Lela Belle (Washburn) Ammon & Washburn Family

Lela Belle (Washburn) Ammon. Lela was my mother's Florence Carol (Ammon) Curfman's paternal grandmother.

Lela Belle Washburn was born on August 21, 1893, in Thompson, Pennsylvania.

Lela probably with daughter Thelma

Her father was Ellery Washburn and her mother was Eva Dowd. Ellery died in 1899 when Lela was only 6.

Her father, Ellery died of something called Bright's disease. Bright's disease is an outdated term that was historically used to refer to a group of kidney disorders, now often categorized under nephritis or nephropathy. It was named after the British physician Richard Bright, who made significant contributions to the understanding of kidney diseases in the 19th century. The term generally referred to conditions that caused inflammation or damage to the kidneys and could lead to kidney failure. The specific causes were not well understood at the time, but they were later identified as being related to a variety of kidney disorders, including glomerulonephritis and nephrotic syndrome.

In the late 19th century, the specific causes of Bright's disease were not well understood, but some possible contributing factors included:

• Infections – Conditions like streptococcal infections, which could lead to post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis.

• Chronic kidney disease – Long-term conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or autoimmune diseases could lead to kidney damage.

• Toxins and poisons – Certain medications or toxins could harm the kidneys.

• Genetic predisposition – Some forms of kidney disease could be hereditary.

Newspaper clipping from 1897 on Ellery's death

Eva remarried in 1900 to a man named Spencer Luce. Lela had several brothers and sisters.

Lela Belle is in the back left of the photo. Her husband Fred Otto Ammon is in the back right. In the back middle is her sister Winifried. The front middle couple is believed to be Eva (Dowd) Washburn Luce and second husband Spencer Luce. The other two are Lela's brother (probably Roscoe) and possibly Spencer's daughter from another marriage.

Lela with brother Harold Washburn

Believed to be Lela's brother Roscoe and sister Winifred.

Winifried and Lela in the middle. On right is probably her brother Harold.

Lela in middle with sister Winifred Pearl on the right.

Lela married Fred Otto Ammon on June 30, 1913, in Pennsylvania. They had two children during their marriage, Keith Otto and Thelma.

Lela and Fred on their wedding day.

Lela and Fred a few years into their marriage.

Fred Otto Ammon with wife Lela Belle Washburn Ammon on right side and middle back is Fred's sister Edna.

Fred Otto, far left, appears to have been close friends with Lela's siblings. Third from left is Roscoe.

Lela and Fred Otto had two children together, Keith Otto Ammon and Thelma.

Fred Ammon and Lela Belle with daughter Thelma and son Keith. Note Lela's hairstyle and the matching haircuts of Keith and Thelma.

Second from back left is Fred Ammon with Roscoe Washburn to the right, standing behind sister Cora. Front row, middle is Keith Ammon (Lela and Fred's son) and sister Thelma is front left.

Reunions with the Washburns seem to have been a frequent occurrence. Back middle with dark hair is Keith Ammon, with his father Fred to the left and far left is Roscoe Washburn. Middle left is Cora Washburn with Lela in the middle of the photo and middle far right is Thelma Ammon.

Even after Keith Ammon married Florence Moser and had children, they still visited the Washburns. Front right is son Dickie Ammon with his mother Florence behind him and beside her is Lela Washburn Ammon. Keith Ammon is middle of photo with son Freddie to the left and behind Freddie is grandfather Fred Ammon. Back left, is Roscoe Washburn. My mother, Carol Ammon is in front of her brother Freddie.

Fred and Lela remained close to their children, Keith and Thelma, and had strong bonds with their grandchildren, Linda, Carol, Freddie and Dickie. This picture was taken shortly after Freddie had died.

Keith, son Freddie, Lela and Fred Ammon

Lela's son Keith on his wedding day with wife Florence Moser. On right side are Florence's brother Herman Moser and Keith's sister Thelma.

Lela appears to have stayed close to her siblings all her life.

Fred Ammon is back right. Front right is Roscoe. His wife is next to him holding the hand of Lela Belle. Possibly Lela's brother Harold behind her with his wife.

Lela died on May 29, 1959, at the age of 65.

Note written to Keith and Thelma from their father Fred about the passing of Lela, who died after 7 strokes.

The Washburn family comes to Pennsylvania in the late 1700s early 1800s via Waller Washburn. See description of him below.

Waller's father, Joseph Washburn is the earliest known Washburn in the line. He was born in Connecticut in 1750.