Clara Ethel Cassity
1909 - 2011 (102 years)
Generation: 1
Generation: 3
Generation: 4
1. Clara Ethel Cassity was born on 6 Aug 1909 in Linn County, Missouri (daughter of Franklin Elliott Cassity and Miriam Florence Puckett); died on 30 Aug 2011 in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia; was buried in Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport, Scott County, Iowa. Notes:
Ethel Schwengel, widow of former Congressman Fred Schwengel, died of a heart attack on August 30, 2011, in Arlington, Virginia, at the age of 102.
Clara Ethel Schwengel was born on August 6, 1909, on the family farm near Purdin, Missouri. She was the daughter of Frank and Miriam Cassity. After attending a rural school, she graduated from Purdin High School in 1927. In 1932 she graduated from Truman State University which at the time was known as Kirksville State Teachers College.
While a student, she married Frederic Schwengel on August 15, 1931, at Unionville, Missouri. Following graduation she and her husband lived in Kirksville where Mr. Schwengel was a high school teacher and coach.
After the Schwengels moved to Davenport, Iowa, Mrs. Schwengel was a physical education director there from 1943-46. She was member of the PEO in Davenport and later in Washington, D.C. In Davenport she was also a member of the Iowa Chapters of Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile, the Alpha Sigma Alpha Social Sorority and the Calvary Baptist Church, where she was an active member. She was a member of the Scott County Girls Scout Council and was a Chairman Emeritus of the YWCA Board there.
In 1944 her husband was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives and in 1954 he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives where he served from 1955 to 1965 and from 1967 to 1973. Mrs. Schwengel joined the Congressional Club in 1955 and remained a member until her death. During the years she lived in Washington area she was also a member of the PEO (Chapter AD of the District of Columbia).
During the years that her husband was in public office, Ethel Schwengel was a strong presence in public life as well. She campaigned for her husband, but was even more important as a calm influence in keeping the Schwengel household in hand. She was a gracious and wonderful hostess, often responding to last minute calls from her husband about some additional people for the dinner table. During their years in Washington, D.C., the Schwengels hosted “Week in Washington” college students for many years. She supported her husband’s efforts to collect antiques and Abraham Lincoln memorabilia, always arranging for it to be appropriated displayed in the Schwengel house.
Throughout their 61 years of marriage Ethel and Fred Schwengel had a large extended family. They raised two children, Frank and Dorothy. But, immediately after marrying, their home became home to Fred’s brother Forrest and sister Helene. Then Fred’s widowed Mother, Margaret, joined the household. Later Ethel’s Mother was with them. Following World War II the Schwengels opened their home in Davenport to eleven displaced persons from Poland, helping them learn the English language, find jobs and become US citizens.
In 1966 their grandson Robert Schwengel joined the household. When he left for college in 1978, it was the first time in 48 years of marriage that Ethel and Fred Schwengel were without extended family in their household.
After Mr. Schwengel left Congress in 1973, Fred and Ethel continued to make their home in Arlington, Virginia. Mrs. Schwengel was active in the work of the Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union, the Lucia Green Circle and of the Washington Baptist Fellowship. She was active in supporting the work of the US Capitol Historical Society which her husband headed until his death in 1993. She was a member of the Honorary Board of the Society. The lifetime Schwengel collection of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia was donated to Truman State University as the Fred and Ethel Schwengel Collection. In 1998 Ethel Schwengel received the President’s Leadership Award from Truman State University.
In 1995 she participated in the ceremony that named the Interstate 80 bridge near Davenport, Iowa, as the Fred Schwengel Bridge.
Mrs. Schwengel was an accomplished bridge player and played regularly past the age of 95. In 1995 Mrs. Schwengel left her home of 37 years in Arlington, Virginia, and moved to the Jefferson, a retirement community at Ballston, Virginia.
Ethel Schwengel is survived by two children, Frank D. Schwengel (and his wife Gwen) of Santa Monica, California and Dorothy S. Cosby (and her husband Neale) of Alexandria, Virginia. In addition, Mrs. Schwengel had five grandsons (Robert Schwengel, Cameron Cosby, Scott Cosby, Kris Schwengel, and Kurt Schwengel) and nine great grandchildren (Riley, Caitlin, Elizabeth, John, Kane, Cole, Blaine, Leia, and Woody).
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75955753/clara-ethel-schwengelClara married Frederick Delbert Schwengel in 1931. Frederick was born on 28 May 1906 in Sheffield, Franklin County, Iowa; died on 1 Apr 1993 in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia; was buried in Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport, Scott County, Iowa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
2. 
Franklin Elliott Cassity was born on 10 Aug 1878 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri (son of William Harrison Cassity and Sarah Grace Van Horn); died on 4 Jun 1955 in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri; was buried on 5 Jun 1955 in Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Census: 1910, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1920, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1930, New Boston, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1940, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
Frank Cassity, Purdin, Passes Away June 3rd
Franklin Elliott Cassity, a Linn County native and a 32nd degree Mason, died Friday morning, June 3, 1955, at a hospital at Kirksville.
Mr. Cassity was a member of the First Christian Church in Brookfield.
Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, June 6, at 2 o’clock, in the Methodist Church in Purdin, conducted by the rev. William Icenogle, of Kansas City. Interment was made in the Purdin Cemetery under the direction of the Hill Funeral Home.
Franklin Elliott, son of Harrison and Sarah Cassity, was born in Linn County on Aug. 10, 1876. On Sept. 23, 1903, he married Miriam Puckett.
Mr. Cassity is survived by his wife, Mrs. Miriam Cassity of the home, 2 miles east of Purdin; two daughters, Mrs. Fred Schwengle, Davenport, Iowa, and Mrs. Florence Sears, Davenport, Iowa; two grandchildren, Franklin and Dorothy Schwengle, Davenport, Iowa.
Mr. Cassity was preceded in death by his father and mother and one brother, Addie.
The Browning Leader-Record, Browning, Missouri. Thursday, 9 June 1955.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23797157/franklin-elliott-cassity
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1955/1955_00014509.PDFFranklin married Miriam Florence Puckett on 23 Sep 1903 in Leon, Iowa. Miriam was born on 29 Mar 1876 in Tuscola, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 23 Mar 1969 in Oakton, Fairfax County, Virginia; was buried in Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
3. Miriam Florence Puckett was born on 29 Mar 1876 in Tuscola, Champaign County, Illinois; died on 23 Mar 1969 in Oakton, Fairfax County, Virginia; was buried in Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Notes:
Mrs. Frank Cassity
Mrs. Frank Cassity, 92, mother of Mrs. Fred Schwengel, died Sunday at Oakton Nursing Home, Oakton, Va.
Services will be Wednesday at Wade Funeral Home, Browning, Mo., with burial in Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, Mo.
Memorial services are tonight at 8 at the Pearson Funeral Home, Falls Church, Va.
The former Miriam Florence Puckett was born in Champaign, Ill. on March 29, 1876.
She was married to Frank Cassity on Sept. 23, 1903 in Purdin, Mo. They lived on a farm east of Purdin for 52 year.
Mrs. Cassity received her education and taught school in Clark County. In 1962 she lived with her daughter, Mrs. Fred Schwengel in Davenport and in Arlington, Va. She was a member of First Christian Church, Brookfield, Mo. Her husband, four sisters, and two brothers preceded her in death.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Schwengel, Davenport and Mrs. Florence Miller, Washington, D.C.; two grandchildren and three great-grandsons.
The Rock Island Argus, Rock Island, Illinois. Monday, 24 March 1969.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/23797385/miriam-florence-cassityChildren:
- 1. Clara Ethel Cassity was born on 6 Aug 1909 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 30 Aug 2011 in Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia; was buried in Davenport Memorial Park, Davenport, Scott County, Iowa.
- Florence Cassity was born in 1912 in Missouri.
Generation: 3
4. 
William Harrison Cassity was born on 21 Jan 1841 in Bath County, Kentucky (son of William T. Cassity and Dorothy Trumbo); died on 24 Feb 1911 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 25 Feb 1911 in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Census: 1880, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1900, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
- Census: 1910, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1911/1911_00011020.PDF
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21990402/william-harrison-cassity
Harrison, son of William and Dorothy Cassity, died at home, three miles east of Purdin. Services at home.William married Sarah Grace Van Horn on 16 Dec 1876. Sarah was born on 2 Mar 1850 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 6 Apr 1917 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 8 Apr 1917 in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
5. Sarah Grace Van Horn was born on 2 Mar 1850 in Linn County, Missouri; died on 6 Apr 1917 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 8 Apr 1917 in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Notes:
Died:
Missouri death certificate
https://www.sos.mo.gov/images/archives/deathcerts/1917/1917_00016235.PDF
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/143105267/sarah-g-cassityChildren:
- 2. Franklin Elliott Cassity was born on 10 Aug 1878 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; died on 4 Jun 1955 in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri; was buried on 5 Jun 1955 in Purdin Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
- James Adam "Addie" Cassity was born on 14 Sep 1883; died on 3 Jan 1889 in Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
Generation: 4
8. 
William T. Cassity was born on 2 Jan 1803 in Montgomery County, Kentucky (son of Peter Thompson Cassity and Mary "Polly" Melissa Armstrong); died on 21 Jan 1868 in Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Notes:
1882 History of Linn County, Missouri. BIOGRAPHY - Grantsville Township: 853
James I. Cassity was born in Fleming county, Kentucky, November 1, 1830. His father was William F. Cassity, born in Montgomery county Kentucky, January 1803, and removed in January, 1851, to this county. His vocation was that of farmer and blacksmith. He was a well informed gentleman and respected by all who knew him; he held the office of justice of the peace for several years, and after a life of usefulness he died, in January, 1867. The wife of William T. Cassity[i] was Dora Trumbo, born in Bath county, Kentucky, December 21, 1808; she is yet living. James I. Cassity remained in his native county until October 1, 1849, when he removed with his father to Lee county, Iowa, and from there, after raising one crop, to Missouri, in 1851, the family first settling in Benton township. Mr. Cassity lived with his parents until he was twenty-three years of age, when he began work on his own account on a tract of land given him by his father. In March, 1859, he, with four companions, went to Colorado, where Mr. Cassity remained for three months, being engaged in mining. He returned to this county, January 15, 1860, was married to Mary R. H. Moore, born in this county, January 15, 1842; Esq. Paston officiated on the occasion. The issue of their marriage has been nine children; viz, Dorothy A., Mary J., Isaac F., James W. H., Sarah L., John I., George H., and Daniel Garfield, living, and Essie B., dead. In 1861 he enrolled as a member of the Union home guards, and served in the Federal militia at intervals during the war. Since 1865 he has given his attention to farming. In 1863 he was constable of his township. By industry and economy he has become the possessor of 285 acres of land; is a prosperous farmer, and well respected in his community.
US General Land Office Records
Name: William T Cassity
Issue Date: 1 Oct 1852
Place: Linn, Missouri, USA
Land Office: Milan
Meridian: 5th PM
Township: 59-N
Range: 20-W
Section: 3
Accession Number: MO4880__.238
Document Number: 815
Township 059N - Range 020W - SE¼SW¼ - Section 3
https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=MO4880__.238&docClass=STA&sid=mpiwde5z.2wk
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150345831/william-t_-cassityWilliam married Dorothy Trumbo on 14 Feb 1828 in Bath County, Kentucky. Dorothy (daughter of John Trumbo and Sarah Wiggington Atchison) was born on 22 Dec 1808 in Bath County, Kentucky; died on 24 May 1891 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
9. 
Dorothy Trumbo was born on 22 Dec 1808 in Bath County, Kentucky (daughter of John Trumbo and Sarah Wiggington Atchison); died on 24 May 1891 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri. Other Events:
- Census: 1880, Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri
Notes:
MHR note: Dorothy (Trumbo) Cassity was called Dollie. Her name was "Dorotha" on stoe at Grantsville, about 4 miles east of Purdin. She was aged 32 years, 5 months, 2 days. Their stonehad been moved from the burial place on the old "Al" Cassity farm, about 1 miles north of Linneus, Missouri by their grandson, Frank E. Cassity,as the old place on a hill in a field was not kept up. The stones of their two sons, John Alva and Isaac Franklin Cassity had been moved from the farm to the Grantsville Cemetery also. Frank Cassity said that Dorothy had a first cousin "Monnie" Trubmo. He may have been Monasas Trumbo.
MRH note. Dorothy Trumbo's father had 6 silver teaspoons made of 6 silver dollars for part of her dowry.. Frank E. Cassity had them in 1950. She also had a copper candle snuffer which Frank gave to the historical society at Kirsville, Missouri. Dorothy's sister, Deborah (Trumbo) Jones got the silver cangle molds wich had been the property of the British General, Proctor, and was taken when his goods were confiscated. It became the property of John Trumbo of Bath County, Kentucky, father of Dorothy and Deborah, among other children.
Buried:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150355499/dorotha-cassity
In memory of our Mother.
Wife of W. T. Cassity.
Aged 82 y. 5 m. 2 d.Children:
- Sarah Grace Cassity was born on 25 Apr 1829 in Bath County, Kentucky; died on 15 Jan 1892 in Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
- James Ira Cassity was born on 1 Nov 1830 in Fleming County, Kentucky; died on 1 Dec 1915 in Port LaVaca, Texas; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
- John Alva Cassity was born on 9 Aug 1832 in Bath County, Kentucky; died on 24 Jan 1883 in Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
- Mary Ann Cassity was born on 7 Dec 1836 in Bath County, Kentucky; died on 30 Jun 1880 in Grantsville Township, Linn County, Missouri; was buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Linn County, Missouri.
- 4. William Harrison Cassity was born on 21 Jan 1841 in Bath County, Kentucky; died on 24 Feb 1911 in Purdin, Linn County, Missouri; was buried on 25 Feb 1911 in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.
- Isaac Franklin Cassity was born on 9 Jul 1843 in Bath County, Kentucky; died on 6 Aug 1862 in Missouri; was buried in Grantsville Cemetery, Purdin, Linn County, Missouri.