top of page

Welcome — this is where I’m gathering and preserving the stories, photos, and history of the Newell family, so they’re not lost with time.”

What you’ll find here (Table of Contents preview)

  • Start Here (how this project is organized)

  • Family Tree Overview (Newell branches + key connections)

  • Dad — Emmett Newell (his life, photos, stories)

  • Grandpa & Earlier Generations (where we came from)

  • Mom — Cleota’s Stories (her memories + writings)

  • Letters, Diaries & Recordings (family documents preserved)

  • Photo Albums (grouped by people, places, and years)

  • Places & Maps (Missouri, Idaho, Oregon, Hawaii, etc.)

  • Stories Worth Keeping (the ones we tell over and over)

The Tumbleweed Fence (How Todd & Manny Met Their Wives)

I was asking Mom about lineage and relationships — Manny was Grandpa Todd Newell’s brother.

Manny married Grace (Gracie), and Grandpa Todd married Annie.

Mom reminded me of this important detail about Grace:

Grace was raised by Grandma Newell’s parents. Grandma was an only child. Grace’s parents were killed when she was just a little girl, and Grandma’s parents raised Grace along with Grandma — so they were the only little girls together.

Then Mom remembered the story about how Todd and Manny first met them:

The fence around their place was made of tumbleweeds.

When Grandpa Todd and Manny decided to check them out, they rode over and showed off by jumping over the tumbleweeds with their horses.

At first, Manny dated Grandma and Grandpa dated Grace. But after a few dates… they switched.

Mom said Grandpa always liked pretty women. He once told her, “I think women are prettier than they used to be.”

Mom also said Grandpa had a lot of fun conversations with her — and some were hilarious.

Recorded from conversation with Mom — Feb 2026

Tags: Todd Newell • Manny Newell • Annie • Grace/Gracie • family stories • courtship story • oral history

bottom of page