Charles E. Leffel & Caldona Jane Box

Charles and Caldona Leffel

I love this picture of my great-grandparents, Charles and Caldona Box Leffel.  It is kept it next to my computer so I can view it often.  Charles has a kind face and a twinkle in his eye.  Both Charles and Caldona died way before I was born but I wished I had known them.

Grandma Mabel Leffel Baldwin called her father Charles Leffel, "Papa". She told me that "Her Papa" was the kindest, sweetest, most gentle man she had ever known. She felt that he would do anything to make her and the rest of his children happy. Grandma Mabel was the youngest of nine children born to Charles and Caldona Leffel.  The grandchildren remember the Leffel family as a "happy people".  They were nice, friendly, always laughing and joking.

But, Charles' life was not always easy or happy.  He experienced a lot of sorrow and grief in his younger life.  Charles was born in Ohio and moved with his family to the Texas frontier as a young boy of seven.  In 1862, when Charles was only eleven years old, his father was murdered by a Confederate mob in what is called the Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas.  According to his mother, Susan Leffel, the confederate vigilantes kept attacking and harassing the Leffel family for many years after the Civil War.  In 1869, Charles' mother, Susan Leffel, wrote a letter to the Governor of Texas describing their sad experiences.  Despite the challenges and hardships of his younger life, Charles was always a gentle, kind man and a man of deep faith.

In May 1869, Charles married his first wife, a young widow named Sarah Ann Burkham Chapman.  Sarah died just a year later in 1870 after giving birth to their first child; a son, they named David after Charles' deceased father.  Charles was left a widower with a small son to raise alone for the next five years until he married again. 

Child of Charles and Sarah Ann Leffel:

(1) David Benjamin Leffel (1871-1954)  md (1) Hattie Mae Sheets, 1 child; (2) Ella McDonald, 2 children;

On 18 November 1875, Charles married Caldona Jane Box in Dallas, Texas. They had a large family of nine children - our Grandma Baldwin is the youngest.  

Children of Charles and Caldona Leffel:

(1) Rowena Evalyn "Eva" Leffel (1876-1928) md 1) Willis E Sheets, 9 children; 2) Frank W Dellbrugge, 4 children;  
(2) Mary Susan Leffel (1878-1964) md 1) John R Cotter, 8 children, 2) George G Morris, 3) George Johnson; 
(3)Anna Eufamie Leffel (1880-1965) md George R Willhoit, 8 children;
(4) Lillie Catherine Leffel (1881-1968) md Thomas W McDonald, 4 children; 
(5) Charles Wesley Leffel (1882-1934) md Minnie V McDonald, 6 children; 
(6) Layne Lemuel Leffel (1890-1957) md Mabel E Williams, 6 children; 
(7) Alice Oberia Leffel (1894-1922) md Fred Lossing, 5 children; 
(8) Kerby William Leffel (1897-1961) md Flora May Clark, 6 children; 
(9) Mabel Edna Leffel (1900-1995) md 1) Jess W Baldwin, 14 children, 2) Ernest Martin.

Charles and Caldona Leffel
Probably taken in the 1890's in Texas

The Charles and Caldona Leffel family lived in Texas until moving to Oklahoma in 1901. Grandma Mabel Baldwin, the youngest of the children, said she was born (1900) in True, Young County, Texas.  Prior to that, the family lived in Hood County, Texas. Once in Oklahoma, the Leffel family lived near Rush Springs, maybe closer to Rocky Ford Crossing.  The family is included in a photo of the Rocky Ford Crossing Sunday School of 1904.  To view photo, click here.

Charles was a deeply religious man and would often preach at their church meetings. He told his children to call him "Papa" because he felt the name "Father" was reserved for only one person -- Our "Father in Heaven".

Caldona, Susan, and Charles

I love the way Grandpa Charles is looking at his wife, Caldona, and daughter, Susan. You can tell he loves his family by the tender look on his face.

Caldona and Charles

Charles died on June 4, 1919 at the age of 68 years.  His death certificate states he died of "Neuresthema and Pyrea" caused by Influenza.  The funeral home record simply states Influenza as the cause of death.  Neurasthenia was an  overused and ill-defined term used by doctors in the 19th and early 20th centuries.  It is no longer recognized by the medical profession but may have referred to something like present day chronic fatigue syndrome.  Pyrea is commonly referred to as periodontitis.  Neither of these are known to cause death,  but the death certificate states that Influenza was the contributory cause.  So, Charles most likely died of the Spanish Flu with was claiming many lives in the area during 1918-1919.

Charles E Leffel - Death Certificate

Death caused by neuresthema and pyrea;

contributing cause was Influenza

Charles E Leffel 

Funeral Record

Death caused by Influenza

Caldona died almost 7 years later on February 12, 1926.  She was 66 years old at the time of her passing.  Her death certificate states she died of cancer of the pancreas with gall stones.  

Caldona Jane Leffel

Death Certificate

Both Charles and Caldona were buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery in Chickasha, Oklahoma.  Many other family members were also buried in the Rose Hill Cemetery.

Charles and Caldona Leffel Headstone
Rose Hill Cemetery, Chickasha, OK

Additional photos of Charles and/or Caldona Leffel:

Caldona Jane Box Leffel

Charles and Caldona Leffel Photo 

Charles and Caldona Leffel Photo Restoration 

Rocky Ford Sunday School 1904