I hope you had a good turnout. I will be there one of these years.
Tammy Cotton
St. Charles, MO
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First I want to thank Eleanor for all the work she’s done for the Barefoot Reunion (As many of you know, Eleanor sadly passed away on 3 Dec. 2005, but I gave her your message.) Second, many thanks to you for an interesting and informative bulletin. I know you spend a lot of time gathering information and putting it together. We appreciate you, including Paul J. Sauers, Jr., obituary.
Betty J. (Sauers) Brown
Johnstown, PA

Dear Betty,
We, too, are always sorry to learn that a Barefoot member has passed away. Paul were positive force in this world and will be greatly missed. I also appreciate it that you mailed in his obituary for the newsletter last year.
Sylvia
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Please find enclosed a check for the Barefoot Reunion Association and newsletter. We had a wonderful visit with Eleanor Kinnan on July 4 - Lizzie Ann Hammer and Natalie Warren and I. See you on August 7.
Jane C. (Cauffiel) Thomson
Oberlin, OH

Dear Jane,
Your visits were one of the highlights of Eleanor’s life. She talked about her “cousins” for weeks afterwards. Thank you for taking the time to visit Ele.
Sylvia
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Thank you for the great newsletter. I know this must be a tremendous amount of work to put together, and I want to let you know the work is really appreciated. Thanks again for all your work on this meaningful newsletter.
Terry and Joyce (Hammer) Gribble
St. Clairsville, OH
Enclosed is subscription to the Barefoot Reunion newsletter. My sister Becky has moved back to town. She and I will plan to drive out for the reunion at Windber, PA. Hope everything is going well for you and your family.
Robert Cauffiel Lovingood
Lehigh Valley, PA
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I am sorry that we will not be able to attend the Barefoot Reunion this year. By the time I get to one of the reunions, perhaps I will get the award for the oldest guy present. Best wishes for a well-attended and great reunion.
Love to all,
Lowell V. Hammer
Port St. Lucie, FL
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My name is Donald B. Boyer, and I am a relative of the Barefoot Clan. My relationship is through my mother, Genevie Fleck Boyer and her mother,
(my grandmother), Ida Dopp Fleck. I am interested in tracing my relationship in the Barefoot Clan. While reading the latest Barefoot Bulletin, I notice reference to a book, which appears to be for sale, by the reunion newsletter. I would like very much to get a copy of this book if you could arrange to send one to me if it does indeed include a tracing of the clan. Would you send me a copy of the book or information where I could write for one.
Don Boyer
12 Bittersweet Dr.
Hagerstown, MD 21740


If you wish to order the Genealogy of James Barefoot, Sr., and Mary Sleek [Slick], contact Gary L Mickle, 304 Mock Ridge Rd, Alum Bank, PA 15521 and Sylvia “Geisel” Coleman, 2092 Penfield Rd,Penfield, NY 14526 or e-mail Sylvia at SCMishka@aol.com. There are copies available. Sylvia S.

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As I have mentioned before, I always enjoy reading the newsletter. “Barefoot” was my grandmother’s maiden name. She was born in Montague County, Texas. Soon after her marriage to L. A. Sanders, she moved with him to Chickasha, Oklahoma, where she lived her entire life and where my family was raised.
Barefoot is my middle name, and I am a Junior. My father never used the name, preferring to use his first name, “Harold.” I have been known as Barefoot since school days. In grammar school and high school I had a lot of razzing about the name; it proved helpful, however, when I went to college since folks could remember it so easily. I am 80 years of age this year and am in reasonable good health, still sitting as a senior federal district judge.
Best wishes to you,
Barefoot Sanders
Dallas, TX
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We had some unexpected company Sat-Sun. So we didn't make the reunion. I trust that it was well attended and all had a nice time with family. Did you take a photo off all those present? If so, could you send me the photo?? And identify those in the pic--It is a cinch that I won't know who they all are!! I remember going to Barefoot Reunions in the early 60's. If I remember correctly, the reunions were held on someone's farm. The reunions seemed to be quite well attended. I don't remember the farm owner or the location--heck, I was only 10-14. I do remember the food--There was definitely PLENTY of good, tasty food. Those Barefoots know how to eat!!! There was always a penny hunt in a huge pile of sawdust. What great fun!!
We did have our e-mail address changed last winter. It is now dansmcl@verizon.net
Dale McLaughlin
Kane, PA
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Re: Bill Barefoot, out past vice president.
I want to thank you very much for your prayers. Bill had the first Avastin Intraviteral Injection in the Right Eye on Friday from the retina doctor. On August 17 he will receive the second one, and the third will be done in October.He will finish the antibiotic drops though Tuesday. It is quite an interesting procedure. Today he was checked with the doctor, who did cataract for follow up. She will give him glasses for the left eye and will have a clear lens to the right eye until the injections are finished, and she will remove the cataract from right eye and then have corrective lens in that eye. We will see her at end of October after the retina is corrective from the bleeding. With glasses he has 20-20 in left eye. We are well pleased with progress. I will continue with the drops to left eye until they are used up. A lot has taken place in this past month. We are so thankful for your prayers and coming along side of us. God is so GOOD. We love you.
Dorothy & Bill Barefoot
York, PA

Barefoot Social News

SOCIAL NEWS


BAREFOOTS POSE FOR FOUR-GENERATION PHOTOS
Above, left, in this four-generation photo, Reta Barefoot of Bedford, center, recently posed with her great-grandchild, Dylan of Bedford, being held by Reta; her grandson Justin Barefoot of Bedford, left, Dylan’s father, and her son Kerry Barefoot of Bedford, right, Dylan’s grandfather.
Below, Reta, center, is shown with her great-grandchild, Sydney of Harrisburg, being held by Reta, her grandson, Keith Barefoot of Harrisburg, left, Sydney’s father, and her son Kerry Barefoot of Bedford, right, Sydney’s grandfather. p. 141, Barefoot Book

NINETIETH REUNION NEXT YEAR
Plan to attend the ninetieth Barefoot Reunion in 2007. We hope to put together a commemorative booklet for the 90th reunion. It will be on sale at next year’s reunion.



JENNIFER D. WOODLEY PREPARES FOR CHEF CAREER



Jennifer D. Woodley of Ebensburg, a student at Pennsylvania College of Technology's School of Hospitality, will present a special meal at the college's fine-dining restaurant on Friday, April 8, as part of her course work.
Woodley is a sophomore Culinary Arts Technology major at the college, located in Williamsport. The bachelor's degree program is designed to prepare students for entry level positions with management potential in the areas of institutional,
commercial and industrial food service.
According to information received from the school, Woodley has chosen to serve food from the Heartland as her presentation at Le Jeune Chef Restaurant. Her menu will include warm potato salad with sweetbreads, buffalo, sturgeon and pheasant. A goat-cheese tart and corn dogs with chutney
will be appetizers.
Students who have honed their culinary skills in the teaching-learning setting offered by Le Jeune Chef have been chosen for the National Culinary Olympics and other competitions, as well as catering national events.
Woodley, who says she always has been interested in cooking, made her career decision after job-shadowing a chef at a retirement home. She also interned at a well-known Italian restaurant in Altoona, where co-workers encouraged her to further her training as a chef.
In January, Jennifer was among a group of Penn College students who participated in cooking demonstrations on the main floor of the State Farm Show in Harrisburg.
The hospitality school's annual "A House for a House" project - creating chocolate houses for auction to benefit Habitat for Humanity – has been recognized by the Better Homes and Gardens Foundation. Another special program, the Distinguished Visiting Chef Series, raises funds for Hospitality scholarships while providing students twice-a-year opportunities to work with internationally-known culinary experts. A 2003 graduate of Central Cambria High School, Ebensburg, PA, Woodley is the daughter of Richard and Roberta Woodley of Ebensburg, PA.
After graduation from Penn College, she would like to work on a cruise ship. A goal, by the way, her mom says she also would like to see Jennifer achieve.
[Jennifer’s mom is Bobbie Woodley, secretary of the Barefoot Reunion. In the past, Jennifer has purchased the prizes for the reunion. Her grandparents are Gerald “Bob” and Barbara Jones Hott. Bob is son of Elizabeth (Krise) Hott, daughter of Ella (Hammer) Krise, daughter of Joseph Sleek Hammer, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Barefoot) Hammer.] p. 68 in Barefoot Book.

Shelby Hott Presents Master’s Thesis Defense



Shelby L. Hott, daughter of Eric and Maryanne Hott, presented her Master’s Thesis Defense at Duquesne University Bayer School of Natural and Environment Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences. She made the presentation on 24 May 2006 in Rockwell Hall on the effect of PAPP-A on the proliferation and differentiation of human adult mesenchymal stem cells.
Shelby was reared in WY, but she spent the latter part of her life in the South Central Pennsylvania town of Cresson. After graduating from Penn Central High School in 1999, she accepted a presidential scholarship to attend Seton Hill University in Greensburg, PA. Shelby was graduated in 2003 with a B.S. in biology and a minor in chemistry and psychology. Shortly after, she enrolled in the biology master’s program at Duquesne University. At Duquesne, Shelby entered Dr. John Doctor’s lab, where she worked on a collaborative research project with Dr. Phil Campbell (Carnegie Mellon University). Her data was recently presented at the Regenerate World Congress on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine. Shelby has served as a teaching assistant for General Biology II and anatomy and Physiology I and II. Following completion of her master’s degree, Shelby will continue working for Dr. Ellen Gawalt until the fall of the year on a potential biomaterial for bone regeneration. [ Shelby is the granddaughter of Fred and Delores (Miller) Hott, son of Elizabeth (Krise) Hott, daughter of Ella (Hammer) Krise, daughter of Joseph Sleek Hammer, son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Barefoot) Hammer.]

Message from President Mike Barefoot

Mike Barefoot, President of the 2006 Barefoot Reunion, Son of Bernard Barefoot

Hi to all the Barefoot Family,
I am honored to have been elected your president. I hope that I can carry on the legacy of all our past presidents. We are sorry for the passing of Eleanor Kinnan, our past president. My sympathy to her family.
We are so thankful to the many members who donate time and money to hold our reunion together and to keep the family united. We always have the reunion the first Sunday of August, and we have been meeting at Windber Recreational Park for many years now. We hope that many of you will join us this year. Best wishes for good health and prosperity.
Mike Barefoot
President, Barefoot Reunion Association, 183 Ridge Rd., Boiling Springs, PA 17007. Telephone 717-249-0267.

Pictures of the Clansmen

Aunt Billie Ann Hawthorne Huff gives her niece Meg Tinsmith of Salisbury, MD, a big hug.


The Hawthorne Daughters of William F. Hawthorne and Betsy Hawthorne all come to the Barefoot Reunion for their own little family reunion. L to R - Front Row: Billie Huff of Johnstown, Nan Tinsmith of Salisbury, MD, and Kathy Hall of Utah. Back Row: Suzan Hollist of New York and Vicki Erdley of Johnstown, PA.


The late Eleanor Kinnan and her brother Gerald Robert "Bob" Hott of Ebensburg.


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Aimee Tinsmith came the whole way from Utah to see her relatives.


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Clair Mock sits and ejoys a visit with his daughter.


Marty Erdley and Buddy Tinsmith enjoy the great food that we always have at the Barefoot Reunion


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Natalie Warren

A Letter from the Editor Sylvia H. Sonneborn

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Sylvia Hott Sonneborn – Treasurer and Newsletter Editor

Dear Barefoot Family,

Since we last “met,” it has been a sad year. My sister Eleanor Kinnan, a faithful president of the Barefoot Reunion Association, passed away on 3 December 2005. Unfortunately her death was hastened by an alleged overdose of medication, given to her at the care facility where she was residing. Her immediate family is in litigation over her death.
We will remember Eleanor for her love of family history and love of family. There wasn’t a person with whom she could not engage in conversation. She also remembered names of people and their family connections. It was difficult to do this newsletter without her input as she has been my sidekick for many years. She normally would have been sitting at my side, making corrections on the newsletter and telling me who all of you are and your family connections without looking at the Barefoot Book. She had such a wonderful mind. Her family will remember her most for the love she showed to them and all mankind. We sorely miss her.

In my own family, my husband Jack and I decided to downsize, so in April we moved from a two-story Colonial with 3 acres to a rancher with less that an acre. It is a smart move to relieve the pressure on these creaking bones, but, oh, where will be put everything? The new address is 3110 Starlight Drive, York, PA 17402. Phone – 717-757-2331; E-mail sylvias@sucom.net.

At the same time, my son Patshal Landis and wife Lisa and grandson William moved close to Albany, NY, for my son to accept a transfer in TYC O – MACOM [communications]. We certainly miss them, especially my only grandson who is now 2 and very active and interesting as well as loving.

Jack and I attended the computerized genealogy conference at Brigham Young University in April 2006 at Provo, Utah, and that was very helpful in our hobby of doing genealogy. We also belong to the Susquehanna Trails Genealogical Club, which co-sponsored a family history conference with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We were both planners and presenters at the conference, which had about 100 participants. We continue to serve on the staff of the Family History Center in the local LDS Church in York, and we remain active in our church. Who said retirement is easy?

I would like to give a special thank-you to those who collected obituaries for the newsletter: Betsy Hawthorne, Sylvia Coleman, and Sharon Sheldon. Thanks to all of you who sent information to me. Thank you to those of you who sent information about landmarks in your lives. Please keep that info coming. But most of all I want to thank those of you who subscribe to this newsletter and for those of you who are so generous with your contributions. Thank you, “cousins,” for all that you contribute to the Barefoot Reunion Association.
Best wishes,
Sylvia Sonneborn
Treasurer/Newsletter Editor