THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Orline Thacher; Born: 27 Mar 1851, Eutaw, Alabama; Died: 5 Feb 1935, Estero, Florida. FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: Orline Thatcher: "Although quite a fashion plate when she came in at Chicago, by the time she decided to accompany me north by boat on one of my vacation trips, her clothes and hair style were decidedly on the freakish side so, when I became friendly with two young women on the boat, would have preferred that she be known just as my room mate, but she went to great pains to tell everybody that she was a special friend of my mother!!" Burial: KORESHAN UNITY CEMETERY--lot 12; Inscription: Orline Thatcher--1851-Feb. 1935. 1900 U. S. Federal Census; Calumet Township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; ED No. 986; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City; 31; Enumeration Date: 13 Jun 1900; Enumerator: Ernest E. Ellington; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999: Oline Thatcher; Residence: 99th Street, Dwelling No. 133; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color: White; Sex: Female; Month of birth: March; Year of birth: 1856; Age at last birthday: 44 Married: No. of years married: 1*; Mother of how many children: 0; Place of birth: Alabama; Place of birth of father: New York; Place of birth of mother: Pennsylvania; Occupation: Nothing listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes. (*All but five residents living in this dwelling listed their number of years married as one.) U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1910; Enumeration date: 23 Apr 1910; Koreshan Unity; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; Microfilm number: Fl 1910-H T624; ED: 80; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 4 Jan 1995: Orline Thacher; Sex: Female; Race: white; Age 59; Marital Status: Married 1 time; Number of years married: 22; Place of birth: Alabama; Place of birth of father: Massachusetts; Place of birth of mother: Alabama; Language spoken: English; Occupation: Kindergarten?/for Unity; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes. U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1920; Enumeration date: Jan 2, 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; ED: 109; SD: 1; Fourth Precinct; Microfilm roll number: 1820221; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, Dec 1994: Orline Thacher; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Place of residence: Dining Hall and ladies dormitory place; Age 68; widow; Place of birth: Alabama; Place of birth of father: Massachusetts; Place of birth of mother: Alabama; Occupation: Seamstress/K.U. Colony. U.S. Federal 1930 Census; Election Precinct 12; Estero, Lee County, Florida; Koreshan Unity Home; Enumeration Date: May 5, 1930; Enumerator: William Howell; ED: 36-17; SD: 6; Page 199; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 2003: Orlean Thacher; Radio set: None listed; Sex: Male (?); Color: white; Age at last birthday: 79; Marital condition: widow; Age at first marriage: 35; Attended school since Sep 1, 1929: no; Whether able to read and write: yes; Place of birth: Alabama; Place of birth of father: Pennsylvania; Place of birth of mother: Alabama; Whether able to speak English: yes; Occupation: House keeper; Industry: House work; Whether actually at work yesterday (or the last regular working day): yes. Flaming Sword, v.49, n.3, p.13 (Community Current Events) -- "Monday morning, February 4, Mrs. Orline Thacher, who for the past two years had been living with Mrs. Lillian Rugg, two miles north of Estero on the Tamiami Trail, passed to the Great Beyond at the ripe old age of 84. Mrs. Thacher was a "Southerner," from Eutaw, Alabama. She had long been a member of the Koreshan Unity, both in Chicago and Estero. During the past several years she had been in failing health, and Mrs. Rugg generously took her into her home and personally cared for her."
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Samuel Thacher
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: E. Gertrude Thayer
THE FLAMING SWORD; Community Current Events by Alafae Stephens; April 1934: "Mrs. Ruth Boomer Thomas and little son, Brooks, left for their home in Philadelphia on the fifteenth, after visiting for six weeks with Mrs. Thomas' mother and sister at Mirasol Grove. Mrs. Thomas enlivened activities here during her stay, and her many friends are looking forward to her return next winter." NOTE: There are some photographs of "Brooks" in the collection - See Index
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Carl Thomas: 23 Jan 1883.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Charles Thomas: Born: 1 May 1838, Monmouth Co., New Jersey
1910 U. S. Federal Census; State: Pennsylvania; County: Philadelphia; City: Philadelphia; Enumeration date: 21 Apr 1910; Enumerator: Jerome P. Ryan; SD: 1; Ed: 842; Ward: 34; Sheet: 8; Address: Sherwood Road; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 16, 2004. Name: Clair Thomas; Relation to head of family: daughter; Sex: female; Color: white; Age: 2; Marital status: single; Place of birth: Pennsylvania; Place of birth of father: Pennsylvania; Place of birth of mother: Pennsylvania. U.S. Federal 1920 Census: State: Pennsylvania; County: Philadelphia; Incorporated Place: Philadelphia: Enumeration date: 12 & 13 January 1920; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff: Clair Thomas; Address: 8004 Lincoln Drive; Relation to head of family: daughter; Sex: female; Color: white; Age: 13; Marital status: single; Attend school: yes; Can read: yes; Can write: yes; Place of birth: Pennsylvania.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Emile Thomas, Born: 6 Aug 1837.
1910 U. S. Federal Census; State: Pennsylvania; County: Philadelphia; City: Philadelphia; Enumeration date: 21 Apr 1910; Enumerator: Jerome P. Ryan; SD: 1; Ed: 842; Ward: 34; Sheet: 8; Address: Sherwood Road; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 16, 2004. Name: Florence Thomas; Relation to head of family: daughter; Sex: female; Color: white; Age: 7/12 (?); Marital status: single; Place of birth: Pennsylvania; Place of birth of father: Pennsylvania; Place of birth of mother: Pennsylvania. U.S. Federal 1920 Census: State: Pennsylvania; County: Philadelphia; Incorporated Place: Philadelphia: Enumeration date: 12 & 13 January 1920; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff: Florence Thomas; Address: 8004 Lincoln Drive; Relation to head of family: Relation to head of family: daughter; Sex: female; Color: white; Age: 13; Marital status: single; Attend school: yes; Can read: yes; Can write: yes; Place of birth: Pennsylvania.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Harvey H. Thomas.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Sarah R. Thomas; 10 Oct 1830
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Ruth S. Boomer married Walter Thomas. Biographies-Architects of Overbrook Farms; www.overbrookfarms.org/architects.htm: Walter Thomas Thomas was born in Philadelphia on December 29, 1876 and died May 4, 1948. He attended the Episcopal Academy and then entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1899 with his B.S. in Architecture. He practiced in many firms and designed many churches and residences. In 1930, he was named City Architect and carried those responsibilities through 1931. Also in 1937, he became executive director of the Philadelphia housing authority, a position in which he remained in 1942. Although Thomas also concentrated on the construction of housing during his later years, he was overall better known as an architect of churches. Biography of Thomas Walter Horstmann, Architect (1876-1948); Philadelphia Architects and Buildings; Written by Sandra L. Tatman; www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display.cfm?ArchitectId=A1385; 17 October 2002: Born: 12/29/1876; Died: 5/4/1948 Versatile and long-lived church architect, Walter H. Thomas was born in Philadelphia, th.e son of Richard Newton and Clara L. (Horstman) Thomas. After an early education at the Delancey School and Episcopal Academy, Thomas entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1899 with his B.S. in Architecture. Following graduation he found work with E. V. Seeler, a graduate of the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Perhaps at Seeler's suggestion Thomas went to Paris to study at the Ecole also, entering in 1902 and remaining for three years in ateliers directed by Marcel Lambert and Chaussemiche. In 1905 Thomas returned to the States and set up an office with C. Wharton Churchman. In 1907 the two were joined by John Molitor and the name of the firm changed to Thomas, Churchman & Molitor. Citations in the Philadelphia Real Estate Record and Builders Guide indicate that by 1915, Thomas was working independently of the other partners, and that by 1921 he had joined two younger architects Sidney E. Martin and Donald M. Kirkpatrick in the firm of Thomas, Martin & Kirkpatrick. In 1931 when Kirkpatrick returned to France to study etching, Thomas & Martin continued the firm together. This later association lasted until 1941. During the latter days of Thomas & Martin, Walter H. Thomas took on additional responsibilities in conjunction with city government. As early as 1927 he had served as the chairman for the executive committee of the Old City Planning Commission, a position which lasted until 1929. In 1930 he was named City Architect and carried those responsibilities through 1931. In 1937 he became executive director of the Philadelphia Housing Authority, a position in which he remained through 1942. During his association with the Philadelphia Housing Authority he supervised the development of the Poplar, Glenwood and Tasker housing projects in Philadelphia. In 1944 Thomas formed yet another firm with a younger architect, Harold E. Wagoner, which was called Thomas & Wagoner, specializing in church design and worked with Walter Antrim in Thomas & Antrim, a firm specializing in institutional work. It appears that these firms existed concurrently, operating out of the same office, until Thomas's death. Although Thomas also concentrated on the construction of housing during his later years, he was overall better known as an architect of churches, primarily for the Methodist congregations. He served as president of the Church Architectural Guild of America and was advisory architect for the Methodist Church in the United States for the years 1925 to 1933. In addition to these work-related affiliations, Thomas was an active member of the AIA, which he had joined in 1907. He served as vice-president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the AIA from 1925 to 1927 and as president from 1928 to 1930. Project list: Walter Horstmann Thomas (1876-1948); www.philadelphiabuildings.org/pab/app/ar_display_projects.cfm?ArchitectId=A1385: Bonnell Residence; Client: Bonnell, Henry H.; Type: dwelling; Location: 418 W. Mermaid Ln.; Philadelphia, PA (It may be a coincidence, but there was a Bonnell family who joined the Koreshans in the late 1800's and donated the Steinway piano which is located in the Art Hall at the Koreshan State Historic Site. This Bonnell project is one of many in which Walter Horstmann Thomas was the architect.) *See Harriett and Eugene Bonnell 1910 U. S. Federal Census; State: Pennsylvania; County: Philadelphia; Town: Philadelphia; Enumeration date: 21 Apr 1910; SD: 1; ED: 842; Ward: 34; Sheet: 8; Address: Sherwood Road. Name: Walter H. Thomas; Relation to head of family: head; Sex: male; Color: white; Age: 33; Marital Status: Married; Number of years married: 3; Place of birth: Pennsylvania; Place of birth of father: Pennsylvania; Place of birth of mother: Pennsylvania; Language spoken: English; Trade or profession: Architect; General nature of work: Building; Employer or worker: worker; Out of work Apr 15: no; Weeks out of work 1909: 0; Can read and write: yes; Home owned or rented: 0wned; House or farm: house. U.S. Federal 1920 Census: State: Pennsylvania; County: Philadelphia; Incorporated Place: Philadelphia: Enumeration date: 12 & 13 January 1920; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff: Walter H. Thomas; Address: 8004 Lincoln Drive; Relation to head of family: Head; Sex: Male; Color: white; Age at last birthday: 43; Marital status: married; Can read: yes; Can write: yes; Place of birth: Pennsylvania. (Walter H. Thomas is living with his wife, two daughters, his mother (Mrs. Richard N. Thomas), and two servants)
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Myrtle E. Timanus.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Mr. and Mrs. Trauber and children.
1910 U. S. Federal Census; State: New York; Borough Bronx; New York City; Enumeration date: 28 Apr 1910; SD: 1; ED: 1454; Sheet 17; Enumerator: Harry Feinberg. Name: Raymond Trebell; Address: Simpson Street; Relation to head of family: son; Sex: male; Color: white; Ade: 2/12; Marital status: single; Place of birth: New York; Place of birth of father: Washington; Place of birth of mother: Oregon. U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1920; U. S. Federal Census; Estero, Lee, Florida; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; Enumeration Date: 5 Jan 1920; Microfilm number: 1820221-T625-221; ED: 109; Precinct 10; Outside the Koreshan Colony; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 1995: Raymond K. Trebill; Grandson of Peter Campbell; Living with Peter Campbell, Jennie L Campbell and Edith Trebill on Poinsettia Street outside the Koreshan Unity; Age 10; Single Place of birth: New York; Place of birth of father: Washington DC; Place of birth of mother: Oregon; Occupation: None. [Genealogy.com, Family Archive #110, Vol. 2 L-Z, Ed. 9, Social Security Death Index: U.S., Date of Import: 5 Mar 2003, Internal Ref. #1.112.9.120374.123] Individual: Trebell, Raymond Social Security #: 263-12-4610 Issued in: Florida Birth date: 27 Oct 1909 Death date: Feb 1974
FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: Came from Oregon; lived up the river a short distance, on the other side. Edith married a man by the name of Trabell.--Vesta Newcomb THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Edith Campbell married Trebell. An actor from New York 1910 U. S. Federal Census; State: New York; Borough Bronx; New York City; Enumeration date: 28 Apr 1910; SD: 1; ED: 1454; Sheet 17; Enumerator: Harry Feinberg. Name: Thomas Trebell; Address: Simpson Street; Relation to head of family: head; Marital status: married 1 time; Sex: male; Color: white; Age: 25; Place of birth: Washington; Place of birth of father: England; Place of birth of mother: England; Language spoken: English; Trade or profession: Clerk; General nature of work: Newspaper; Employer or worker: worker; Out of work Apr. 15: NO; Can read and write: yes; Home owned or rented: Rented; Farm or house: House.
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Evelyn Bubbett (nee Trickett) Born: 6 Oct 1854, Covington, KY; Died: 10 Oct 1935 at Estero. FOLKS WE KNEW WHILE IN THE K.U. by Marie McCready: James directed the mechanical phases of the printing and publishing operations. At the death of Dr. Teed, he became president of the K. U. until his death in 1924. Evelyn was manager of publications and treasurer of the organization. Roy lived outside. Imogene married Claude Rahn, but died and he remarried. Laurie played first violin in the orchestra while I was there; was president of the K.U. at the time of his death. 1900 U. S. Federal Census; Calumet Township; Chicago, Cook, Illinois; Film Roll No. 285; Page No. 285; SD No. 1; ED No. 986; Sheet No. 12; Ward of City: 31; Enumeration Date: 13 Jun 1900 Enumerator: Ernest E. Ellington; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, 24 May 1999 : Evelyn Bubbett; Residence: 99th Street, Dwelling 133; Relation to head of family: Boarder; Color, white; Sex, female; Month of birth: October; Year of birth: 1856; Age at last birthday: 43; Married; No. of years married: 1*; Mother of how many children: 3; No. of these children living: 3; Place of birth: Kentucky; Place of birth of father: Kentucky; Place of birth of mother: Kentucky; Occupation: None listed; Can read, yes; Can write, yes; Can speak English, yes. (*Except for 5 married residents of this dwelling, all married residents living in this dwelling listed their number of years married as 1.) U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1910; Microfilm Roll number: Fl 1910-H T624; Koreshan Unity; Enumeration Date: 25 Apr 1910; Enumerator: Walter S. Turner, Jr.; ED: 80; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, Jan 1995: Evelyn Bubbett; Sex: Female; Race: white; Age 60; Marital status: Married one time; Number of years married: 34; Mother of how many children: 3; No. of those children living: 3; Place of birth: Kentucky; Place of birth of father: West Virginia; Place of birth of mother: Kentucky; Language spoken: English; Occupation: Superintendent; Employer or worker: worker; No. of months not employed: 0; Can read and write: yes. U.S. Federal Census/Estero/Lee County/Florida--1920; Enumeration date: Jan 2, 1920; Enumerator: Henry D. Silverfriend; ED: 109; SD: 1; Fourth Precinct; Microfilm roll number: 1820221; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, December 1994: Evelyn Bubbett; Place of residence: Planetary Court; Relation to head of family: Officer's wife; Age 65; Married; Place of birth: Kentucky; Place of birth of father: WV; Place of birth of mother: Kentucky; Occupation: Manager of Printing and Publishing House. 1930 U. S. Federal Census; Estero, Lee, Florida; Precinct 12; Koreshan Unity Home; Enumeration Date: 5 May 1930; Enumerator: William Howell; ED: 36-17; SD: 6; Page: 199; Transcribed by Joyce Nelle Ratliff, January 2003: Evelyn Bubbett; Sex: female; Color or Race: white; Age at last birthday: 75; Marital condition: Widow; Age at first marriage: 16; Attended school since September 1, 1929: no; Whether able to read and write: yes; Place of birth: Kentucky; Place of birth of father: West Virginia; Place of birth of mother: Kentucky; Whether able to speak English: yes; Occupation: Publisher; Industry: Publishing house; Whether actually at work yesterday (or the last working day): yes; Veteran: no?. THE AMERICAN EAGLE; The Koreshan Story Continues--The Period of Decline by Sara Rea; Volume 79; Estero, Florida, April 1993; Page 3: The Koreshan Family; "Evelyn Bubbett was a board member and officer as well as manager of the publishing house from the inception of the Unity in 1903 until her death in 1935. Her husband, James, was also a board member from the beginning as well as the Unity's second president. Her son, Lawrence, was the fourth president, and her daughter, Imogene, worked in the publishing house until she married and moved away. The Bubbett family became students and followers of Dr. Teed early on during the Chicago years." Burial: Koreshan Unity Cemetery--lot 16; Inscription: Evelyn Bubbett--1854-Oct 1935. Notes from Evelyn Horn: Evelyn Bubbett "With her husband James A., daughter Imogene, sons Lawrence A. and Leroy they joined the Koreshan home in Chicago in 1886. Evelyn was the business head in the publishing company The Guiding Star. James did lecturing on Koreshan religion and science around the Chicago area. Sunday afternoons he lectured at the Koreshan home at 3 and 4 Cottage Grove Avenue. On week nights they rented halls around Chicago. The Bubbetts moved to Estero with the Koreshan group in 1894. Evelyn and James worked at the Guiding Star Publishing House. Both served on the Board of Directors of the Koreshan Unity. James served as chairman. Evelyn lived in the Planetary Court with the sisters. James lived downstairs in the Founders' Home. Their three children grew up in the Unity. In later years they went north to Baltimore, Chicago, and New York to find their careers. Imogene was a type setter. They all learned the printing trade and orchestra at the Unity. Imogene married Claude Rahn, her childhood friend in the Unity, in 1913 in Baltimore, Maryland. She died October 1932. Evelyn died at the age of 81 on October 9, 1935. James died August 28, 1924. Leroy and Lawrence were both printers by trade and a had a great love of music. They were always in some orchestra. Leroy died November 7, 1936. In later years Lawrence lived and worked in Miami, Florida. In the 1940's he returned to the Koreshan Unity Home in Estero. He worked at the print shop and in the gardens. On November 12, 1947, L. W. Bubbett was elected president of the Koreshan Unity and served until his death on August 5, 1960. Claude Rahn died August 18, 1976?. Evelyn Bubbett devoted her whole life's work to the Koreshan Unity. She was loved by all who knew her. She was a beautiful person, warm, caring about everyone. She was about 5 foot 7 inches tall, had fair skin, blue eyes, and light brown hair. She dressed very nice. Imogene was a lovely seamstress and sewed all her mother's clothes and shipped packages to her family of things they could not get here in the pioneer days. Imogene was the perfect wife and hostess for parties for Claude. She was an immaculate housekeeper and loved entertaining. All Koreshans who went north, always were guests of Claude and Imogene. The Rahns always came to the Koreshan Unity for their vacations, sometimes spending a winter in their cottage down the river on five acres next to the Koreshan property." FLAMING SWORD, Community Current Events by Claude J. Rahn, November 1935: "Sister Evelyn Bubbett passed away October 10, 1935, aged 81 years and 4 days, having been an invalid for more than two years. She first met and accepted KORESH as the Messianic personality of our era in the fall in 1886 when the latter arrived in Chicago, Illinois, and began the enunciation of his great universal truths. In April, 1887, she joined the Society Arch Triumphant, then recently formed, and when the first Koreshan communistic home was established in the fall of 1888 at 2 and 4 College Place, Chicago, she entered with her husband and children to remain ever afterward a faithful and devout member. For many years she was the treasurer of the Koreshan Unity, and manager of The Guiding Star Publishing House, in which capacity she was intrusted by KORESH with the editing of his writings for publication in The Flaming SWORD. She is survived by two sons, LeRoy H. Bubbett of Winnetka, Illinois, and Laurence W. Bubbett of Estero, Florida." THE AMERICAN EAGLE; Vol. 79; April 1993; Page 1: "The beautiful Planetary Court residence, so named for the seven planets then known to exist, still stands proudly in the Koreshan settlement. It was built in 1904 to house the original seven Koreshan women charged by Koresh to manage the affairs of the Unity. Each had her own bedroom, and the eighth room, on the main floor, served as their council chamber or meeting room. These Stellar Women Were : Virginia Andrews, Berthaldine Boomer, Evelyn Bubbett, Eleanor Castle, Rose Gilbert, Ella Graham and Etta Silverfriend. EVELYN BUBBETT. With the rest of her family, Evelyn joined the Koreshan Unity in Chicago in 1886. Evelyn, her husband, two sons and daughter came to Estero in 1894, and she was a distinguished Planetary Court resident until her transition in 1935. She was a devoted Unity member, serving as the business manager of The Guiding Star Publishing House and as a board member. Her husband, James, and son, Lawrence, both served as presidents of the Unity, and all three of them lie in the Koreshan Cemetery."
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: M. L. Trowbridge
THE KORESHAN UNITY MEMBERSHIP LIST by Claude J. Rahn: Don Turner