Leroy E Rhoades

August, 2011;  From Michael Rhoades, son of Mildred Lou (Doman) and Leroy E Rhoades.  Sarah's father was Nicholas "NICK" Doman.

Mildred was 1st married to Charles O Brown (Sr.) and they had a son Charles O Brown, Jr. in 1914.  Mildred divorced Charles (Sr) but it is believed he then died in WWI.  Mildred remarried to Nicholas Doman (shortened from Domancich of the Isle of Brac, Croatia in the Adriatic Sea above the mainland of Italy).  Nicholas and Mildred had 2 daughters, Sarah Lou and Pat (Palmena).

   During WWII when Sarah and Leroy married, he was in the AAC at Merced Army Air Field, CA.  Since it was not long after Sarah's brother Charles O Brown, Jr. was KIA, the wedding was a quiet one.  

 My mothers father name was Nicholas ( Nick) Domancich shortened to Doman.   The only thing I really know is he was from the island of Brac and came to the United States with a sister.  I lived in Dallas for 4 years in the 80's. It happened that I worked with a Diane Doman. We got to talking and her grandfather came from the island of Brac,  shortened is name from Domancich and came to United States with a brother,  brother went to california and died young.  We always wondered if we were related,  but her father and grandfather had already passed.  My Mom didn't know much except she thought he came to America with a sister.  He brother was my twin.  Have lost track of her over the years.  Thanks Michael. 

Hi Barbi,
      It was great to read some of my families history.  I'm Michael Rhoades.  My uncle was Charles Smith.  My mom was Sarah Lou Rhoades (Doman).  She loved her brother very much and was devastated by his death.  I knew he died in world war II,  was shot down over Italy.   Had been married/divorced.  My Mom had told me he had been in the insurance business before the war and that when he was killed the company put a rememberance plaque on the building in San Francisco.  Haven't been able to locate.  My sister Nicole Bengiveno has visited his grave.  I also have a cousin named after him Orville Grantham,  mother is Pam Gratham.  She's the only elder left.  My grandmother Mildred lived with her until her death at 99.   Some of the family history I knew and some I've been putting together.   My grandmother Mildred told me she can to cailfornia in a wagon train.  Her only brother was thrown by a horse and broke is neck and died at a young age.  They came from Wyomming where they had one of the largest sheep ranches.  We still have the mineral rights in the family.  There was a rumor that my mom's grandfather was really her grandfathers brother,  but it looks like he may have worked for them.  I'm not sure why my Uncle lived with the grandparents in santa cruz,  I remember my mom saying he did for a while.  My mothers father died when she was seven,  massive heart attach,  very young,   in his 30's.  I'd love to trace his history,  but he came from Yugoslovia, and don't know very much.   It was also interesting to here that Charles father died in world war I,  we were told my grandmother divorced him.  Anyway,  thanks so much for the info,         Michael Lee Rhoades

In the 1920 Census, Mildred (Sarah's Mother) is listed as widowed... although divorced, it is believed that Charles Orville Brown (Sr) died in WW I.