Tragedy Strikes the Family

On Saturday September 13, 1935 tragedy struck the Wilson-Thompson families just as relatives were gathering for the 45th family reunion at the Opdyke and Finney Farm in Ivyland Bucks County PA. Six members from the Thompson side of the family were killed when their sedan was struck by a train at an unguarded crossing near Churchville PA. The family members killed were:

• Mrs. Ella Davis Johnson Gaul, age 70

• Mr. George Gaul

• Mrs. Jennie Barkley Johnson Countryman, age 41

• Mrs. Mable D. Johnson Schoenfeldt, age 49

• Mr. Otto J. Schoenfeldt

• Miss Frances Gaul Schoenfeldt, age 28

A portion of the minutes from the family reunion on that day were as follows (courtesy of 8th generation Ellen Thompson Broxmeyer’s meticulous collection of reunion minutes):

“The general spirit of good fellowship was there, but such a horrible accident involving the death of five members (actually six) of the clan when on the way to the reunion, cast its effect on all who had been informed about it. It was thought best not to make the knowledge general because of several older members who were present. Sec. Elizabeth T. Wallace”