Chalker, Norton, Viets families reunite for 147th family gathering

LEAVITTSBURG -- Deborah Vickers Wallace, who is a registered nurse in Kansas City, said she did not mind taking the 14-hour drive from that state to spend this week with family who gathered in Leavittsburg for the 147th annual Chalker, Norton, Viets family reunion.

Wallace said it was her mother, Nancy Vickers of Howland, one of the organizers of the family reunion, who was excited that she was attending,

More than 35 members of the family gathered at the homestead of Mark Martindale off Diehl South Road for a day of reminiscing, games, a raffle, food and sharing of updates from the families.

Vickers, who is a descendant of the Norton family, said the event always gives prizes for the youngest and oldest who attend and also the family member who traveled the farthest to get there.

"It was my daughter who won for the farthest drive and received a gas card," Vickers said.

She said it was especially nice for her that her daughter was able to attend.

"When she called me and told me she wanted to come this summer to Ohio, I told her this was the weekend to come back," Vickers said.

"It is an honor to be here and be able to see family I hardly get to see. I wanted to be here to support my mother for all that she and others do to plan these reunions. I try to get back for these about 50% of the time when they are held. It was a long drive, but it was worth it," Wallace said.

She said she grew up in Warren and remembers when she was young the reunions with the different games and activities.

She said the families hold meetings where they add marriages, births and deaths to the genealogy record books.

Vickers said in 2020, because of the coronavirus pandemic, there was no reunion and in 2025, because of unforeseeable circumstances, the event did not take place.

"According to the record books, those were the only two years the family did not get together," she said of the annual event the first weekend in August.

She said many of the Chalker, Viets and Norton families are from Southington.

"When I was a kid my family always went to these reunions. We never missed any. My husband died in 1995 and I began to attend more reunions and served on the committee to help with planning them," Vickers said.

She said a business meeting is held to discuss plans for the next year.

"For me and the others this is a family tradition we look forward to. James Chalker in Southington was the founder in 1887. It's nice when a few family members who haven't been here in the past are able to attend and share their relationship to which family," Vickers said.

She said the reunions have been held at different locations, including Paradise Lake and Campgrounds, American Legion Post in Southington, and different family members' homes.

Vickers said Blaine and Betty Chalker of Southington were the two who worked to get the reunions planned every year for 40 to 50 years.

Bruce and Penny Lambe of Warren said they were glad to be able to spend time with relatives they have not seen.

Shirley Cline of Garrettsville, 72, was among the oldest members.

"My grandmother, Hazel Chalker Cline, used to come to these all the time and was always the oldest member. She lived to be 100 and came to these as many times as she could," Cline said.

She said she met some new people and remembered Penny Lambe.

"Penny and I are related and she mentioned it was being held. I told her I would go if she would go so I am here. I didn't want to go alone," Cline said.

"For me it is nice to get to meet family I am related to through marriage, I usually try to get back but my schedule is crazy. I know there is a lot of eating and socializing at these reunions," said Leslie Vickers of Howland.

Maxine McGaughy of Warren said she is a descendant of the Norton family.

"I love these reunions. I try to make it every year so I can see people I don't get to see that often. I always like to see the family members and meet anyone new who attends or who I haven't seen. I wish more relatives were able to attend," McGaughy said.

Vickers said winning the youngest award was 1-month-old Iris Eaken, daughter of Davis and Ethel Eaken of Warren.

Vickers said the reunion began with descendants of the first pioneers to settle in Southington, who wanted each year to honor their heritage with a family day of fun, games and a picnic.

The first pioneers were David Viets; Luke Viets and his wife, Hannah; James Chalker and his wife, Mercy and their 2-year-old son Orrin; Roderick Norton and his 7-year-old brother, Horace. Mercy, Hannah, Roderick and Horace were all siblings.

The pioneers left Connecticut in the spring and after a six-week journey in a covered wagon and an ox-cart they arrived in Bollestown, June 1805, a vast wilderness. With the first election on June 12, 1817, the citizens voted to change the name of the location to Southington.

Vickers said they always make sure to have children's activities which include a water slide on the lawn, crafts, cornhole games,

"For all of us this is a day we remember all descendants and families of the first settlers and spend a day celebrating," Vickers said.