Family & Friends

These pages were initially created to transfer photos from traditional scrapbooks to the internet in order to both preserve and make the pictures and history available to family and friends. It has become more extensive than I intended. However, I see it as a way to save the details before they slip away.

Martin T

©2015 Theophilus

Alpine, Texas

Martin's Mom Margaret "Peg" Crerar Theophilus, Great-grandmother Margaret Ross, Grandmother Margaret Singer Crerar and Sister Peggy Anne in Cleveland, Ohio in 1944.

The Singer Home, Cottown, Aberdeanshire, Scotland, about 1902.  Martin's Grandmother's (Margaret Singer Crerar) aunt Chris, cousin Geo Brownie, her Mum, sister Ina, her Dad and Bella with bicycle.

The Singer Blacksmith's Shop, or "Smiddy"

Words on back "Three young men employed, Chris standing by donkey, Ina on its back,  me Margaret, in the cart"

March 28, 1947

Martin's Grandmother's (Margaret Singer Crerar at 16) in small white collar 6th from left back row.  Her mother (2nd from left with son Archie's hand on her shoulder).   Sister Ina holding doll.  Montreal, Canada October 1907.

Margaret Crerar drawing to identify the folks in the photo to left

Hi Martin.
Here is some info that may be of interest re your grandmother and her mother.

Margaret R Singer (1860) your GGM when she came out in 1907 to Montreal ,her son Archibald (1879) was already in Canada, he came out in 1906 after his first wife died in 1906. His son Archibald John stayed behind with Margaret (1860)
He may have lived in Montreal ,later moved to Smith Falls in Ontario (where he is buried ) also lived in Hamilton Ontario for several years .

Also in Montreal was Margaret's (1860) brother in law George Singer and his wife Clementina.  I wonder if that is the gentleman with the beard holding Ina ? He would have been about 57/58. Hard work being a blacksmith.
Archibald (1879) second marriage was to their daughter Clementine Singer ,1st cousins seemed fairly common at that time.

When your GM came in 1907 with Ina and Archibald John they may have stayed with the family for some time. Already in Ohio was Elsie Reid Singer married to Robert T Stephens they came in 1906 according to 1910 US census.
So somewhere between 1908-1910 your grandmother and some of her sisters came to Cleveland . Margaret and Christine are in the 1910 Census working for a private family in Cleveland  Helen (Nellie) is also working for a different family.
1910 Census shows Margaret (1860) with Ina now 10 in Cleveland.
August 1910 Archibald and his son Archibald John came to visit his mother coming through Buffalo according to cross border info !

Cayahoga must have been full of Scottish folks , that name keeps coming up with other family members on my mother's side. Must have been interesting with the Aberdeen accent mingling with folks from Glasgow. As a child we often went north of Aberdeen to the Cullen area sometimes we didn't know what they were saying.

Evelyn Bennett (01/19/16)

Young Margaret Singer

Martin's Great grandmother  (Margaret Crerar's Mom)  Margaret Singer

Shirley Ann Crerar (Martin's Grandfather's Sister)

George Crerar 1896 - 15 years old

George Crerar (Martin's Grandfather on his mother's side) sailed from Glasgow, Scotland Date of Arrival April 02, 1907 (happens to be my Dad's birth date in 1917). 

He traveled on the Columbia (above) - manifest

This was the peak year at Ellis Island with 1,004,756 immigrants received. The all-time daily high was on April 17th of this year when a total of 11,747 immigrants were processed.

George Crerar, age 30. 1911 Birth Nat Cert

Martin's Grandmother's B cert

George Crerar was one of the masons who laid the marble in the Cleveland, Ohio tower.   Built between 1920 and 1930.

Margaret Reid and George Crerar marriage announcement July 3, 1912

Margaret Reid and George Crerar marriage license July 3, 1912

Margaret Crerar's Naturalization cert

Margaret "Peg" Crerar Theophilus 15 months,  September, 1915 Birth Cert

George and Margaret Crerar with "Peg"  in 1917

 

Margaret Crerar with her Mom and "Peg"  in 1918

 

During World War I, the United States Navy asked that private citizens donate their binoculars for use by the U.S. Navy.  Martin's Grandparents donated their binoculars and received the letter above from then Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

Go to more information

Peg Crerar (Martin's Mom) with her Dad George Crerar in 1919

Helen Nell Singer Johnston with husband John (with daughter Margaret or Helen), Margaret Crerar's Sister

1919 Peg Crerar (center), her mom Margaret Crerar and Margaret's sister Isabel Garvey

Peg Crerar with Spot 1918

Peg Crerar with her Mom and Grandmother Ross picking strawberries in Michigan in 1919

Peg & Mom in Michigan 1919

The Ross family 1919 - Martin's Grandparents on right with Margaret Crerar's Dad in the middle holding umbrella.

 

 

Peg Crerar (Theophilus) helping her Grandma Ross

Martin's Grandmother and Mom inn 1920

Martin's Mom in car in 1920 with cousins on running board

Peg Crerar Theophilus on beach in Ohio

1924 Peg Crerar, Aunt Catherine and Uncle Elmer Lynch

The Crerars 1926

Peg Crerar and her Mom Margaret Crerar in Cleveland

 

Martin's Mom's high school graduation 1932

Martin's Mom Peg Crerar on boat on Lake Erie

Sarah Williams and Timothy Theophilus marriage in Wales, June 14, 1878, The Church of Yaliadyffin Wales, witnessed by Johny Benowdern, John Williams, Charles Williams & Miriane Davies

Finding family...

In the mid '90's Chris & I (Martin) were preparing to go see Chris' family in England.    I had received an email from an Andrew Theophilus in Stevenage, England. It turned out his family came from Swansea, Wales which is where my Dad's family was from.  At the same time my Aunt Sally came across a family cousin in Pennsylvania who mentioned that an Uncle in Florida had my Great Grandparents wedding certificate.  The Uncle FedExed the certificate and it arrived in Austin just as we were leaving for the Austin airport to fly to the UK.

We visited Andrew Theophilus family in Stevenage and then drove to Wales to see what could be found. 

 

The Wales village where my Great Grandparents were married was Rhandirmwyn.  It is in a beautiful setting.  We were surprised to find one third of the grave yards are filled with Theophilus. Chris & I found a pub store and they suggested we try talking to folks at the school.  At the school, a man said we needed to meet Dorie Theophilus.  He led us to her home.  She pulled out Theophilus documents and brought us some tea.  She then informed us that she needed to go shopping and left us in her home to look at the information.  Dorie led us to William Theophilus and his family.  We found similar links in our families, however no exact matches.  We have continued to communicate with William and exchanged Christmas cards with Dorie.  We were very saddened to learn that she passed away in 2007.

William Theophilus on his farm in Rhandirmwyn. 

Pannig Street was where Martin's Great grandmother lived in Rhandirmwyn when she was married.

View video of visit to Rhandirmwyn

 

Albert Theophilus and Mary Martin's marriage certificate

Martin's Mom at 15 months

Oliver Harold "Ollie"Theophilus 6 months
October, 1917 birth cert

Cherry Street is a east-west street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that runs parallel to Race Street to the north and Arch Street to the south. It was not one of William Penn's original gridded streets from the 1680s, and began as an alleyway, bridging from one numbered street to the next.  It is listed by name on the map in Birch's Views of Philadelphia (1800) – Race and Arch Streets are listed by their original names, "Sassafras" and "Mulberry." The earliest official use of the name Cherry Street was in 1809

872 Cherry St, Philadelphia, PA on April 2, 2022

Mary Reaney Martin Theophilus - Martin's Grandmother

Martin's Grandfather Albert holding Martin's Dad Oliver in 1918

When Martin's Dad was 14, his father Albert Theophilus was killed in auto accident when attempting to crank start his car. At the time Albert was selling Delco batteries.  The family moved to the Bates Farm after his death.

Albert Theophilus' 1917 WW I draft card - Martin's grandfather

Theophilus & Findley

Oliver H, Bud (Albert), Sally with Mom and Dad (Albert Theophilus) Marriage cert

unknown

Dad (Oliver Harold Theophilus)

March 29, 1925 Ollie's Kindergarten Certificate

Oliver H. Theophilus (Martin's Dad) in his school orchestra (left).

He is third from left

New Castle, PA High School where Martin's Dad graduated in 1933

Martin's Dad Oliver Harold "Ollie"Theophilus - third from left

Oliver Theophilus (center) Publicity Director, Triangle Guild Players -  go to more about the actor's letters

 

The "Y" Flyer by Oliver Theophilus

 

We have taken my Dad's letters and attempted to find period photos that reflect what the actors were doing at the time the letters were written and subsequently in their car.  This letter is from Spencer Tracy.

go to more Hollywoodtters to Martin's Dad

1940 letter to Dad from J. Edgar Hoover FBI Director

Letters were received from  Bob Hope, Charles Laughton, Darryl Zanuck, Deanna Durbin, Eddie Cantor, Edward G. Robinson, Fred Allen, James Marion Fidler, Joan Crawford, Joe E. Brown, Lionel Barrymore,  Olsen & Johnson, Basil Rathbone, Sheilah Graham and Spencer Tracy

go to more Hollywood letters to Martin's Dad

 

In Oliver's college days, he was involved in throwing events such as HellzA Poppin.  This photo shows him (middle front) staging a publicity stunt.

Oliver Harold Theophilus' Grade Point Average calculator invention Accuratio  Page 2  Page 3   More

Martin's Dad "Ollie" worked for the Dean at Muskingum College while going to school.  He had to withdraw before completing his Senior year to support his Mom and siblings

Martin's Dad (far right) with the Muskingum Dean and the rest of the Dean's staff

Dad with friends at Muskingum

Martin's Dad 1935 Muskingum University 1st row gray jacket.

John Glenn graduated from Muskingum in 1962 and his wife Annie Castor Glenn graduated in 1941.

Martin's Dad October 12, 1938 Muskingum University 1st row center with Dean behind him.  Did not complete his senior year as he went to work with Land O' Lakes to support his Mom and family.

 

1938 CADILLAC LASALLE COUPE

     

  

1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 limousine?

1938 CADILLAC LASALLE COUPE

1938 Cadillac Series 90 V-16 limousine?

Peg on a raft at Terrill Pond

Peg Crerar standing beside pump where photo was taken during her childhood

George, Margaret & Peg 1939

George with nieces

"Pop" Crerar showing an automobile head lamp to a neighbor

Margaret Crerar Spring 1941

Margaret "Peg" Crerar 1941

Martin's Grandparents Spring 1941 Cleveland

Margaret Crerar Summer of 1941

Margaret Crerar 1930s

Peg Crerar teaching Sunday School

Cleveland, OH 1933

August 1933 Margaret Fies and Peg Crerar (2 unknowns) Clive, OH, Willowich, Lake Erie

Halloween party Nela Park 1936 - Peg in kilts

Bob Uher & Peg Crerar - Dutch costumes made by Peg
Fall 1936

Peg Crerar with Summer beau Fred Iverson at White Lake, Michigan in 1936. He taught her to sail.

Peg and Pop Crerar at
Roadside park on way to
Muskegon, Michigan

Peg "hamming it up" with coworkers at GE's Nela Park

Ollie's Mom Theophilus and friend 1930's

Land O Lakes Butter where Ollie worked when he met Peg who was working at GE's Nela Park

 

Peg Theophilus (Martin's Mom) in 1940 on the steps of the Cleveland, OH Calvary Presbyterian church with her Sunday school class

Peg Crerar worked for General Electric in Cleveland, Ohio both before and after she met and married Oliver "Ollie" Theophilus, up until Peggy Anne was born in October , 1942.

1940 Peg Crerar Theophilus at the GE Nela Park Print Shop with her co-workers

Oliver "Ollie' Theophilus with Mom Mary Reaney Martin, Sister Sally Theophilus Gibson and Brother "Bud" Theophilus at the Crerars home in Cleveland

 

Bud, Don, Sally & Ollie • Bud, Don & Ollie

"Bud" Theophilus, Winter 1941

Sally, Dale, Elsie & Bud 1941

Martin's Mom (Peg) and Dad (Ollie) on the Muskingum Campus 1941

Martin's Uncle Don Gibson 1941

Oliver Peg, Margaret & George 1941 in Cleveland, Ohio

Ollie & Peg at Crerars 1942

Crerar's home in Cleveland 2010 taken by Chris & Martin

 

Crerar home 14111 Woodworth, Cleveland, OH

Crerar Home 2015

The Crerars moved to Alpine, Texas in 1947 the year after Martin was born.

Mom Mary Reaney Martin, Sister Sally Theophilus Gibson and Brother "Bud" Theophilus ,New Castle

 

Wedding rehearsal

Peg's Grandmother Margaret Reid Singer, Peg (Margaret Crerar Theophilus) and Peg's Mom Margaret Singer Crerar at Peg and Ollie's wedding, November 22, 1941.  Marriage Certificate

Oliver & Peg Theophilus wedding November 22, 1941

Peg & Ollie Theophilus first home, Cleveland, Oh, December 1941

Peg & Ollie's 1941 Christmas card

George and Margaret Crerar with the Millers in Cleveland

PEG & Ollie Theophilus early 1942 on Pelee Island

Peg and Mom & Pop Crerar at picnic early 1942

Peg & Ollie Theophilus Easter 1942

Ollie & Peg Theophilus "Trying to escape the heat" - Cleveland July 20, 1942

 

Peg & Ollie 1942

"Bud" Theophilus with his Grandmother Mary Martin in 1942 and Ollie & Bud

Ollie & Peg at cousin Dorothy Stephens wedding.  Peg was pregnant with Peggy Anne

Peg & Ollie Theophilus as Ollie was inducted into the US Army July 24, 1942

Mom Theophilus, Ollie & sister Sally 1942

Martin's Uncle Don Gibson during WWII.  Fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was at the headquarters tent when the US commander said "nuts" to the German offer of surrender.

Oliver and Peg (Martin's Mom & Dad at Camp Perry, OH in 1942

Oliver's call to active duty

Margaret & George Crerar with Peg & Ollie at Camp Perry, Ohio

Oliver and Peg

Peg pregnant with Peggy Anne

Margaret Crerar 1942

Ollie Theophilus, Denver 1942

Denver, Colorado April 1942

Peggy Ann Theophilus Karvonen King & below at 7 days old
7 days old, October 27, 1942, Cleveland, OH

Ollie still in US Army training in Denver

Mom & Pop Crerar with Peg,Peggy & Ollie 1942

On December 23, 1942 Ollie received a base pass at the Santa Anna Army Air Base while attending training • more about SAAAB

   

Link Trainer Facility at Santa Anna Army Air Base

Bob Hope performing at SAAAB

Santa Anna Army Air Base, California

View more pages from MAAB booklet 

Oblique airphoto of Marfa Army Airfield, looking north about 1943, with several hundred aircraft on its parking ramp

Another oblique airphoto, looking east, probably in 1945 just before the airfield's closure. Note the lack of aircraft on the ramp, but many, many exhaust spots from where they were parked.

© The above 2 images are a work of a U.S. Air Force Airman or employee, taken or made during the course of the person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the images are in the public domain. Below July 2011

Dad's uniform jacket end WW II    

WWII US Army Honorable Discharge Patch (left)

Army  Air Forces Training Command Patch (right above)

Peggy Anne's birth record, October 20, 1942

Peg with Peggy on 1st anniversary

Christmas 1942 - Peg & Peggy Anne

Ollie, Peg & Peggy Anne 1943

Martin Mom's letter about first day in Alpine (moving from Ohio) February 15, 1943

Peg & Ollie with Peggy Easter 1943 in Alpine

Go to more about Marfa, Texas

View more pages from MAAB booklet  view UK video

Aerial view Marfa Army Air Base  1943 Plans

More about Marfa, Texas air base

Ollie with Peggy Anne and a dog in 1943

Peg with Peggy Anne and a dog in 1943

Theophilus family's World War II ration books

Party at the Freshman's - Army Air Corps group?

Go to more about Marfa, Texas

March 1943 Theophilus' First home in Alpine was just behind their future residence at 702 North 5th Street and beside the future home of Peg's parents home (Martin's Grandparents).  This view is of Mrs. Steffenson's house and windmill (later home of the Scudders).

View to the East from Theophilus' First home in Alpine.  Note the US Army plane from Marfa Army Air Field (left top),  March 1943

Inside Theophilus' First home in Alpine.  Ollie entered the Army Air Force in July 1942, completed basic training in Denver and in   March 1943 was assigned as a Link Trainer Instructor at the Marfa Army Air Field in early 1943.

Martin's Grandparents in Cleveland in 1943

Peg, Ollie & Peggy Anne 1943

Family friends McCulleys

Theophilus/Crerar picnic with the Stephensons

picnic with the Stephensons Peg, Peggy Anne, Ollie, Margaret and George

Stephensons of Alpine Texas

Ollie & Peggy Anne 1944

Ollie & Peggy Anne 1944

Link Trainer article

Martin's Mom Margaret "Peg" Crerar Theophilus, Great-grandmother Margaret Ross, Grandmother Margaret Singer Crerar and Sister Peggy Anne in Cleveland, Ohio in 1944.

Peggy with Dad's shoe

Ollie provided Link (blind flying or instrument flying at the Marfa Army Air Base during WW II.

Marfa Army Ai Field Base Exchange building

Marfa Army Air Base HQ

Peggy & Alpine house 1944

see also this Alpine link

Ollie (rt) with Air Corps friend at Mitre Peak in 1944

out for a drive in 1945

Peggy Anne and Alpine, Texas' Twin Sisters mountain in 1945

Peggy Anne and Ginger in May 1945

Grammar School post card (Central Grade School) Alpine, Texas 1945

Peg & Peggy at the adobe stagecoach ruins on the Alpine to Fort Davis highway in 1945

Alpine, Texas 1945

original Theophilus' family home Alpine, Texas - 1945

Peggy on her 3rd birthday

Peggy Anne and Grandma - Margaret Crerar

Peggy & Peg (Mom)

Peg diving and Peggy swimming at Mitre Peak

Peggy & Dad (Ollie w/Sargent stripes) Mitre Peak

Picnic at the Rock Pile 1945

Clyde Beaty Circus truck 1945 (Central School)

Old Alpine Marfa underpass

Marfa Army Air Base Marfacts - more

Peggy & Dad (Ollie w/Sargent stripes) Mitre Peak

© 2015

"Phantom Productions" is the registered trademark of Phantom Productions, Inc. Copyright 2007

All pictures and content on this web site are the property of Phantom Productions, Inc.

Scrapbook

Click this link to view more about David Perkoff Music