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As with many families, an undertaking of a family tree is an amazing endevaor. This page is no different. Until recently, the Eby family tree could only be traced back to Anna/Annie/Anne Henrietta Dahlke Eby (born 3/12/1872 in Illinois, died Jan. 1965 - with Harry Eby, later marrying Newt G. King) and Ira and Martha French. The French family couple are Gary's Great-Great Grandparents (parents of Mary Mae "Maize" Eby). Please check out the "French Family Connecton." The page is combination of orally passed on stories and information found on the Internet. All together, there are now over 1400 names in this database.
Leslie Eby (born 2/19/1888 died 7/30/1958) married Mary Mae French born 11/16/1889 died 1/23/70), producing three children: Deane Marie (born 1909 died 1934), Caroll (1912, died after 13 days), and Ira (born 5/31/1920, died 6/2/1968). Ira Eby was the patriarch of the current family line.
At the age of 16, Ira was offered a music scholarship to Juliards Music School in New York. Grandpa remained in the midwest and became a member of the Little Don Engstrom Red Rhytmn Band. Ira wed Betty Snider-Mathis of Columbus, GA on 9/6/42. The couple were blessed with three children: Ivan, Nita, and Lee. Shortly after Ivan was born, Ira received a discharge from the military. When out of the military, Ira was able to continue to pursue his career in music. Grandpa Ira would only live to see the birth of one grandchild (Shelly) as he lost a battle with colon cancer at the age of 47.
Ivan, who now lives in Montana, is the father of Gary and Ginger. Nita, a resident of Holdrege, is the mother of Shelly, Christie, and Angela. Lee, who lives near St. Paul, NE, is the father of Sarah, Kevin, Phillip, and Hannah (who now live in Texas).
The information that the Ira's grandchildren have heard over the years has been wide and varied, so this family history is a work in progress. One such story is that a aunt on either Grandpa or Grandma Eby's side of the family married a Cody, which was a relative of Buffalo Bill Cody. Another tid bit from the past is that another relative (Merle Estella Butcher - great great grandfather Ira French's grand daughter from his first wife) married "Pappy" W. Lee O'Daniels (1890-1969) who owned a flour company, was part of a Western Swing Band - Light Crust Doughboys, and was the governor of Texas.
As the opportunity presents itself, Gary will continue to sit down with Grandma Betty to gain a better understanding of this history. It is also a strong wish of Gary's that he can connect both with his father and Aunt Nita to garner their memories. Please bare with Gary and other cousins as this construction continues.
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