Donald Preston Courtsal Letters

To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas

From Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Donald P. Courtsal

USCGC Humboldt, Boston 13, Massachusetts

November 13, 1953

Dear Mrs. Chase,

I received your letter a few days ago and would like to take this opportunity to accept your invitation to visit you and Mr. Chase during the latter part of the Christmas holidays.  Frances has told me so much about you and your lovely home that I am quite thrilled at the prospect of being able to be with you.  

I have been looking forward to meeting you and Mr. Chase for some time.  In view of the decision that Frances and I made last week, this has assumed even greater importance.  Neither of us would dream of doing anything of an official nature without our meeting first.  

I would much prefer to have been able to meet you before asking Frances to marry me, but the great distance separating us, and the fact that the service doesn’t allow me very many long periods of free time, made this seem rather impractical.  The thought of waiting longer just didn’t appear to be realistic.  I sincerely hope you will be able to understand this because your opinions are of great importance to both of us.

I have always enjoyed visiting new places and seeing new things and I’m sure this trip will provide some wonderful opportunities to do both.  The thought of seeing the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers and of gazing upon land that is reasonably level and not strewn with boulders of all shapes and sizes, is wonderful.  The Plaza Christmas lights sound like something I would expect to find in a fairy land.  Frances has described the Art Museum and the Scout and many other exciting things and I can hardly wait to see them.  There was an article in
“Holiday” magazine recently about Missouri in general.  I haven’t been able to read it thoroughly as yet, but by browsing through it, I have gotten the impression that that part of the Mid-west is really quite an interesting place.

I hope you will forgive my tardiness in replying to your letter and I want to thank you very much for extending such a kind invitation.

Sincerely,

Donald Courtsal

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To Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas

From Donald P. Courtsal

January 4, 1957

Dear Mom and Dad,

Santa made his annual stop here the other day.  In fact, I believe he had to make a special trip to bring us so many nice things.  

As you can see, I have much use for the stationery and think it is very attractive….yellow sweater…Field Guide to the Birds…  You were very kind to me at Christmas time and all of the gifts were things that I badly wanted.  I am very appreciative of your thoughtfulness.

When my birthday rolled around a few days after Christmas, I found that you had again filled a great need.  My traveling case will fill a hole in my luggage as my old one is just about worn out.  Again, thank you very much.

Fras got me a recorder (an end-blown flute) for Christmas and I have embarked on a musical career.  Ever since I was a failure on the violin, I have wanted some instrument that would be reasonably easy to master.  

Thanks again for all the nice things and I will try to write again soon.

Love, Dad

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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas

From Donald P. Courtsal, P.O. Box 97, Greenbush, MA

March 22, 1957, Friday

Dear Mother and Dad Chase,

We were very glad to receive your card yesterday saying that Dad felt well enough to go back to work. 

I hope this will be a permanent cure this time.

Spring is finally beginning to manifest itself here.  When I walk down the street in the morning, the trees

are just full of birds and we saw a couple of robins a week or two ago.  It snowed about four inches on

Wednesday, but only traces of it are left now.

As Fras may have told you, I have been transferred from the Nuclear Power branch back to the

Preliminary Design Group.  The work in this new group is much more to my liking and holds more

future, for me at least.

We saw an excellent movie at the Scituate Playhouse the other evening.  It was entitled “Lust of Life”

and was about the life of the painter Van Gogh.  Among the paintings shown was at least one that is in

the museum at Kansas City.  This film was interesting not only to art lovers, but simply as a

dramatic creation.

The flash attachment for Fras’ camera arrived here a few days ago.  Thank you very much for sending it.

  Fras says to forget the monopoly set.  Thanks for your efforts here also.

A small point that may be of interest;  Randall Thompson is now chairman of the Music Department at

Harvard.

Last weekend we went beachcombing on a beach near us.  As usual, we brought home a great pile of

miscellaneous junk.  Among this material was what we thought was a real prize.  It looked like an old,

wave-worn, boom support for a boat.  Unfortunately, more careful examination at home revealed that it

was only an old shovel handle.

I’m enclosing a couple of items;  a bit of silver from Fras and some pictures of our dog.

Hope this finds you both well,  

Love from here,  Don

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Don Courtsal and Spray, January 1957

Spray, January 1957

Frances and Don Courtsal on the ferry "Nobska" to Nanctucket for a SNAME meeting, Summer 1957

Launching of the Mayflower II shallop, Plymouth, Mass, March 16, 1957

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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas

From Donald P. Courtsal, P.O. Box 97, Greenbush, MA

January 5, 1958

Dear Mother and Dad Chase,

We are settling down to the routine of the new year after spending a very pleasant holiday season.  I do not believe, however, that this will be a very routine year by any means.

We received many fine presents this year and I would like to thank you for your thoughtfulness and generosity…

Everything is going well with Fras.  The doctor says that thus far, she couldn’t be more normal.

Thank you again for everything.

Love, 

Don

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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas

From Donald P. Courtsal, P.O. Box 97, Greenbush, MA

January 2, 1959

Dear Mother and Dad Chase,

Two very pleasant holidays have passed very quickly for us.  The baby had a slight

cold before Christmas, but was pretty well recovered by Christmas day.

The cumberband and bow tie are perfect.  I have to start getting a formal outfit together

pretty soon and these, combined with the stud set you gave me earlier, make an excellent

beginning.  I like the black watch plaid very much and would not consider getting a solid

color in place of it.

Our beer will be even more inviting when served in those beautiful mugs you gave

me for my birthday.  I will enjoy both my Christmas and birthday presents very

much and am most appreciative.

Lyle has appointed me to tell you that he had a very wonderful Christmas too. 

He has already been rolling around in the play pen with his piggy train and

today I came home to find him in a wonderful pair of yellow overalls. 

Both the shirts and the overalls come at an excellent time because he is bursting

out of his older clothes.  Thank you very much for the nice presents

– from Lyle  (his mark)

We didn’t do anything on Christmas Day, but had some people over for eggnog

on Christmas Eve.  A very informal affair, but very pleasant.

Thank you again,

Love, Don

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To Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Chase

5528 Tahoe Lane, Kansas City 3, Kansas

From Donald P. Courtsal, P.O. Box 97, Greenbush, MA

October 15, 1959

Dear Mother and Dad Chase,

I have quite a bit of news for you this time.  First, a progress report on Lyle.

He has been getting teeth at a phenomenal rate and now has all of the teeth 

that a child of his age should have.  He has started to walk and, as usual, is doing a 

good job of it.  He doesn’t seem to be things as soon as other children, but he does

them very well when he gets to it.  He has a few words that he says and seems to

understand the meaning of.  Nothing very significant in that respect, however.

Our proposed new house is still progressing slowly.  We have signed an agreement to buy a half acre in the Egypt area of Scituate, and a sketch of the house is now being made.  The last major hurdle is, of course, the obtaining of a mortgage and this won’t be dealt with until the house plans and specifications are complete.  So, there is probably a month or more of waiting;  before we will know whether or not we will be able to have what we want.  

I have finished all the woodwork on the sofa and have applied the finish.  Fras is

working on the upholstery now so that in a month or two that project will be completed.

This winter I intend to build most of an eleven-foot sailing dinghy or pram.  It will be a light boat so that we can carry it around on top of the car.  I hope it will not take more

than a year to do the entire job.

Fras took on a number of jobs that all seemed to require a lot of effort from her during this month.  She was responsible for two meetings of the Scituate League of Women Voters on water resources during this month.  She is charge of a program for Wellesley,

 in this area, whereby each of the alumni is called on.  The purpose of this campaign is, 

of course, to encourage more and bigger contributions to Wellesley.  Finally we had to

assist with a supper last week for a group that we belong to and are only slightly active 

in.  In addition, we are both doing a lot of reading on house details since the specifications for the house will have to be prepared during the next few weeks.

We had some sad news the other day.  Mr. Farmer, Mikey’s father, died of a heart

attack on Sept. 10.  He had suffered a mild one that wasn’t even diagnosed as such 

immediately.  Later, he seemed to be doing quite well when he died suddenly, in the hospital, of a more severe attack.

Mary Jane Wade, Fras’ friend from the North shore, is to be married.  Her fiance’

is named Lyell Sanders and he is from Peoria, Illinois.  At present he is an 

Assistant Professor of Applied Mathematics at Harvard.  They plan to be married 

next April.

Mary Ann and Ross Heald are adopting another little girl.  She is six months old and they have named her Martha.  As you can well imagine, they are very pleased.

I appreciate the handkerchiefs you sent me.  My supply is rather low and these are very attractive additions.  Fras will have a little more time soon and will write again then.

Love from us here,

Don

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Family Tree for Donald Preston Courtsal (1825 - 1999)

 Family Tree for Donald Preston Courtsal

His father, Frederick Joseph Courtsal, married his mother, Viola Velmer Schiffel, on July 29, 1922.  They lived at 15 Dayton Street in New Haven, Connecticut (CT) in 1926.

By 1940, they lived on Hill Street in Branford, CT after moving there around 1930.

They had 2 children, Frederick Ralph Schiffel Courtsal and Donald Preston Courtsal.

When their sons had left home, Fred and Viola moved to Bethany, near New Haven, CT.

His Father, Frederick Joseph Courtsal, and his Relatives:

Frederick J. Courtsal was born on March 3, 1892 in Northampton, Massachusetts.

When Frederick served in World War I, he met Henry Schiffel, who introduced him to his sister, Viola.  She lived in White Plains, NY, when they met.  Fred married Viola Velmer Schiffel on July 29, 1922

They had 2 children, Frederick Ralph Courtsal (May 20, 1923 - October 16, 1999) and Donald Preston Courtsal (born on December 30, 1929)

Frederick died of congestive heart failure on August 5, 1984 and is buried at Beaverdale Memorial Park in Hamden, CT.

Frederick J. Courtsal at Camp Jackson in South Carolina in 1918

Viola S. Schiffel in Fred's uniform in 1919

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Frederick J. Courtsal’s father was Frederick “Alfred” Coursol Jr.  (or Coursal or Coursel or Coeursol).  He was born in 1868 in Canada.  His parents were Alfred Coursol (1843 - 1913) and Sophia Breault (Coursol) (1848 - 1915).  

Fred Coursol Jr. married Emma Lacrois on November 9, 1891 in Northampton, Mass.  

Fred was a stone cutter, and later died of pulmonary TB in 1912.  

Frederick A. Coursol Jr. with wife Emma are standing;  Frederick J. Courtsal and Emma's brother are seated; photo around 1900

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Frederick J. Courtsal’s mother was Emma La Croix 

(also spelled Lacrois, Lacroix and Lacross)

She was born in 1870 in Hatfield, Massachusetts.

Emma was the child of Joseph Lacross and Julia Brouillette, who were both Canadian. There were both born in 1847.

After her first husband died in 1912, she remarried Russel A. Preston (who was born in 1863 and died on May 7, 1944).  One source lists her name as Emma Courtsill Preston, living in Westville, CT.  She died in 1944.

Emma (Coursol) Preston in 1920

Frederick J. Courtsal in 1920

Russel and Emma Preston in 1923

His Mother,  Viola Schiffel and her Relatives:

Viola Velmer Schiffel was born November 2, 1894 in Valhalla, NY.  She was the child of Harry G. Schiffel and Elizabeth Shutte.  In 1900, they lived at 1900 Mount Pleasant in Westchester, NY.  She had 9 other siblings, as listed below:

A sister,  Bertha, who married Harold (Hal)l Kreider of the Country Club Apartments in 

Hartsdale, NY.  They married later in life and had no children.

A sister Carrie, who never married.  She was a visiting nurse.

A brother Henry J. (who married Edna).  He was born May 31, 1898 and died July 1, 1959. He worked as a plumber and had several sons, including Arthur Henry Schiffel (born in 1922) and Kenneth J. Schiffel (born in 1926).   Edna J. Schiffel was born in1896.  In 1940, Edna’s father (Frederick Hausrath) also lived with them.

A brother Ralph W. (who married Marie Bourne on August 30, 1930 in New Haven).  They had no children.  Marie was born in 1906 and died on September 27, 1968 in Port Chester, NY.  Ralph W. Shiffel was born April 5, 1902 and died January 24, 1949 on a New Haven train as it arrived at Grand Central Station.  He was born in Valhalla and went to Mount Vernon High School.  Completed college at Baldwin Wallace University in Ohio.  He worked in the cosmetics industry in advertising.  He lived at 26 Meade Place in Rye, NY when he died.

A sister, Lilly, who became Mrs. Pietschker of 85 Cloverdale Ave,  White Plains, NY.

A sister, Hattie, who became Mrs. Eldon M. Pietschker of 88 Cloverdale Ave, White Plains, NY.  They had no children.

A sister, Ida Shiffel of 129 Trenton Ave, White Plains, NY.   She never married and lived with their mother,  Elizabeth.

A sister,  Mable, who became Mrs. Clifton Brill of Pawling.  They had two children, including Bertha Brill.

A son, Herbert, was born in 1891 and died in 1941 of rheumatic fever.

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Viola married Frederick Courtsal on July 29, 1922 and had 2 sons, Frederick Ralph Courtsal and Donald Preston Courtsal.

She died on October 26, 1969 of breast cancer.  She is buried at Beaverdale Memorial Park in Hamden, Connecticut.

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Elizabeth Shutte, Viola’s mother,  was born in Germany in November 1861 and came to the United States in 1867.   She married Harry Schiffel in 1880 and lived at 129 Trenton Avenue,  White Plains, NY.  They had 10 children together.

Elizabeth Shutte Schiffel with daughter Viola S. Courtsal in the mid-1930s

Elizabeth Shutte Schiffel with Fred R. S. Courtsal, Viola Courtsal, Carrie Schiffel and Donald Courtsal in 1939

Elizabeth’s father was John Shutte, who was born in June 1825 and emigrated from Germany to the United States.

Elizabeth’s mother was Dorothy Shutte, who was born in September 1837 and emigrated from Germany to the United States.  Elizabeth was one of Dorothy’s nine children.

Harry G. Schiffel, Viola’s father,  was born in Germany in November 1856 and emigrated to the United States in 1870.  As noted above, he married Elizabeth in 1880 and had 10 children.