We left off with Fay&Gertie Miller on the Smith Genealogy page. We continue with the Fay& Gertie Miller page and the completion of the George B. Smith family record.
The 1880 census for Clifton Twp showed the following children, Henrietta Age 9, Charles, age 6, and Jane, age 4. the children, Edward, Pauline "Polly", and Fayette, were born at a later date. All born in Clifton Twp.
The Merriman conection. The 1880 census for Clifton Twp. showed James Merriman, age 30, Frances(wife), age 21, and Harry(son), age 2. It is most likely that James and Sophronia were brother and sister. Which mean Fay Miller and Harry Merriman were first cousins. Fay was 8 years younger than Harry.As
Edward served in the Civil War.
Died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Hunter(Pauline "Polly" Miller).
As we saw in on the Edward Miller record, Fay had a sister Pauline, who became known throughout the relationship as “Aunt Polly.
Polly married William “Bill” Hunter. Bill worked as a section hand on the local line of the railroad that served River Falls. According to the U.S. Census-1920-City of River Falls, Bill was previously married to a woman had been previously married to a man named Strout. The Strouts had two daughters that then became step-daughters to Bill.
U.S. Census-1920-City of River Falls
William Hunter age 39
Pauline (wife) 39
Burle Strout (step-dau.) 17
After Bill married Polly they had a daughter named Gretchen. Their home was located very close to the River Falls Electric power plant.
Gretchen went through grades 1-12 in River Falls. As a child I remember teasing her calling her “fatty-fatty two by four, can’t get through the kitchen door,”which was put in my head by cousin Jean Miller. Gretchen didn’t take that abuse very kindly, but I do recall she was a very pleasant and kindly person. I remember cousin Jean Miller and I were invited to Gretchen’s birthday party where I tasted Aunt Polly’s homemade chocolate pudding—it was pure ambrosia. Gretchen like her mother Polly were very religious. They both were active members of the local Apostolic (Pentecostal) church. She married and the lived in Montana, but died at the young age of
Fay Miller's sister Viola Etta Miller, married Henry L. Beardsley on 26 Feb. 1901 in Pierce County. The Beardsley family raised their family on a farm about two miles south of River Falls on the road to Ellsworth.
Fay’s sister June “Junie” Miller married a man named Crandall. They moved to California where Crandall became a man of wealth, but the source of this wealth is unknown.
Fay’s brother Edward moved to Oregon where he raised his family. Shortly after Fay & Gertie were married they went out to Oregon and were living with Edward’s family when their first child Elery was born. Fay, Gertie, and Elery moved back to Wisconsin.
Edward remained in Oregon and died at the age of 102.
U.S. Census-1920--City of River Falls
Fay Miller age 34
Gertrude (wife) 32
Elery 9
Belmer 6
Wilbur 5
Edward served in the Civil War.
Died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William Hunter(Pauline "Polly" Miller).
As we saw in on the Edward Miller record, Fay had a sister Pauline, who became known throughout the relationship as “Aunt Polly.
Polly married William “Bill” Hunter. Bill worked as a section hand on the local line of the railroad that served River Falls. According to the U.S. Census-1920-City of River Falls, Bill was previously married to a woman had been previously married to a man named Strout. The Strouts had two daughters that then became step-daughters to Bill.
U.S. Census-1920-City of River Falls
William Hunter age 39
Pauline (wife) 39
Burle Strout (step-dau.) 17
After Bill married Polly they had a daughter named Gretchen. Their home was located very close to the River Falls Electric power plant.
Gretchen went through grades 1-12 in River Falls. As a child I remember teasing her calling her “fatty-fatty two by four, can’t get through the kitchen door,”which was put in my head by cousin Jean Miller. Gretchen didn’t take that abuse very kindly, but I do recall she was a very pleasant and kindly person. I remember cousin Jean Miller and I were invited to Gretchen’s birthday party where I tasted Aunt Polly’s homemade chocolate pudding—it was pure ambrosia. Gretchen like her mother Polly were very religious. They both were active members of the local Apostolic (Pentecostal) church. She married and the lived in Montana, but died at the young age of
Fay Miller's sister Viola Etta Miller, married Henry L. Beardsley on 26 Feb. 1901 in Pierce County. The Beardsley family raised their family on a farm about two miles south of River Falls on the road to Ellsworth.
Fay’s sister June “Junie” Miller married a man named Crandall. They moved to California where Crandall became a man of wealth, but the source of this wealth is unknown.
Fay’s brother Edward moved to Oregon where he raised his family. Shortly after Fay & Gertie were married they went out to Oregon and were living with Edward’s family when their first child Elery was born. Fay, Gertie, and Elery moved back to Wisconsin.
Edward remained in Oregon and died at the age of 102.
U.S. Census-1920--City of River Falls
Fay Miller age 34
Gertrude (wife) 32
Elery 9
Belmer 6
Wilbur 5
Illa's graduation photo was found in the 1969 RFHS Kinnic. After graduation Ila entered the U.S. armed forces(Navy) where she met her future husband Mike Kelley. They had one son Sean.
After living in various parts of the country to accommodate her husband who was a career Navy man, they eventually settled down in their ow home at
135 Garrett Drive, Hampton, VA. 23669 where they were residing as of June, 2005.
Ila contracted diabetes which led to serious eye problems. She received a relatively new laser treatment to improve her eyesight which was a failure. In fact, she ended up legally blind. Later on she had a series of strokes that left her a near invalid, and unable to travel. As a result, when her mother Lora passed away she was unable to attend the funeral which was held in River Falls,WI. Her son Sean represented the family at Lora's funeral.
After living in various parts of the country to accommodate her husband who was a career Navy man, they eventually settled down in their ow home at
135 Garrett Drive, Hampton, VA. 23669 where they were residing as of June, 2005.
Ila contracted diabetes which led to serious eye problems. She received a relatively new laser treatment to improve her eyesight which was a failure. In fact, she ended up legally blind. Later on she had a series of strokes that left her a near invalid, and unable to travel. As a result, when her mother Lora passed away she was unable to attend the funeral which was held in River Falls,WI. Her son Sean represented the family at Lora's funeral.
,Ila was buried with full military honors at the gravesite of her parents in the Mann Valley Cemetery. I attended the ceremony with Earl & Jan Duckett. Sean Kelly, age 41, died in his sleep at their home in Hampton, Va. on Jan. 14, 2018. He had a heart failure. He is buried next to his mother Illa in the Mann Valley Cemetery, Mann Valley, Pierce Co., WI.
1976 - 2018 Obituary Sean Patrick Kelley
HAMPTON - Sean Patrick Kelley passed away, peacefully in his sleep, the evening of January 16th. Sean was 41 years old. Sean was born in San Diego, CA. on November 2, 1976. Sean was the only son of Michael and Ila Kelley. He was a graduate of Peninsula Catholic High School, and held a BA degree from Old Dominion University. Sean was employed for several years by Good Earth Technologies. Until recently he had devoted his time to the full-time care of his invalid mother, until her passing. Sean is survived by his father Michael, of Hampton, VA. Uncle Patrick, Cousins Dani and Derek in Vancouver, WA and Jan Ducket in Osceola, WI. Sean was an avid photographer, people and the squirrels in his back yard, were his favorite subjects. He enjoyed watching his Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish play football. Sean really loved helping others. He volunteered weekly, with members of the Gethsemane Baptist Bread Ministry program to take food from the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank and deliver it to those in need. Known as "Topdog" by his large circle of friends, Sean enjoyed spending his evenings with them around a fire, watching movies, and Christmas caroling. Sean will be laid to rest next to his mother and grand parents in the Mann Valley Cemetery, River Falls, WI. Arrangements are ongoing. There will be a Celebration of Sean's life, February 24th, at the Newport News Moose Lodge. Specifics will follow. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank would be what Sean would have wanted. Your warm and gentle soul has passed. Will miss you, Boy. Dad Arrangements by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions.
Published in Daily Press on Jan. 25, 2018
HAMPTON - Sean Patrick Kelley passed away, peacefully in his sleep, the evening of January 16th. Sean was 41 years old. Sean was born in San Diego, CA. on November 2, 1976. Sean was the only son of Michael and Ila Kelley. He was a graduate of Peninsula Catholic High School, and held a BA degree from Old Dominion University. Sean was employed for several years by Good Earth Technologies. Until recently he had devoted his time to the full-time care of his invalid mother, until her passing. Sean is survived by his father Michael, of Hampton, VA. Uncle Patrick, Cousins Dani and Derek in Vancouver, WA and Jan Ducket in Osceola, WI. Sean was an avid photographer, people and the squirrels in his back yard, were his favorite subjects. He enjoyed watching his Green Bay Packers and Notre Dame Fighting Irish play football. Sean really loved helping others. He volunteered weekly, with members of the Gethsemane Baptist Bread Ministry program to take food from the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank and deliver it to those in need. Known as "Topdog" by his large circle of friends, Sean enjoyed spending his evenings with them around a fire, watching movies, and Christmas caroling. Sean will be laid to rest next to his mother and grand parents in the Mann Valley Cemetery, River Falls, WI. Arrangements are ongoing. There will be a Celebration of Sean's life, February 24th, at the Newport News Moose Lodge. Specifics will follow. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to the Virginia Peninsula Food Bank would be what Sean would have wanted. Your warm and gentle soul has passed. Will miss you, Boy. Dad Arrangements by Berceuse Funeral and Cremation Traditions.
Published in Daily Press on Jan. 25, 2018
Jean was baptised and confirmed into the Lutheran church in 1951.
According to her daughters Nadine and Kari, the correct baptismal name given was GERTRUDE JEAN MILLER. Hovever, she preferred to be called by the given name Jean.
Jean married Norman Johnson on November 23, 1942. The celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in River Falls, WI.
THE SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Mar. 10, 2000 Ezekial Lutheran Church, River Falls,WI., 11:00 A.M.
G, Jean Johnson August 27, 1924,--March 7, 2000
Opening Hymn: "Beautiful Savior"
Hymn: "The Old Rugged Cross"
Hymn "Amaziing Grace"
Holy Communion
Closing Hymn: "Abide With Me"
Preacher: Pastor William Montgomery
Presiding Minister: Pastor David Kebschull
Organist: Betty Lou Oppegard
Pallbearers: Rita Cudd, Duane Johnson, Jack Johnson, Ed Miller, Jeff Miller, Wayne Nelson
Everyone is invited to Fellowship Hall for refreshments and conversation. Thank you to members of the funeral committee, Jan Miller and Betty Halls, chairpersons, and the March Faith and Care members for their ministry and hospitality.
There were about 200 in attendance at the funeral service.
Funeral Card for Jean Johnson:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Jean Johnson
August 27, 1924
March 7, 2000
Services:
Ezekial Lutheran Church
Friday, march 10,2000
11:00 a.m.
Officiating:
Rev. William Montgomery
Rev. Dave Kebschull
Interment:
Greenwood Cemetery
River Falls, Wisconsin
Pallbearers:
Ed Miller Jeff Miller Duane Johnson
Jack Johnson Rits Cudd Wayne Nelson
Arrangements:
Cashman Mortuary
River Falls, Wisconsin
According to her daughters Nadine and Kari, the correct baptismal name given was GERTRUDE JEAN MILLER. Hovever, she preferred to be called by the given name Jean.
Jean married Norman Johnson on November 23, 1942. The celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in River Falls, WI.
THE SERVICE OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Mar. 10, 2000 Ezekial Lutheran Church, River Falls,WI., 11:00 A.M.
G, Jean Johnson August 27, 1924,--March 7, 2000
Opening Hymn: "Beautiful Savior"
Hymn: "The Old Rugged Cross"
Hymn "Amaziing Grace"
Holy Communion
Closing Hymn: "Abide With Me"
Preacher: Pastor William Montgomery
Presiding Minister: Pastor David Kebschull
Organist: Betty Lou Oppegard
Pallbearers: Rita Cudd, Duane Johnson, Jack Johnson, Ed Miller, Jeff Miller, Wayne Nelson
Everyone is invited to Fellowship Hall for refreshments and conversation. Thank you to members of the funeral committee, Jan Miller and Betty Halls, chairpersons, and the March Faith and Care members for their ministry and hospitality.
There were about 200 in attendance at the funeral service.
Funeral Card for Jean Johnson:
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Jean Johnson
August 27, 1924
March 7, 2000
Services:
Ezekial Lutheran Church
Friday, march 10,2000
11:00 a.m.
Officiating:
Rev. William Montgomery
Rev. Dave Kebschull
Interment:
Greenwood Cemetery
River Falls, Wisconsin
Pallbearers:
Ed Miller Jeff Miller Duane Johnson
Jack Johnson Rits Cudd Wayne Nelson
Arrangements:
Cashman Mortuary
River Falls, Wisconsin
Ward and Annie were married in River Falls,WI. on April 3, 1916 by Edw. P. Sanderson, Justice of the Peace. Bernard was born on 30 September, 1916.
According to Isabel she stayed with Annie at the time Bernard was born. Ward went to get a doctor, but the baby arrived before the doctor got there.
Ward and Annie lived for a time with Art and Isabel Smith in River Falls. Ward was carrying ice for Les Kay in 1921 and 1922, then he moved onto the Hugo Wise farm near the Bill Schorn farm out on County Line.
Ward and Annie had a son who was stillborn on 8 Nov. 1923. The birth is recorded at the Pierce Co. Ct. Hse., Ellesworth,WI. The birth records for both Harold"Nig" and Gladys are recorded there.
Ward and Annie lived in the Ezra Smith house at 234 S. Third St. when Gladys was born on 13 Jan. 1925. Then they moved to the Larkin house on North Main St. where they lived at the time of the birth of Viola in 1926.
In June or July of 1928 they moved to Trego,WI. It was here in 1933 that Vicella was born with Isabel again acting as mid-wife.
In 1975 I visited Lyndon Smith at Spooner,WI. I asked him if he knew where Ward was buried. Lyndon's wife Grace suggested that I call a Mrs. Roberts of Spooner who was the widow of the local funeral director at the time Ward died. When I called her she quickly dug out the old records and discovered that Ward had died in the Rice Lake Hospital. His furneral cost was $70. The County paid $55. $5 was for the plot, and it cost $10 to dig the grave. He was buried in a separate grave with no provision for a headstone. Mrs. Lena Petri of the current mortuary in Spooner provided the location of the grave. Lyndon and I went out to the Spooner cemetery and located the grave. It is found by entering the far West entrance and proceeding straight ahead for about 100 feet where it is located on the right side of the road. A temporary marker now marks the spot.
On 13 August 1976 I went to the Barron Co. Ct. Hse. and found the death record for Ward Smith. His brithdate was given as 13 July 1893. Occupation: Farmer. He died from a diabetic coma at 11:50 a.m. on June 21 1939, age 45 years, 10 mos. and 8 da. No middle name was recorded. His brithplace was listed as River Falls(which is an error).
It was a big disappointment when I failed to learn if Ward had a middle name. I had always believed he must have had a middle name because all 12 of his brothers and sisters were given middle names except him. This was not consistant and indicated an error. However, I have never been able to find his middle name recorded anywhere. Since the first son's middle name was Ward, and we know the middle name for his second son was Edward, it is possible that either Bernard or Edward was the middle name for Ward--however, this is pure conjecture.
Annie was the daughter of William and Mary Ann(Wendlick;Yanisch) Schorn. She had two full brothers: Louie and Barney Yanisch, and a half-brother, Ray Schorn; A full sister, Mathilda(Yanisch) Sly, and three half-sisters: Clara(Schorn) Johnson, Emma (Schorn) Thoen and Agnes Jeanette(Schorn) Thoen. The name Janisch is interchangeable with Yanisch. Those families changed their names for various reasons.
Agnes was born on March 23, 1922, in River Falls. She died on June 8, 2000, at the Ellsworth Care Center. She was buried in Greenwood cemetery in River Falls beside her husband George.
After Annie's father died, her mother remarried to William Schorn. This is how Annie became a half-sister to Agnes Thoen(Mrs. George Thoen of River Falls). Annie's full sister Mathilda "Tillie," married a man named Sly--they lived on 6th St. in River Falls.
How Annie performed as an adult I can't say, but the records for the County Line School shows that both Annie and her sister Tillie were "A" students. The Smiths didn't fair as well at the same school.
At the time of Ward's death in 1939, Tillie took both Vicella and Viola to live with she and her daughter Blanche in River Falls.
Margaret had a low I.Q. and was sexually abused by many older boys. She then became a ward of the state and ended up being placed in the Chippewa Colony for troubled children. She ended up in the women's prison at Taycheedah(Fond du Lac) on what charges I do not know. I was never able to see her prison records. She was released to the custody of a family in Malone,WI where she died from tetanus infection in 1952. Grace told me she went down to Malone with Viola and Sylvester Hanson, but Margaret had already been buried and her belongings thrown away before they got there. Grace said that Harold knew of Margaret's death but did not inform the rest of the family until a couple of weeks after Margaret was buried. See the record of Margaret(469).
I talked with both Grace and Vicella in March, 1987 about their family. Vicella said she was too young at the time of Ward's death to remember much, and referred me to Grace. Grace told me about the family breakup at the time of Ward's death. Grace told me that she had already left home and was doing housework in Menomonie at age 16 or 17.
In later years Annie went to Minneapolis,MN to live with her daughter Grace. After becoming too ill for home care Annie was placed in a nursing home where she later died. Upon her death she was buried beside her daughter Viola Hanson in Stillwater,MN.
Annie is listed in the Social Security Death Index. Her SSN is 470-42-5989.
See Vol. 8, Pierce County's Heritage, pp 165 for more on the Yanisch(Janisch) genealogy.
According to Isabel she stayed with Annie at the time Bernard was born. Ward went to get a doctor, but the baby arrived before the doctor got there.
Ward and Annie lived for a time with Art and Isabel Smith in River Falls. Ward was carrying ice for Les Kay in 1921 and 1922, then he moved onto the Hugo Wise farm near the Bill Schorn farm out on County Line.
Ward and Annie had a son who was stillborn on 8 Nov. 1923. The birth is recorded at the Pierce Co. Ct. Hse., Ellesworth,WI. The birth records for both Harold"Nig" and Gladys are recorded there.
Ward and Annie lived in the Ezra Smith house at 234 S. Third St. when Gladys was born on 13 Jan. 1925. Then they moved to the Larkin house on North Main St. where they lived at the time of the birth of Viola in 1926.
In June or July of 1928 they moved to Trego,WI. It was here in 1933 that Vicella was born with Isabel again acting as mid-wife.
In 1975 I visited Lyndon Smith at Spooner,WI. I asked him if he knew where Ward was buried. Lyndon's wife Grace suggested that I call a Mrs. Roberts of Spooner who was the widow of the local funeral director at the time Ward died. When I called her she quickly dug out the old records and discovered that Ward had died in the Rice Lake Hospital. His furneral cost was $70. The County paid $55. $5 was for the plot, and it cost $10 to dig the grave. He was buried in a separate grave with no provision for a headstone. Mrs. Lena Petri of the current mortuary in Spooner provided the location of the grave. Lyndon and I went out to the Spooner cemetery and located the grave. It is found by entering the far West entrance and proceeding straight ahead for about 100 feet where it is located on the right side of the road. A temporary marker now marks the spot.
On 13 August 1976 I went to the Barron Co. Ct. Hse. and found the death record for Ward Smith. His brithdate was given as 13 July 1893. Occupation: Farmer. He died from a diabetic coma at 11:50 a.m. on June 21 1939, age 45 years, 10 mos. and 8 da. No middle name was recorded. His brithplace was listed as River Falls(which is an error).
It was a big disappointment when I failed to learn if Ward had a middle name. I had always believed he must have had a middle name because all 12 of his brothers and sisters were given middle names except him. This was not consistant and indicated an error. However, I have never been able to find his middle name recorded anywhere. Since the first son's middle name was Ward, and we know the middle name for his second son was Edward, it is possible that either Bernard or Edward was the middle name for Ward--however, this is pure conjecture.
Annie was the daughter of William and Mary Ann(Wendlick;Yanisch) Schorn. She had two full brothers: Louie and Barney Yanisch, and a half-brother, Ray Schorn; A full sister, Mathilda(Yanisch) Sly, and three half-sisters: Clara(Schorn) Johnson, Emma (Schorn) Thoen and Agnes Jeanette(Schorn) Thoen. The name Janisch is interchangeable with Yanisch. Those families changed their names for various reasons.
Agnes was born on March 23, 1922, in River Falls. She died on June 8, 2000, at the Ellsworth Care Center. She was buried in Greenwood cemetery in River Falls beside her husband George.
After Annie's father died, her mother remarried to William Schorn. This is how Annie became a half-sister to Agnes Thoen(Mrs. George Thoen of River Falls). Annie's full sister Mathilda "Tillie," married a man named Sly--they lived on 6th St. in River Falls.
How Annie performed as an adult I can't say, but the records for the County Line School shows that both Annie and her sister Tillie were "A" students. The Smiths didn't fair as well at the same school.
At the time of Ward's death in 1939, Tillie took both Vicella and Viola to live with she and her daughter Blanche in River Falls.
Margaret had a low I.Q. and was sexually abused by many older boys. She then became a ward of the state and ended up being placed in the Chippewa Colony for troubled children. She ended up in the women's prison at Taycheedah(Fond du Lac) on what charges I do not know. I was never able to see her prison records. She was released to the custody of a family in Malone,WI where she died from tetanus infection in 1952. Grace told me she went down to Malone with Viola and Sylvester Hanson, but Margaret had already been buried and her belongings thrown away before they got there. Grace said that Harold knew of Margaret's death but did not inform the rest of the family until a couple of weeks after Margaret was buried. See the record of Margaret(469).
I talked with both Grace and Vicella in March, 1987 about their family. Vicella said she was too young at the time of Ward's death to remember much, and referred me to Grace. Grace told me about the family breakup at the time of Ward's death. Grace told me that she had already left home and was doing housework in Menomonie at age 16 or 17.
In later years Annie went to Minneapolis,MN to live with her daughter Grace. After becoming too ill for home care Annie was placed in a nursing home where she later died. Upon her death she was buried beside her daughter Viola Hanson in Stillwater,MN.
Annie is listed in the Social Security Death Index. Her SSN is 470-42-5989.
See Vol. 8, Pierce County's Heritage, pp 165 for more on the Yanisch(Janisch) genealogy.
Very little biographical information is available on Bernard. We know he married Linea Lund, but no data is available. We don’t know if they divorced, but in any event Bernard was living alone and when after coming back to his trailer home he somehow set it afire and died in the flames. It was reported that he had been at a bar drinking heavily.
Grandpa Smith(George B.) died at the home of Harold Smith in Lampson. Whatever transpired during the time Grandpa Smith contacted Harold asking him if he could come to live with them, and his death at Harold's home will forever go unknown. However, whatever the circumstances, Harold developed an almost violent hatred for all of the Smiths and relatives who lived in River Falls.
While I was doing family history many years later, I attempted to visit with him at his cafe in Minong, but his wife said he wouldn't talk with me. I believe the only time I ever met him was at our home in River Falls where my folks hosted a family get together. I was only about 8 years old at the time.
After Grandpa Smith died, his sons Charley and Clifford went to Lampson to pick up Granpa's meager possessions contained in one or two trunks, and were told to get out by Harold. Harold told them that the way they treated Grandpa as he was about to die, they didn't deserve to take his belongings. So, Harold kept whatever Grandpa had with him. There no doubt were pictures, letters, and any amount of historic memorablilia that I'm sure Harold did not comprehend as being of any value. As a result they are forever lost.
His SSN 389-14-4859
I met Carol Smith at their café in Minong in about 1970. She was the only member of the family that would talk with me.
Judy Opacich of Hibbing,MN contacted me on the internet for information in regard to Carol Pierce. It turns out that Judy's father Everett Pierce was a brother to Carol. Judy knew that her grandfather's name was George Pierce, and her grandmother was Lydia Mack.
I spoke with Grace Smith(Mrs. Lyndon Smith) on Sat. Mar. 18,2000, and she provided me with the following information:
Grace said that Carol Pierce was one of 11 or 12 children all born on a farm located between Spooner and Trego,WI. She believes one of the Carol's brothers (ca. age 90) is still living in the area. Many nieces and nephews are still living in the area.
Grace provided the name and address of one of Carol's daughters who is still living in Minong. Karen Baker, 715 Wallace St., Minong,WI, 54859(she works for the county coroner). A son, Harold Smith still lives in Minong, and has been active with the local fire department for many years. He has been cited many times for his outstanding work as a fireman.
While I was doing family history many years later, I attempted to visit with him at his cafe in Minong, but his wife said he wouldn't talk with me. I believe the only time I ever met him was at our home in River Falls where my folks hosted a family get together. I was only about 8 years old at the time.
After Grandpa Smith died, his sons Charley and Clifford went to Lampson to pick up Granpa's meager possessions contained in one or two trunks, and were told to get out by Harold. Harold told them that the way they treated Grandpa as he was about to die, they didn't deserve to take his belongings. So, Harold kept whatever Grandpa had with him. There no doubt were pictures, letters, and any amount of historic memorablilia that I'm sure Harold did not comprehend as being of any value. As a result they are forever lost.
His SSN 389-14-4859
I met Carol Smith at their café in Minong in about 1970. She was the only member of the family that would talk with me.
Judy Opacich of Hibbing,MN contacted me on the internet for information in regard to Carol Pierce. It turns out that Judy's father Everett Pierce was a brother to Carol. Judy knew that her grandfather's name was George Pierce, and her grandmother was Lydia Mack.
I spoke with Grace Smith(Mrs. Lyndon Smith) on Sat. Mar. 18,2000, and she provided me with the following information:
Grace said that Carol Pierce was one of 11 or 12 children all born on a farm located between Spooner and Trego,WI. She believes one of the Carol's brothers (ca. age 90) is still living in the area. Many nieces and nephews are still living in the area.
Grace provided the name and address of one of Carol's daughters who is still living in Minong. Karen Baker, 715 Wallace St., Minong,WI, 54859(she works for the county coroner). A son, Harold Smith still lives in Minong, and has been active with the local fire department for many years. He has been cited many times for his outstanding work as a fireman.
I never met Margaret. She was gone from the family when I was very young.
According to Sylvester Hanson on Feb. 6, 1987: He and his wife Viola and her sister Grace didn't find out about the death of Margaret until a week or two after she had been buried. Grace said Harold knew of her death, but he didn't tell the rest of the family until after she was buried and all of her belongings disposed of. Harold told them the the casket was sealed and they wouldn't let him see the body.
Sylvester said he and Viola went down to Malone to try and find out what happened to Margaret. Sylvester said they talked to the District attorney who told them that Margaret had hit her head on a nail and as a result it became infected and she ultimately died from the effects of Tetanus. They tried to see the official records, but were prevented from doing so. They hired a local attorney who charged them about $100 to tell them that he couldn't get the records either.
Sylvester said Margaret had mental problems and needed care. When Ward died she became a ward of the State and soon ended up in the Chippewa Colony at Chippewa Falls,WI. From there she finally wound up at the Taycheedah Womens Prison in Fond du Lac,WI.
Margaret was released from prison into the care of a local rich farmer who was known locally as Dr. Phillips, though the title was only assumed--he was not a bona fide doctor of anything. It was while she was working for Dr. Phillips and his wife that Margaret died.
On Friday, October 11, 1991, I visited the Court House in Fond du Lac,WI., and searched for the death record for Margaret. I found the record in Volume 28, pp 385 of the death records, and copied the following data:
Margaret J. Smith
Mother's name: Anna ____??
Father's name: Unknown
Informant: Mrs. Merle Phillips
Place of death: Fond du lac
Length of stay: 2 days
Cause of death: scalp injury--tetanus -- 2 weeks from injury.
Burial: Aug. 22, 1951, in Portland Cemetery, Chilton, WI.
Funeral director: J.A. Schumacker, Stockbridge, WI.
I believe the file on Margaret Smith that covers the time when she became a ward of the State of Wisconsin probably exists somewhere, but I don't know how to find it.
This file was sealed at the time of her death in 1951, but now since the advent of the Freedom-Of-Information Act, it may be possible to locate this file and read it. This file should contain some very interesting information related to how she became a ward of the State, her whereabouts during that period of time, What crime she commited that resulted in her being incarcerated, and the particulars leading up to her parole, and her being hired out to work for the Merle Phillips family of Malone, WI.
According to Sylvester Hanson on Feb. 6, 1987: He and his wife Viola and her sister Grace didn't find out about the death of Margaret until a week or two after she had been buried. Grace said Harold knew of her death, but he didn't tell the rest of the family until after she was buried and all of her belongings disposed of. Harold told them the the casket was sealed and they wouldn't let him see the body.
Sylvester said he and Viola went down to Malone to try and find out what happened to Margaret. Sylvester said they talked to the District attorney who told them that Margaret had hit her head on a nail and as a result it became infected and she ultimately died from the effects of Tetanus. They tried to see the official records, but were prevented from doing so. They hired a local attorney who charged them about $100 to tell them that he couldn't get the records either.
Sylvester said Margaret had mental problems and needed care. When Ward died she became a ward of the State and soon ended up in the Chippewa Colony at Chippewa Falls,WI. From there she finally wound up at the Taycheedah Womens Prison in Fond du Lac,WI.
Margaret was released from prison into the care of a local rich farmer who was known locally as Dr. Phillips, though the title was only assumed--he was not a bona fide doctor of anything. It was while she was working for Dr. Phillips and his wife that Margaret died.
On Friday, October 11, 1991, I visited the Court House in Fond du Lac,WI., and searched for the death record for Margaret. I found the record in Volume 28, pp 385 of the death records, and copied the following data:
Margaret J. Smith
Mother's name: Anna ____??
Father's name: Unknown
Informant: Mrs. Merle Phillips
Place of death: Fond du lac
Length of stay: 2 days
Cause of death: scalp injury--tetanus -- 2 weeks from injury.
Burial: Aug. 22, 1951, in Portland Cemetery, Chilton, WI.
Funeral director: J.A. Schumacker, Stockbridge, WI.
I believe the file on Margaret Smith that covers the time when she became a ward of the State of Wisconsin probably exists somewhere, but I don't know how to find it.
This file was sealed at the time of her death in 1951, but now since the advent of the Freedom-Of-Information Act, it may be possible to locate this file and read it. This file should contain some very interesting information related to how she became a ward of the State, her whereabouts during that period of time, What crime she commited that resulted in her being incarcerated, and the particulars leading up to her parole, and her being hired out to work for the Merle Phillips family of Malone, WI.
Grace Ankney said that her mother Annie Smith was living with her in Minneapolis up until she became so ill they had to put in a nursing home where she died. Annie was buried in Stillwater,MN beside her daughter, Viola Hanson
Viola and Vicella went to school in River Falls. Although Viola was born in 1927. she was a year behind me in school and I very seldom ever saw her. I think when she was enrolled in the River Falls shools she was placed in the same grade as her cousin Blanche Sly(the only daughter of Tillie). I say this, because in the 1944 High School Kinnick she is pictured with Blanche Sly in a home economics class--they were juniors in H.S. I don't know if she graduated or not.
When Viola started dating her future husband Sylveter Hanson, Viola would stop into our house to visit as she walked past to go to the Hanson home which was located on about 1 block West of us on Cascade Ave. She was more interested in talking with uncle Art Foss(my Dad), than she was talking with me, and I felt the same way at that time. I never really talked much with her then. I never did know anything about her sister Vicella at the time.
She died very suddenly from a severe onset of high blood pressure which caused a stroke and kidney failure. Age, 44, 1972.
I always had the impression that Viola was assuming the role of the dominant family figure around which the rest of the family sought refuge. Sadly, she died before this role blossomed. I think the responsibility shifted to Grace after the death of Viola.
OBITUARY--Stillwater News
Hanson - Viola M., age 44, Rte 2, Stillwater, on Tuesday. She was born December 29, 1927 in River Falls,WI Her parents were Ward and Annie Yanisch Smith. She is survived by her husband Sylvester, nine children; Mrs. Leland(Delores) Johnson of Osceola,WI., Irvin, Oak Park Hghts, Dale, Lina Cindy, Bruce, Julaine, Bernie and Nancy Jo, at home; Mother, Mrs. Annie Smith, Stillwater; brother, Harold Smith, Minong,WI; sisters, Mrs. Keith(Grace) Ankey, Minneapolis,MN, Mrs. Ted(Gladys) Herman, Milwaukee,WI., and Mrs. Fred(Vicella) Busse of St. Paul. Six grandchildren, several aunts, uncles, neices, and nephews.
Death Notice--Sunday St. Paul Pioneer Press
HANSON, SI W. "SYLVESTER"
HUSBAND, DAD, GRANDPA, GREAT-GRAND
Passed away 4/28/05, at age 77. Preceded in death by first wife Viola; 3 brothers, 4 sisters, 3 great-grandchildren.
Survived by wife Jackie; 9 children, 7 step-children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also survived by 1 sister and 3 brothers.
Services will be held on Monday, May 2, 11 AM, at St. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 609 S. 5th St., Stillwater. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 1, 4-8PM at SIMONET FUNERAL HOME, 6429 Osgood Ave. N., Stillwater. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Stillwater. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred.
Note: Sylvester was diagnosed with Lou Gerhig's disease in about 1987. He and his wife Jackie were operating a second-hand store at the hamlet known as Nye, which is located about 5 miles east of Osceola,WI. George Foss visited Sylvester and Jackie several times at the Nye store to discuss family history.
When Viola started dating her future husband Sylveter Hanson, Viola would stop into our house to visit as she walked past to go to the Hanson home which was located on about 1 block West of us on Cascade Ave. She was more interested in talking with uncle Art Foss(my Dad), than she was talking with me, and I felt the same way at that time. I never really talked much with her then. I never did know anything about her sister Vicella at the time.
She died very suddenly from a severe onset of high blood pressure which caused a stroke and kidney failure. Age, 44, 1972.
I always had the impression that Viola was assuming the role of the dominant family figure around which the rest of the family sought refuge. Sadly, she died before this role blossomed. I think the responsibility shifted to Grace after the death of Viola.
OBITUARY--Stillwater News
Hanson - Viola M., age 44, Rte 2, Stillwater, on Tuesday. She was born December 29, 1927 in River Falls,WI Her parents were Ward and Annie Yanisch Smith. She is survived by her husband Sylvester, nine children; Mrs. Leland(Delores) Johnson of Osceola,WI., Irvin, Oak Park Hghts, Dale, Lina Cindy, Bruce, Julaine, Bernie and Nancy Jo, at home; Mother, Mrs. Annie Smith, Stillwater; brother, Harold Smith, Minong,WI; sisters, Mrs. Keith(Grace) Ankey, Minneapolis,MN, Mrs. Ted(Gladys) Herman, Milwaukee,WI., and Mrs. Fred(Vicella) Busse of St. Paul. Six grandchildren, several aunts, uncles, neices, and nephews.
Death Notice--Sunday St. Paul Pioneer Press
HANSON, SI W. "SYLVESTER"
HUSBAND, DAD, GRANDPA, GREAT-GRAND
Passed away 4/28/05, at age 77. Preceded in death by first wife Viola; 3 brothers, 4 sisters, 3 great-grandchildren.
Survived by wife Jackie; 9 children, 7 step-children, numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also survived by 1 sister and 3 brothers.
Services will be held on Monday, May 2, 11 AM, at St. PAUL LUTHERAN CHURCH, 609 S. 5th St., Stillwater. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 1, 4-8PM at SIMONET FUNERAL HOME, 6429 Osgood Ave. N., Stillwater. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Stillwater. In lieu of flowers memorials preferred.
Note: Sylvester was diagnosed with Lou Gerhig's disease in about 1987. He and his wife Jackie were operating a second-hand store at the hamlet known as Nye, which is located about 5 miles east of Osceola,WI. George Foss visited Sylvester and Jackie several times at the Nye store to discuss family history.
Vicella said she went to live with her Aunt Tillie Sly on 6th Street in River Falls after her father Ward died in 1939.
She said she was only 8 years old at the time. Her sister Viola was also taken in by her Aunt Tillie. They lived there and attended school in River Falls. Vicella left her sister Viola and Aunt Tillie in about 1945 and went to live with her sister Grace. She lived with Grace until she married Fred Busse in about 1957. Vicella had open-heart surgery in 1973.
OBITUARY-
Busse, Vicella, age 65, St. Paul, May 6, 1997. Preceeded in death by son Frederick. Survived by husband Fred Milton; daughters, Arlene Busse(Jerry Johnson), Carla Hoffman; grandsons, Michael Joe Busse, Jeremy and Adam Hoffman; brother, Harold Smith Sr., and many other relatives and friends. Visitation 4-7 pm Friday at Anderson Funeral Home, 1401 Arcade St(HWY61) followed by funeral services at 7 pm. Interment Fairview Cemetery. Special thank you to the Hanson family.
In Memory of Vicella Busse
Date of birth, June 25, 1931
Date of death, May 6, 1997
Honorary pallbearers:
Michael Joe Busse Dan Stevenson
Jeremy Hoffman Bernie Hanson
Adam Hoffman Irvin hanson
Dale Hanson Smoky Smith
Bruce Hanson Donnie Smith
Brad Johnson
She said she was only 8 years old at the time. Her sister Viola was also taken in by her Aunt Tillie. They lived there and attended school in River Falls. Vicella left her sister Viola and Aunt Tillie in about 1945 and went to live with her sister Grace. She lived with Grace until she married Fred Busse in about 1957. Vicella had open-heart surgery in 1973.
OBITUARY-
Busse, Vicella, age 65, St. Paul, May 6, 1997. Preceeded in death by son Frederick. Survived by husband Fred Milton; daughters, Arlene Busse(Jerry Johnson), Carla Hoffman; grandsons, Michael Joe Busse, Jeremy and Adam Hoffman; brother, Harold Smith Sr., and many other relatives and friends. Visitation 4-7 pm Friday at Anderson Funeral Home, 1401 Arcade St(HWY61) followed by funeral services at 7 pm. Interment Fairview Cemetery. Special thank you to the Hanson family.
In Memory of Vicella Busse
Date of birth, June 25, 1931
Date of death, May 6, 1997
Honorary pallbearers:
Michael Joe Busse Dan Stevenson
Jeremy Hoffman Bernie Hanson
Adam Hoffman Irvin hanson
Dale Hanson Smoky Smith
Bruce Hanson Donnie Smith
Brad Johnson
Clarence was always known to the Smith family as "Toot." The origin of this name remains unknown.
OBITUARY FOR CLARENCE ELDON SMITH
River Falls Journal- Clarence Eldon Smith 1894 - 1957.
Smith. Clarence Eldon Smith was born in Auroraville, Wis., July 16, 1894. He passed away Thursday morning, March 14, at a Red Wing,MN hospital. He had been disabled for the past year and a half by illness. Most of his adult life was spent in River Falls and vicinity working as a farm hand and in later years he mowed lawns, did janitor work on River Falls Main Street, and for the Smead Manufacturing Company, until the time of his disability. He is survived by two sisters, Ruth (Mrs. Vern Erickson) of Red Wing,MN., Belle (Mrs Homer Annis) of Delphos, Kansas, and one brother Clifford of River Falls. His passing is also mourned by many relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents Mr. and Mrs. George B. smith of River Falls, two sisters and six brothers.
Clarence was not accepted for military duty in WWI because of poor eyesight from the results of whooping cough and diphtheria as a child. Around 1938 and 1939 he suffered a number of strokes that resulted in paralysis in his legs and arms, but he recovered enough to enable him to care for himself. However, from that time on he seemed to be locked in "slow motion." He cared for himself for a number of years until finally, it was necessary to get added assistance. Vern Erickson helped to get Clarence placed at what was known as the "Poor Farm" about a mile north of Ellsworth,WI.
As I try to remember him I think of a short man wearing clean well-worn bib overalls with the cuffs of the legs rolled up showing his polished high top work shoes. Except for the hottest part of the summer he wore a short work jacket, a blue chambrey shirt, and a straight old-time dress cap. His eyesight was very poor and he wore coke-bottle glasses. As long as I knew him he had no teeth.
"Toot" always enjoyed the ladies' coffee Klatches. I remember him most in the years of 1944 and 1945 when we lived on Cascade Avenue, in River Falls. In those days Mother belonged to a birthday club consisting of several local women and close relatives. In any event, there was a get together nearly every week or so. "Toot" never missed one. He had his rounds just like an old hound dog, and the women tolerated him. He never made waves or caused trouble, but he did know the town news--so he was welcome. The women also got a kick out him being a hypochondriac. He had a pill for whatever ailed you. He was also a catalog "nut" and always knew what was in the latest "Monkey Wards" or "Sears & Sawbuck" catalogs.
Elwyn and Vycella Waxon told me about the time Uncle "Toot" drove their sister Leora, Uncle Fred Smith, and themselves to Minong in his Model "T" Ford to visit Grandpa Smith in a bout 1923 or 1924. This was told to me at the annual Smith picnic held in Glen Park on August 1, 1981.
OBITUARY FOR CLARENCE ELDON SMITH
River Falls Journal- Clarence Eldon Smith 1894 - 1957.
Smith. Clarence Eldon Smith was born in Auroraville, Wis., July 16, 1894. He passed away Thursday morning, March 14, at a Red Wing,MN hospital. He had been disabled for the past year and a half by illness. Most of his adult life was spent in River Falls and vicinity working as a farm hand and in later years he mowed lawns, did janitor work on River Falls Main Street, and for the Smead Manufacturing Company, until the time of his disability. He is survived by two sisters, Ruth (Mrs. Vern Erickson) of Red Wing,MN., Belle (Mrs Homer Annis) of Delphos, Kansas, and one brother Clifford of River Falls. His passing is also mourned by many relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents Mr. and Mrs. George B. smith of River Falls, two sisters and six brothers.
Clarence was not accepted for military duty in WWI because of poor eyesight from the results of whooping cough and diphtheria as a child. Around 1938 and 1939 he suffered a number of strokes that resulted in paralysis in his legs and arms, but he recovered enough to enable him to care for himself. However, from that time on he seemed to be locked in "slow motion." He cared for himself for a number of years until finally, it was necessary to get added assistance. Vern Erickson helped to get Clarence placed at what was known as the "Poor Farm" about a mile north of Ellsworth,WI.
As I try to remember him I think of a short man wearing clean well-worn bib overalls with the cuffs of the legs rolled up showing his polished high top work shoes. Except for the hottest part of the summer he wore a short work jacket, a blue chambrey shirt, and a straight old-time dress cap. His eyesight was very poor and he wore coke-bottle glasses. As long as I knew him he had no teeth.
"Toot" always enjoyed the ladies' coffee Klatches. I remember him most in the years of 1944 and 1945 when we lived on Cascade Avenue, in River Falls. In those days Mother belonged to a birthday club consisting of several local women and close relatives. In any event, there was a get together nearly every week or so. "Toot" never missed one. He had his rounds just like an old hound dog, and the women tolerated him. He never made waves or caused trouble, but he did know the town news--so he was welcome. The women also got a kick out him being a hypochondriac. He had a pill for whatever ailed you. He was also a catalog "nut" and always knew what was in the latest "Monkey Wards" or "Sears & Sawbuck" catalogs.
Elwyn and Vycella Waxon told me about the time Uncle "Toot" drove their sister Leora, Uncle Fred Smith, and themselves to Minong in his Model "T" Ford to visit Grandpa Smith in a bout 1923 or 1924. This was told to me at the annual Smith picnic held in Glen Park on August 1, 1981.
The complete record for Bessie Smith is included on the Arthur Foss page of the Foss Genealogy on this website
OBITUARY FOR ARLOW MILLARD SMITH
River Falls Journal - Oct 10,1918
Died - Arlow M. Smith, son of George B. Smith, was born in Waushara County, Wis., April 7, 1897, one of a large family. He took his place with the others in work on the farm. Just previous to his enlistment he was helping his father to prove up on a new homestead in Northern Wisconsin.
From the first he was anxious to respond to his country's call and would have enlisted had not duty to his father kept him at home. On June 1st having made arrangements with a married brother to take his place on the farm, he enlisted in C.C. 2nd Regiment stationed at Camp Dewey, Ill., Great Lakes Training Station.
His letters home were always cheerful, expressing his satisfaction with his surroundings and showing his great desire to be "over there."
Less than two weeks ago he was home on a ten days furlough, which he thoroughly enjoyed but he was eager to be back on the job and ever his mind turned to the one subject that filled his life.
The last letter told of expectation of an early transfer and then he was taken with Spanish Influenza from which he partially recovered when a relapse caused his sudden death Oct. 1st, 1918.
The services were conducted by Rev. G.A. Bird, at the home of his brother Ezra Smith, Corner of Third and Spring Streets, Oct. 3, 1918, at two o'clock. A male quartet composed of Messrs. Hanna, Norseng, P.W. Bird and G.A. Bird rendered two appropriate selections. The local S.A.T.C. under the command of Lieutenant Jaurgeguy attended in a body and the palbearers were chosen from this company.
___________________
There was a special proclamation on the front page of the River Falls Journal for several weeks during this period warning the public to the seriousness of the Spanish Flu empidemic.
Arlow was buried in the Smith plot in Greenood Cemetery.. On the headstones the dates are 1897 - 1915. On the Government headstone the death date is given as Oct. 2, 1918. These are typical examples of the errors that one finds while carrying out genealogial research.
River Falls Journal, Oct. 10, 1918----George Smith returned to Trego Monday.
Mrs. Homer Annis and children and Mrs. Arthur Smith and children returned to their homes at Leads, N.D. Monday.
River Falls Journal - Oct 10,1918
Died - Arlow M. Smith, son of George B. Smith, was born in Waushara County, Wis., April 7, 1897, one of a large family. He took his place with the others in work on the farm. Just previous to his enlistment he was helping his father to prove up on a new homestead in Northern Wisconsin.
From the first he was anxious to respond to his country's call and would have enlisted had not duty to his father kept him at home. On June 1st having made arrangements with a married brother to take his place on the farm, he enlisted in C.C. 2nd Regiment stationed at Camp Dewey, Ill., Great Lakes Training Station.
His letters home were always cheerful, expressing his satisfaction with his surroundings and showing his great desire to be "over there."
Less than two weeks ago he was home on a ten days furlough, which he thoroughly enjoyed but he was eager to be back on the job and ever his mind turned to the one subject that filled his life.
The last letter told of expectation of an early transfer and then he was taken with Spanish Influenza from which he partially recovered when a relapse caused his sudden death Oct. 1st, 1918.
The services were conducted by Rev. G.A. Bird, at the home of his brother Ezra Smith, Corner of Third and Spring Streets, Oct. 3, 1918, at two o'clock. A male quartet composed of Messrs. Hanna, Norseng, P.W. Bird and G.A. Bird rendered two appropriate selections. The local S.A.T.C. under the command of Lieutenant Jaurgeguy attended in a body and the palbearers were chosen from this company.
___________________
There was a special proclamation on the front page of the River Falls Journal for several weeks during this period warning the public to the seriousness of the Spanish Flu empidemic.
Arlow was buried in the Smith plot in Greenood Cemetery.. On the headstones the dates are 1897 - 1915. On the Government headstone the death date is given as Oct. 2, 1918. These are typical examples of the errors that one finds while carrying out genealogial research.
River Falls Journal, Oct. 10, 1918----George Smith returned to Trego Monday.
Mrs. Homer Annis and children and Mrs. Arthur Smith and children returned to their homes at Leads, N.D. Monday.
I don't know if Clifford was born with a deformed foot or not, but I believe he was. He had the first operation on his foot to try and correct it when he was 6 or 7 year old. The operation was done by Dr.s Dawson and Ashley in River Falls. Belmer Miller said that Dr. Dawson had one of the local blacksmiths make a crude lever device that they used to try and force the crippled foot straight by breaking it. The operation was a total failure leaving Clifford more crippled for life than he was before they operated on him. Clifford said that small pieces of bone splinters came through the skin for many years after that.
Clifford had a little musical talent, and learned to play what we call the Hawaiian guitar. He laid it on his lap and used a metal bar to operate the strings. He sang as he played. He was the winner of the Falls Theater and Station KAAA talent show with his performance of guitar playing, singing and yodeling. At that time he auditioned to play on the KAAA radio station, but nothing ever came of it.
In the late 1936 Clifford bought out the popcorn stand that was owned by "Sam" G. the pocorn man. This machine was gas fired and it was mounted on four large diameter wire spoke wheels(much like bicycle wheels). For many years Clifford sold popcorn on the South corner of Main and Elm Streets, directly across the street from the flagpole. I operated this machine for Clifford many times when I was a teenager. A man named Jennings operated a similar popcorn stand across the street Clifford's on the North corner.
Clifford and LaVerne sold out the popcorn stand and moved to Hudson where Clifford worked as a janitor for the Dibbo Cafe and LaVerne worked as a waitress in Ray's Truck Stop on the hill across from the Hudson bridge.
After a few years in Hudson Clifford and LaVerne separated. LaVerne remained in Hudson with her new young son John Ray, and Clifford moved to New Richmond,WI. where he lived out the remainder of his life. He worked as a janitor until he became too ill to work.
I visited Clifford many times in New Richmond, and he told me as much as he knew about the Smith family, but neither he nor his sister Ruth were good sources of family history. He gave me his copy of the Smith family photo taken on the wedding day of his sister Bertha Belle to Homer Annis. The last time I saw Clifford alive was at the funeral of his sister Ruth Erickson In Red Wing,MN.
I was a symbolic pallbearer at Clifford's funeral. He wasn't interred until late in the Spring. Although a grave was saved for him in the Smith plots in Greenwood cemetery in River Falls, he was buried in the southeast corner of the New Richmond cemetery.
Clifford and LaVerne were married in River Falls,WI., at the Congregational parsonage.
MARRIED -- SMITH-BARKER
River Falls Journal
A pretty wedding was solemnized at the Congregational parsonage in this city at four o'clock Saturday afternoon, December 14, 1935, when La.verne Anna, only daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Ray Barker of Kinnickinnic, became the bride of Clifford John Smith, son of Mr. George B. Smith of River Falls. The Rev. Clyde Harris officiated.
The bride was lovely in a gown of brown satin crepe. She wore a corsage of yellow pom pom Chrysanthemums and gypsophila.
Miss Lora Matzek was bridesmaid. She wore a brown afternoon gown.The groom was attended by his nephew, Belmer Miller, of River Falls.At five o'clock a delicious dinner was served at Mrs. Wasson's cafe to the newly weds and their attendants, after which they departed for the Twin Cities.
According to Belmer and Lora Miller who knew Clifford and LaVerne very well, said that LaVerne's parents practically threw Clifford at LaVerne so that he would marry her. Lora said they deliberately left them alone so that they could get together, which is exactly what happened. Clifford made her pregnant, and then the Barker's gave him money to marry her. Prior to that LaVerne was taking up with Pete Peskar, and when her parents wouldn't let her marry Pete she tried to kill herself by attempting to choke herself to death by stuffing a tam down her throat(which of course didn't work)
Below is a letter I received from LaVerne Fuller in August of 1991. She had read a copy of the family history that I had given to her daughter Kate Jarchow and found several items that she thought should be cleared up. Upon reading the letter I had to agree that I had obtained infirmation from a source, Belmer Miller, that led me to arrive at conclusions that I never should have used.
LaVerne Fuller
315 N. Park St. #6
Roberts, WI. 54023 (8/11/91)
Dear George & Bette,
In reading the History of the Smiths you gave to Kate I found some things that are not right. I know it is hard to have it all O.K. but in my family you could have checked it out with Kate or I.
First: Cliff and I were never divorced. He walked out on me in January of 1962 with John only 4 yrs old and the only living was just what I was brining in. Went down to Ritas to take care of them which ended up, her having to kick him out because he kept trying to make his own daughter. Lost his job on the school route for the same reason when I was 8 months pregnant with John and never had any job for long or amounted to enough to care of us. He was hard of hearing like Geor. B. Smith was and would listen to TV (ball games, etc.) forget all about his son. I was called by people on the street in Hudson telling me my son was headed down to the river would know no depth of the river.
I ran the popcorn stand 2 yrs. after we moved to Hudson as best I could as he was tired of it.
It was my father who bought the popcorn machine from Sam G. and gave it to my husband & I to help make a living(Clifford sold it to Norm Halvorson, Kates brother-in-law and they had a park up by Johannaburgh and ran it all the years they had the park.
You forgot the saw filing & lawn mower sharpening service I helped him buy from Foley Manuf. Co. He came and took it all.
He came to my folks broke & without work in 1935 and we had a nice home on Lake St. if he would of kept his job we may of been there yet.
About burial in New Richmond. He is not buried very far from my mothers folks who lived in New Richmond since 1913. He didn't want to ever be buried near the Smiths. Uncle Charley had a lot in R.F. and Lura Smith had the papers & no one got them. That was next to the Smith lot in Greenwood cemetery. My baby is buried there. I wrote to the R.F. Journal with a signed letter back in the 80's because the snow plow had ruined the head stones of the Smiths and they, the city, did fix them.
Uncle Charley stayed with us several years & we stayed at his place when he worked in the country north of town when Rita was born. [[ He was always hearing from Lura(Wallaces wife) for money to take care of their son, Charles.]]
Cliff spent 3 year in a T.B. sanitarium up north Middle River but he didn't like it out in the sticks so we transferred him to Eau Claire. The girls were 3 & 5 yrs. Charlie stayed with us and we went on relief, welfare then. Summertime Ruth & Vern took Rita and Kate down to Floyds sister Grace at Auroraville to stay for the summer while I ran the popcorn stand to live on, no car. I hauled my supplies to town in the girls red wagon eight blocks.
There are some things I read & some dates differ. If asked we could of helped. Kate & I read together some of the history today and she thought I should write also.
Hope you are both well, Love,
Aunt LaVerne
P.S.
Floyd Smith is buried in Greenwood cemetery in a paupers grave way up on the hill side. As far as I know theres no marker. Grace was up at the time and stayed with us but she thought it was up to him to have saved his money and provided for himself.
Clifford died 10 days after my mother died in 1976
I was married Jan. 4, 1977. Not several times, only to Smith & then Fuller.
__________________________
Now, I would like to comment on the lives of Clifford and LaVerne, and I wish this to remain private--except for my children who I think should have this little bit of history.
LaVerne was right in saying she was not married several times. I got that information from Belmer Miller who I considered a first-hand source, but apparently he was quick to make judgments and commentary suited to his own tastes. However, it was easy for me to believe what Belmer & Lora told me because I saw and heard much of what occured myself, although not entirely in the loop. My mistake was in not confirming this gossip with other family members.
It was common knowledge that LaVerne was what one might term a nymphomaniac. It was also common knowledge that her parents paid off Clifford to marry her to get her settled down.
All the while she was married to Clifford she carried out an openly adultress life which she herself admitted to. She said that when they lived with Clifford's brother Charley on the farm north of River Falls, she told Belmer and Lora Miller that she slept with Charley to help pay the rent. It was also clear to my parents and the rest of the relationship what was taking place.
She also carried on openly with a farmer named Pete Peskar before and after she married Clifford. Pete had lived neighbors to the Barkers out on the County Line, and may have been the one who took her virginity as a teenager. Belmer once caught LaVerne and Pete having intercourse in the back seat of the Smith car at the Hammond fair while Clifford was tending the popcorn machine. Belmer pulled Pete out of the car, then he went and reported to Clifford what had happened. Strange as it may seem, both Clifford and LaVerne told Belmer to mind his own business--that this was their affair.
LaVerne also carried on with an older man from River Falls named Harry Knapp who would come by the popcorn stand and go off with her after she closed it up. I witnessed this myself, so I know it happened.
While LaVerne worked at Ray's Trucks Stop it is believed she carried on with any number of truckers who were customers there. LaVerne then confessed to Belmer and Lora that Ray of Ray's truck Stop was the real father of her son John Ray. This may have been the incident that led to the separation of Clifford and LaVerne.
LaVerne claims that she and Clifford never got a divorce-- they simply parted company. Clifford died on March 9, 1976, and LaVerne Married the old man named Fuller on January 4, 1977. I was a pallbearer at Clifford's funeral, and noted that LaVerne attended the funeral.
Before LaVerne married the man named Fuller we know she lived with another older unnamed man who she thought about marrying, but whether he died, or whether he simply left, we don't not know. In any event, LaVerne ended up marrying this old man named Fuller on Jan. 4, 1977. How long they were married before old Mr. Fuller died we don't know. Whatever money and possessions Fuller had now belonged to LaVerne.
After Fuller died, Laverne moved to Roberts,WI. and lived alone in a trailer house until she became almost senile. Her daughters then place her in the Lutheran Home in River Falls,WI. where she is still living as this is being written in Aug. of 1999.
In the above letter LaVerne tells of Uncle Charley being named the father of Charles Smith, the son of Lura and Wallace Smith. This was also common family knowledge, however, the detail about Lura demanding money from Charley for support of their son was news to me.
LaVerne paints a sordid picture of Clifford, and his attempt at incest with his daughter Rita. Other members of the Smith relationship would concur with this portraiture. Clifford was known to be rather bull-headed and crude at times. Art Foss told of the time he rode with Clifford and LaVerne down to Kansas to attend the funeral of Belle Annis, and Art talked about how mean and crude-acting Clifford was on that trip. Why Clifford told LaVerne he didn't want to be buried near the Smiths in Greenwood cemetery is unknown to me. I didn't know he had developed such a dislike for his father and brothers.
LaVerne mentioned the Smith headstones being disfigured by the City snowplow. That part is true, but the part about how they got repaired needs retelling. Some years later I made stainless steel plates with the names and dates etched in them, then, with the help of Belmer Miller we set them in white concrete and used them to replace the markers that had been destroyed. They are still there. I also made a marker for Ward to be place on his grave at Spooner,WI. If I had known about Floyd Smith, I would have done the same for him.
LaVerne entered the Lutheran Home on North Main St., River Falls in 1998
SERVICES
Greenwood Cemetery
Wednesday, June 25, 2005
10:00am
OFFICIATING
Reverend James Grothe
Arrangements--Cashman Mortuary, River Falls,WI
Clifford had a little musical talent, and learned to play what we call the Hawaiian guitar. He laid it on his lap and used a metal bar to operate the strings. He sang as he played. He was the winner of the Falls Theater and Station KAAA talent show with his performance of guitar playing, singing and yodeling. At that time he auditioned to play on the KAAA radio station, but nothing ever came of it.
In the late 1936 Clifford bought out the popcorn stand that was owned by "Sam" G. the pocorn man. This machine was gas fired and it was mounted on four large diameter wire spoke wheels(much like bicycle wheels). For many years Clifford sold popcorn on the South corner of Main and Elm Streets, directly across the street from the flagpole. I operated this machine for Clifford many times when I was a teenager. A man named Jennings operated a similar popcorn stand across the street Clifford's on the North corner.
Clifford and LaVerne sold out the popcorn stand and moved to Hudson where Clifford worked as a janitor for the Dibbo Cafe and LaVerne worked as a waitress in Ray's Truck Stop on the hill across from the Hudson bridge.
After a few years in Hudson Clifford and LaVerne separated. LaVerne remained in Hudson with her new young son John Ray, and Clifford moved to New Richmond,WI. where he lived out the remainder of his life. He worked as a janitor until he became too ill to work.
I visited Clifford many times in New Richmond, and he told me as much as he knew about the Smith family, but neither he nor his sister Ruth were good sources of family history. He gave me his copy of the Smith family photo taken on the wedding day of his sister Bertha Belle to Homer Annis. The last time I saw Clifford alive was at the funeral of his sister Ruth Erickson In Red Wing,MN.
I was a symbolic pallbearer at Clifford's funeral. He wasn't interred until late in the Spring. Although a grave was saved for him in the Smith plots in Greenwood cemetery in River Falls, he was buried in the southeast corner of the New Richmond cemetery.
Clifford and LaVerne were married in River Falls,WI., at the Congregational parsonage.
MARRIED -- SMITH-BARKER
River Falls Journal
A pretty wedding was solemnized at the Congregational parsonage in this city at four o'clock Saturday afternoon, December 14, 1935, when La.verne Anna, only daughter of Mr. And Mrs. Ray Barker of Kinnickinnic, became the bride of Clifford John Smith, son of Mr. George B. Smith of River Falls. The Rev. Clyde Harris officiated.
The bride was lovely in a gown of brown satin crepe. She wore a corsage of yellow pom pom Chrysanthemums and gypsophila.
Miss Lora Matzek was bridesmaid. She wore a brown afternoon gown.The groom was attended by his nephew, Belmer Miller, of River Falls.At five o'clock a delicious dinner was served at Mrs. Wasson's cafe to the newly weds and their attendants, after which they departed for the Twin Cities.
According to Belmer and Lora Miller who knew Clifford and LaVerne very well, said that LaVerne's parents practically threw Clifford at LaVerne so that he would marry her. Lora said they deliberately left them alone so that they could get together, which is exactly what happened. Clifford made her pregnant, and then the Barker's gave him money to marry her. Prior to that LaVerne was taking up with Pete Peskar, and when her parents wouldn't let her marry Pete she tried to kill herself by attempting to choke herself to death by stuffing a tam down her throat(which of course didn't work)
Below is a letter I received from LaVerne Fuller in August of 1991. She had read a copy of the family history that I had given to her daughter Kate Jarchow and found several items that she thought should be cleared up. Upon reading the letter I had to agree that I had obtained infirmation from a source, Belmer Miller, that led me to arrive at conclusions that I never should have used.
LaVerne Fuller
315 N. Park St. #6
Roberts, WI. 54023 (8/11/91)
Dear George & Bette,
In reading the History of the Smiths you gave to Kate I found some things that are not right. I know it is hard to have it all O.K. but in my family you could have checked it out with Kate or I.
First: Cliff and I were never divorced. He walked out on me in January of 1962 with John only 4 yrs old and the only living was just what I was brining in. Went down to Ritas to take care of them which ended up, her having to kick him out because he kept trying to make his own daughter. Lost his job on the school route for the same reason when I was 8 months pregnant with John and never had any job for long or amounted to enough to care of us. He was hard of hearing like Geor. B. Smith was and would listen to TV (ball games, etc.) forget all about his son. I was called by people on the street in Hudson telling me my son was headed down to the river would know no depth of the river.
I ran the popcorn stand 2 yrs. after we moved to Hudson as best I could as he was tired of it.
It was my father who bought the popcorn machine from Sam G. and gave it to my husband & I to help make a living(Clifford sold it to Norm Halvorson, Kates brother-in-law and they had a park up by Johannaburgh and ran it all the years they had the park.
You forgot the saw filing & lawn mower sharpening service I helped him buy from Foley Manuf. Co. He came and took it all.
He came to my folks broke & without work in 1935 and we had a nice home on Lake St. if he would of kept his job we may of been there yet.
About burial in New Richmond. He is not buried very far from my mothers folks who lived in New Richmond since 1913. He didn't want to ever be buried near the Smiths. Uncle Charley had a lot in R.F. and Lura Smith had the papers & no one got them. That was next to the Smith lot in Greenwood cemetery. My baby is buried there. I wrote to the R.F. Journal with a signed letter back in the 80's because the snow plow had ruined the head stones of the Smiths and they, the city, did fix them.
Uncle Charley stayed with us several years & we stayed at his place when he worked in the country north of town when Rita was born. [[ He was always hearing from Lura(Wallaces wife) for money to take care of their son, Charles.]]
Cliff spent 3 year in a T.B. sanitarium up north Middle River but he didn't like it out in the sticks so we transferred him to Eau Claire. The girls were 3 & 5 yrs. Charlie stayed with us and we went on relief, welfare then. Summertime Ruth & Vern took Rita and Kate down to Floyds sister Grace at Auroraville to stay for the summer while I ran the popcorn stand to live on, no car. I hauled my supplies to town in the girls red wagon eight blocks.
There are some things I read & some dates differ. If asked we could of helped. Kate & I read together some of the history today and she thought I should write also.
Hope you are both well, Love,
Aunt LaVerne
P.S.
Floyd Smith is buried in Greenwood cemetery in a paupers grave way up on the hill side. As far as I know theres no marker. Grace was up at the time and stayed with us but she thought it was up to him to have saved his money and provided for himself.
Clifford died 10 days after my mother died in 1976
I was married Jan. 4, 1977. Not several times, only to Smith & then Fuller.
__________________________
Now, I would like to comment on the lives of Clifford and LaVerne, and I wish this to remain private--except for my children who I think should have this little bit of history.
LaVerne was right in saying she was not married several times. I got that information from Belmer Miller who I considered a first-hand source, but apparently he was quick to make judgments and commentary suited to his own tastes. However, it was easy for me to believe what Belmer & Lora told me because I saw and heard much of what occured myself, although not entirely in the loop. My mistake was in not confirming this gossip with other family members.
It was common knowledge that LaVerne was what one might term a nymphomaniac. It was also common knowledge that her parents paid off Clifford to marry her to get her settled down.
All the while she was married to Clifford she carried out an openly adultress life which she herself admitted to. She said that when they lived with Clifford's brother Charley on the farm north of River Falls, she told Belmer and Lora Miller that she slept with Charley to help pay the rent. It was also clear to my parents and the rest of the relationship what was taking place.
She also carried on openly with a farmer named Pete Peskar before and after she married Clifford. Pete had lived neighbors to the Barkers out on the County Line, and may have been the one who took her virginity as a teenager. Belmer once caught LaVerne and Pete having intercourse in the back seat of the Smith car at the Hammond fair while Clifford was tending the popcorn machine. Belmer pulled Pete out of the car, then he went and reported to Clifford what had happened. Strange as it may seem, both Clifford and LaVerne told Belmer to mind his own business--that this was their affair.
LaVerne also carried on with an older man from River Falls named Harry Knapp who would come by the popcorn stand and go off with her after she closed it up. I witnessed this myself, so I know it happened.
While LaVerne worked at Ray's Trucks Stop it is believed she carried on with any number of truckers who were customers there. LaVerne then confessed to Belmer and Lora that Ray of Ray's truck Stop was the real father of her son John Ray. This may have been the incident that led to the separation of Clifford and LaVerne.
LaVerne claims that she and Clifford never got a divorce-- they simply parted company. Clifford died on March 9, 1976, and LaVerne Married the old man named Fuller on January 4, 1977. I was a pallbearer at Clifford's funeral, and noted that LaVerne attended the funeral.
Before LaVerne married the man named Fuller we know she lived with another older unnamed man who she thought about marrying, but whether he died, or whether he simply left, we don't not know. In any event, LaVerne ended up marrying this old man named Fuller on Jan. 4, 1977. How long they were married before old Mr. Fuller died we don't know. Whatever money and possessions Fuller had now belonged to LaVerne.
After Fuller died, Laverne moved to Roberts,WI. and lived alone in a trailer house until she became almost senile. Her daughters then place her in the Lutheran Home in River Falls,WI. where she is still living as this is being written in Aug. of 1999.
In the above letter LaVerne tells of Uncle Charley being named the father of Charles Smith, the son of Lura and Wallace Smith. This was also common family knowledge, however, the detail about Lura demanding money from Charley for support of their son was news to me.
LaVerne paints a sordid picture of Clifford, and his attempt at incest with his daughter Rita. Other members of the Smith relationship would concur with this portraiture. Clifford was known to be rather bull-headed and crude at times. Art Foss told of the time he rode with Clifford and LaVerne down to Kansas to attend the funeral of Belle Annis, and Art talked about how mean and crude-acting Clifford was on that trip. Why Clifford told LaVerne he didn't want to be buried near the Smiths in Greenwood cemetery is unknown to me. I didn't know he had developed such a dislike for his father and brothers.
LaVerne mentioned the Smith headstones being disfigured by the City snowplow. That part is true, but the part about how they got repaired needs retelling. Some years later I made stainless steel plates with the names and dates etched in them, then, with the help of Belmer Miller we set them in white concrete and used them to replace the markers that had been destroyed. They are still there. I also made a marker for Ward to be place on his grave at Spooner,WI. If I had known about Floyd Smith, I would have done the same for him.
LaVerne entered the Lutheran Home on North Main St., River Falls in 1998
SERVICES
Greenwood Cemetery
Wednesday, June 25, 2005
10:00am
OFFICIATING
Reverend James Grothe
Arrangements--Cashman Mortuary, River Falls,WI
Ruth was born on June 4, 1903 at Irma,WI. Sometime in 1904 the Smiths moved to River Falls,WI.
According to Ruth the family moved to St.Croix Falls, WI in about 1912 where her father worked for a nursery at that city. They moved back to River Falls in about 1913 or 1914.
Ruth was only 12 years old when her mother Serepta died in 1915. She was then placed in the care of Homer and Belle Annis who lived on the ApRoberts place 6 mi. northeast of River Falls along the Kinnickinnic. When Homer and Belle moved to the Dakotas, Ruth was then placed in the care of Carl and Blanche Haugness at Cumberland, WI.
When Ruth was 18 years old she was still living with Carl and Blanche(Smith) Haugness in Cumberland, and was working for the local telephone company. She met Vern Erickson who was working in Cumberland with an electric crew. She became pregnant and they were married on March 3, 1921. Ruth carried the baby boy full term, but it was stillborn at the home of Fay and Gertie Miller in River Falls,WI. They never had any other children. Then Vern and Ruth moved to Hudson,WI.
Some time in the early 1920's Vern got a job with the NSP power company at Red Wing,MN He and Ruth moved to Red Wing, and both lived out the remainder of their lives at that city.
I remember as a small child going to Red Wing with my mother to visit Aunt Ruth. Once, in 1932 Aunt Ruth took us on a tour of the Red Wing Pottery where she bought me a Bicentennial cup with a picture of George Washington on it. I used that cup all through my childhood, and still have the broken piece.
Another time mother and I went to Red Wing and Ruth took us down to the train depot to see Santa Claus come in on the train. I remember the hundreds of kids dashing to pick up candy that was being tossed from the train.
As a child I always liked Aunt Ruth and Uncle Vern because they were very good to me. I was always bothered because my Dad seemed to have a dislike for Uncle Vern. I learned later on in life the why of this. It turns out that Vern was terribly abusive to Ruth after he had been out drinking. She was badly injured many times. My Dad couldn't tolerate that sort of behavior. My Dad didn't think much of Vern and always said he hoped that Ruth would out live Vern, but she died before Vern however.
Then, LaVerne Gerhardt told me in October of 1991 how Vern tried to sexually abuse her when she was only 13 years old. She said she stayed with Ruth and Vern many times as a child, and, one time while she was staying with them Chuck and Dorothy Helmick came down for a visit. The four adults drank quit heavily one evening, and they were all very drunk by the time they went to bed. LaVerne said she was sleeping on the davenport when Vern came downstairs and tried to get in bed with her. LaVerne said she was just big enough and old enough to cause a comotion which resulted in Vern's retreating. LaVerne said she never told anyone about this incident until she told me.
Ruth was a very insecure person going back all the way to her early childhood when she was practically orphaned when her mother died. Vern treated her like a child. She rarely made her own decisions including the purchase of her own clothing. This marriage is a classic example of male domination and abuse. In spite of this, they celebrated their golden wedding and remained together until Ruth died.
Esther Zarbock came from California to attend Ruth's funeral. She stayed at the house with Vern for a least a week. Everyone raised their eyebrows over that because all knew both of these people very well.]]
Shortly after Esther returned to California, Vern tried to get LaVerne to come and live with him. He even gave LaVerne a large diamond ring that belonged to Ruth. It was a ring that Vern kept locked up in a safety deposit box at the bank. LaVerne turned him down.
Then Vern married a neighbor lady named Florence Raw. Bette and I attended the wedding ceremony that was held at the Methodist Church in Red Wing,MN
Florence was a strong personality--one Vern could not dominate. However, they seemed to get along and they stayed together until Vern died from cancer in 1986.
Vern remembered two nieces and three nephews in his will leaving each an equal share of $679.87. They were by name: Dorothy Helmick, Jean Jonson, Belmer Miller, Wilbur Miller, and George Foss.
Bette and I used a good portion of that inheritance to purchase a nice recliner chair which we call "Uncle Vern's Chair."
According to Ruth the family moved to St.Croix Falls, WI in about 1912 where her father worked for a nursery at that city. They moved back to River Falls in about 1913 or 1914.
Ruth was only 12 years old when her mother Serepta died in 1915. She was then placed in the care of Homer and Belle Annis who lived on the ApRoberts place 6 mi. northeast of River Falls along the Kinnickinnic. When Homer and Belle moved to the Dakotas, Ruth was then placed in the care of Carl and Blanche Haugness at Cumberland, WI.
When Ruth was 18 years old she was still living with Carl and Blanche(Smith) Haugness in Cumberland, and was working for the local telephone company. She met Vern Erickson who was working in Cumberland with an electric crew. She became pregnant and they were married on March 3, 1921. Ruth carried the baby boy full term, but it was stillborn at the home of Fay and Gertie Miller in River Falls,WI. They never had any other children. Then Vern and Ruth moved to Hudson,WI.
Some time in the early 1920's Vern got a job with the NSP power company at Red Wing,MN He and Ruth moved to Red Wing, and both lived out the remainder of their lives at that city.
I remember as a small child going to Red Wing with my mother to visit Aunt Ruth. Once, in 1932 Aunt Ruth took us on a tour of the Red Wing Pottery where she bought me a Bicentennial cup with a picture of George Washington on it. I used that cup all through my childhood, and still have the broken piece.
Another time mother and I went to Red Wing and Ruth took us down to the train depot to see Santa Claus come in on the train. I remember the hundreds of kids dashing to pick up candy that was being tossed from the train.
As a child I always liked Aunt Ruth and Uncle Vern because they were very good to me. I was always bothered because my Dad seemed to have a dislike for Uncle Vern. I learned later on in life the why of this. It turns out that Vern was terribly abusive to Ruth after he had been out drinking. She was badly injured many times. My Dad couldn't tolerate that sort of behavior. My Dad didn't think much of Vern and always said he hoped that Ruth would out live Vern, but she died before Vern however.
Then, LaVerne Gerhardt told me in October of 1991 how Vern tried to sexually abuse her when she was only 13 years old. She said she stayed with Ruth and Vern many times as a child, and, one time while she was staying with them Chuck and Dorothy Helmick came down for a visit. The four adults drank quit heavily one evening, and they were all very drunk by the time they went to bed. LaVerne said she was sleeping on the davenport when Vern came downstairs and tried to get in bed with her. LaVerne said she was just big enough and old enough to cause a comotion which resulted in Vern's retreating. LaVerne said she never told anyone about this incident until she told me.
Ruth was a very insecure person going back all the way to her early childhood when she was practically orphaned when her mother died. Vern treated her like a child. She rarely made her own decisions including the purchase of her own clothing. This marriage is a classic example of male domination and abuse. In spite of this, they celebrated their golden wedding and remained together until Ruth died.
Esther Zarbock came from California to attend Ruth's funeral. She stayed at the house with Vern for a least a week. Everyone raised their eyebrows over that because all knew both of these people very well.]]
Shortly after Esther returned to California, Vern tried to get LaVerne to come and live with him. He even gave LaVerne a large diamond ring that belonged to Ruth. It was a ring that Vern kept locked up in a safety deposit box at the bank. LaVerne turned him down.
Then Vern married a neighbor lady named Florence Raw. Bette and I attended the wedding ceremony that was held at the Methodist Church in Red Wing,MN
Florence was a strong personality--one Vern could not dominate. However, they seemed to get along and they stayed together until Vern died from cancer in 1986.
Vern remembered two nieces and three nephews in his will leaving each an equal share of $679.87. They were by name: Dorothy Helmick, Jean Jonson, Belmer Miller, Wilbur Miller, and George Foss.
Bette and I used a good portion of that inheritance to purchase a nice recliner chair which we call "Uncle Vern's Chair."