A LETTER NEVER SENT

Rev. Clarence Philo and Nettie Martha England

Hi again, I'm still here!  Saying that I've been very busy is an understatement.  As you may have read in one of my recent posts; It was recently passed onto me, the box with my Great Grandmother's Journals.  Yes, there is an entire box full of journals.  She made journal entries continuously for over thirty years, beginning in 1930, and she continued until her death!  I believe I have over 1300 images scanned so far.  The bad part for me, is that I hold too much interest in the subject matter.  So, I am reading and researching, more than I am scanning.  Tucked within the pages of the journals, I found that she used sewing pins to attach some newspaper articles, and other notable items.  Which also includes a four page folded letter which was never sent.  I learned so much just from this one letter, you can just imagine how much I have been learning from each and every page of the journals as I scan them.  These journals are an amazing treasure I hope to be able to share with you all very soon.

Nettie Martha England
nee Smith. Aka Grandma E.

My Great Grandmother, Nettie Martha Smith is the real author of todays blog posting.  I'm still unsure if her birth name was Janette, or Charlotte.  Usually Charlotte becomes Lottie for short, so I am thinking that Janette has become Nettie.  I Googled this question, and Google says that Nettie is short for Annette.  I'm not convinced this is true for that day-and-time.  I don't find any Annette's back in the 19th century in my family tree. So, I will just continue to leave her name as Nettie as it has been all along.

When Nettie Martha Smith was born in-between Missisquoi Bay and the border with the United States; in North Pinnacle, Saint Armand, Quebec, Canada, on August 7th, 1870.  Her father, Luther Rominor Smith Sr. was 56 years old, and her mother, Chestina, was 39.  Nettie was the eighth of nine children born to her parents Luther & Chestina Smith. Her mother began having children at 21 years of age, and finished twenty years later in 1872 at the age of 41 years. Nettie followed in her mother's footsteps. She was the wife of a Baptist Pastor, Clarence Philo England, whom she called C.P. They married on June 30, 1892, in Dunham, Quebec, Canada. Also at the age of 21 years. Together they had six children in twenty years.  Nettie lost her first and her last children. Both at young ages.  She died just one year after she wrote this letter. Passing away on January 22, 1963, in Sutton, Quebec, Canada.  She lived a long, happy and healthy life to the age of 92 years.

Rev. Clarence Philo & Nettie Martha England
The year of the photo is unknown to me at this time.
Photo probably taken by their son, Gordon Philip England.

Instead of just posting images of the four page letter. I am going to translate the handwritten letter, and make comments along the way to help the reader better understand the context, and also express the information which I have discovered.  I will post images of the letter at the end of this blog post. So if you just want to skip ahead, and just read the letter. Scroll to the bottom.

Now onto the letter! 

Grandma Nettie England, reading a letter on her front porch.

                                                              January 02, 1962, Sutton, Quebec, Canada.

     Dear Helen,
Christmas must be over but I rec'd some cards after the 25th.
     I've written a lot of letters but-haven't answered yours which I was very glad to rec'; also it-was nice for Ruth to write.  Please thank her for me.
       (Note:  Ruth Sylvia, nee Lorimer (Wenham-Haukenfrers)) is the eldest daughter of Ellsworth Leornard & Helen (Howie) Lorimer.

Ellsworth and Helen Lorimer
January 1972
Clipped from pg. 22 of the Howie Family Cookbook.

I am glad she seems to be doing well in her work.
     In fact all your family are very active.
     I used to buy a lot at Eaton's, and think I would enjoy it now if I could have you wait on me.
     Such work now is very common for married women, but really too much for 'real' home-makers.  I wonder if Ellsworth will go to help Clarence, no doubt they are anxious to get their work done.  Sometimes I've imagined that your father would like to get all his children to Calif., but don't you think B.C., just as good a place for your children?  C's and Evelyn's letter was quite interesting and pleasant to hear except about Ralph B's family, although she thought they are doing quite well taking care of themselves.
     (Note: I'm guessing that Ruth might have got a job at Eaton's, I don't think Helen was working there.  The T. Eaton Company Limited commonly known as Eaton's, was a Canadian retailer that was once Canada's largest department store chains.  B.C. is short for British Columbia.  C's and Evelyn is Clarence and Evelyn.  Ralph B's is the Bywater family.  Helen being the first Howie grandchild, Clarence being the second, Arthur the third, and Grace Marion the 4th.  Grace Howie married Ralph Clark Bywater, and she had just past away September 22, 1957, leaving her husband with five young children: three boys and two girls.)
     Those little girls are very young 7 & 9 to do much work.  Do you know when Ralph's wife left him?  Perhaps they are just as happy.  Ralph must love his children as he is determined to keep them all together.  David now 15 grown to be almost on quite a young man is at High School.  He won't for get his mother.  May be a great help to his brothers and sisters.
     I wonder how many of your cousins you remember.
     The Hastings girls are both married and Cristel has boy & girl.  Carol (a daughter) she lives either in Washington or Oregon.
     (Note: I'm on page 3, and have some clues to research.  Who is Cristel and Carol Hastings?  This was not easy at first to find, but once I discovered that Austel Hastings, who was already in my tree should be Cristel.  Then the light went on for me.   She was listed in the 1940 U.S. Census as Austel and I never had anymore on her. I need to go back to the 1940 census and correct her name.  The best clue here being a sister named Carol Hastings.  I then put 2+2 together.  They must be the daughters of Hollis Barnes Hastings (1902-1990).  He was a farmer living in Hillsborough, Somerset, New Jersey in 1940.  He is one of my 2nd cousins 1X removed.   His mother was Myrtle May Barnes (1876 - 1972), she was the daughter of Altha Almeda Smith (1854-1941).   Altha being #2 of Luthor & Chestina Smith's nine children.  Her younger sister being my Great Grandmother Nettie Martha Smith.  So, Altha is my 2nd great aunt.  Hollis Barnes Hastings married Iva Margaret Eastwood, nee Fultz. (1902 - 1981).  Together they had the two girls mentioned in the letter.  Cristel Elizabeth (Hastings) Lucia & Carol Ann (Hastings) Lundy.   Solved that puzzle! Cristel's two children are George Hastings Lucia and Margaret Louise Lucia.  Their father John Donald Lucia unfortunately past away in 1984. I now have some more new cousins. George has a daughter named Carly. I also found some very sad news here. Margaret had a son Ray Mathew Wendel.  He was in a tragic automobile accident at the young age of 16. He was driving and lost control. Went off road and the vehicle turned upside down in a creek where he drowned (1989-2006)).
     Hollis Hastings lives in Richford, but Mary H. Hilgerson has bought a house in Neshanic N.J. and this may be her last year teaching.  A real Yankee now I believe.
     (Note: I just solved above who Hollis Hastings is, but now a new clue.  Who is Mary H. Hilgerson?  I see that she is a teacher in Neshanic N.J. Hopefully that helps!  I looked at the younger sister of Hollis.  Mary M. Hastings.  Sure enough, on the 1930 U.S. Census she is listed as a teacher.   I didn't have any more information on her past 1930.  So, I searched using the parameters: teacher, Neshanic, and Hilgerson.  I found her!  She married Sgt. Douglas C. Hilgerson in Somerset, New Jersey in December 1950.  I wasn't able to find if she was able to retire from teaching in 1962.  I hope so!  She lived till age 70, passing in May of 1976.  Followed by her husband Douglas Hilgerson in August 1982.
     Harvey Clark's Nancy a graduated nurse married a Dr. and lives in North Carolina.
     (Note: Oh boy, the clues are getting a bit more challenging wouldn't ya say?  Who is Harvey & Nancy Clark?  The first born SMITH, of Luther Rominor Smith (1813-1902) was Nancy Viola Susan (Smith) Clark.   She was Nettie's eldest sister . The first out of the nine children born to my second great grandparents Luther Rominor and Chestina (Ewins) Smith.  So this makes Nancy my second great aunt. She married Potter Hazzard Clark, January 14, 1880.  They only had one child before they both past away.  Nancy passing in 1904 in Richford, Franklin, Vermont, age 51.  Potter Hazzard then moved out west to Seattle, King, Washington leaving his young little son with the in-laws, Uncle Luther Rominor Smith Jr.(1861-1927).  Luther Jr. was a farmer, and he sure had more than his share of tragedy in his life. I will share here one such story, but look for more posts in the future. As for Potter, unfortunately life did not get better. Potter caught Pneumonia when he went out west to Seattle.  He died from this illness March 04, 1905, age 53.  Just one year before the Great San Francisco Earthquake.  It was this little boy, left behind with no parents; Harvey Merritt Clark (1896 -1971) that Grandma England is referring too in her letter.  Harvey Merritt Clark worked on his Uncle Luther Rominor Smith Jr.'s farm. He was strong, eager and a healthy young man when he joined the Canadian Military, December 10, 1914 at the age of 18 years, 6 months.  He stood 5'8", had a 38" chest, hazel eyes, and brown hair.  According to the Canadian military records, he was a healthy young man. He earned $15 per month starting in March of 1915.  He was discharged two years later as medically unfit in November 1917. His war ravaged body was left fairly damaged from all that I could dare to read in the medical reports. 
Too many surgery's to remove all the metal pieces.  I also read about fractures healing, loss of sensation in his limbs, a hernia operation and tumors in his scrotum, not to mention a G.S.W to the neck. Wow! The checks were much larger from 1917 - 1919 about $70 per month all going to his Uncle Luther.  I couldn't read it all, it was all too sad.  The good thing is that he did survive the war and all his major injuries. A true War Hero! When Harvey got out of the hospital he married Winnifred, "Winnie" Frances Perkins (1894-1967).  Not sure exactly yet when they got married but I found they did have children, Edgar Miles Merritt Clark born to them in 1920, and now I have discovered "NANCY!"  Yes, I found Nancy the Nurse who married the Doctor and moved to North Carolina.  Nancy Frances (Clark) Jordan.  She married May 18, 1960 in Mecklenburg, North Carolina to Dr. Graham Alexander Bruce Jordan (1931-1979). That was a major sad story, yet a great discovery. More new 3rd cousins yet to discover!
     Your children if they should hear about all of yours and Ellsworth's second & third cousins could say Yes as I know a woman did when visiting a patient whom none but relatives could see.  (4) She told me it was through Adam her relationship came.  We hear quite often about B.C's over the Radio, but not about the fallout shelters like Diefenbaker's.  (Note: she is referring to the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, John Diefenbaker with whom she kept frequent correspondence. I just learned this little tidbit, but read below as I tried to translate the unknown name to Defiant Raker.)
     Has Ellsworth built - any?
     I am old enough not to want one in this world.
     We have a lot of snow, more than last-year.  I don't know whether or not your Uncle Arthur will get here this winter.
     Train service not so good as it used to be, so last-time he came in winter 2 days were spent here and 3 in stations or train.
     I believe they still like N. Liskeard.  As usual on Christmas & Birthdays they have lovely flowers delivered to me fresh from Knowlton.   It is good I have Esther & Gordon with me. They both keep busy.  He typing.  She mission circle, Ladies's aid and other things.  I do hope you and yours will have guidance and help from above for 1962, no matter this page is full.  A whole sheet wouldn't hold my love,
                                Grandma E.

     (Note: so, here I think she is thinking about friends and family who can visit loved ones in the hospital, and is in a way trying to make a lie seem just okay to meet the ends. I have no idea who the friend is, or who Adam was.  I don't know her humor, maybe she is being funny here and remarking on Adam & Eve.  If so, then she is very much like me here in her way of thinking.  Obviously we are all related in some way, form, or fashion. So if you make the trip to the hospital to visit someone, they sure as better let you in to see them, just say; "we are related!"  Hmmmm, B.C's... am I seeing this correctly?  In the military we use to refer to glasses as BC's. Short for birth control on account they made the person wearing them to ugly to ever get a date. I've researched: bombs, and fall-out shelters.  I am just not understanding this term from the 60's as it relates to bomb shelter devices, and what the hell is a raker? Hmmm... you've got me here. Let me know, please, if you know what she is referring to.  (Update: my mistranslation has been solved. She was referring to Prime Minister Diefenbaker. ) As to the times, and her question, "Has Ellsworth built-any?" Remember this is the 1960's, and fall-out-shelters are all the buzz!  Have a quick listen to some music I found from 1962 by Dore Alpert! 
 Here is "Fallout Shelter"!  
As for my Great Grandmother being "old enough" not to want a fall-out-shelter in her world, let us remember, she was born in 1870!  She is 92 years "Young" when writing this letter to her grand-daughter Helen Lorimer. The "Uncle Arthur" here is actually one of her sons. Grandma E. outlived three of her six children. I was fortunate enough to be able to meet Uncle Arthur; Twice!  Once at a family reunion at my Uncle Robert Howie's house in Menifee California, and then again he came to Seattle, Washington once to visit me in the 1990's when I lived there. I'm sorry, I have no clue!  I Googled, N. Liskeard. That is a place in England, not sure if I know here what Grandma E. is referring to.  Esther & Gordon are her remaining children.  Gordon England the famous pulp fiction author, and Esther,  my great-aunt, well, my sister in genealogy!  I will write a story here one day, I hope soon on all her work into family history and genealogy.)

Rev. C.P. and Nettie England

     There we have it, "The Letter Never Sent!"
Are you excited?  I know that I am.  We have just covered I believe from the 1813's through to today.  About 205 years!  We have traveled from the east coast on Canada, and Vermont, to North Carolina in the south, and then out west to Seattle, Washington, in 1905.  Way before the famous Space Needle being built some 56 years later in 1961. In a four page hand written letter you can learn so much, don't you think? This letter has really taken me on a wonderful journey.  Now you can see that if just this one four page letter can do so much, just imagine what journeys I might embark upon as I begin turning the pages of thirty years of my great grandmothers journals.  I hope you have enjoyed this letter as much as I have, and my personal comments I have added for those of you who don't know what or who the heck I am talking about.  Maybe, possibly, I will be able to find and share with you many more great stories from the journals.

I'm sorry that I don't have very many photographs to share here to make this letter, and historical journey more exciting.  I just discovered all of this!  If you are related to anyone in this story, or a child, or grandchild of anyone in this story.  Please contact me, and share any/all family photos you might have! I was going to place a link here to the Howie Family Cookbook for those of you who don't have a copy, but I can't find it right off.  The LDS library in SLC has digitized a copy, and made it available online to read.

Today's story comes from my paternal family line.  More than this, it is my father's, mother's, mother.  Nettie Martha (Smith) England, if we are looking at this from a DNA perspective.  Is up the mitochondrial line from Helen (Howie) Lorimer.  Helen's mother was Ruth Augusta (England) Howie, (1895-1935). Ruth's mother was the author here, Nettie Martha (Smith) England; and her mother was Chestina (Ewins) Smith, wife of Luther Rominor Smith. I haven't yet talked about DNA in any of my blog posts. So today is a good starting point for reference.  The haplogroup for the mtDNA for these women is V15.  That links back to the Sami people of the north. Try Googling Sami People Eyes, just for FUN!

I didn't plan to, but I am going to leave you with a sad ending to this story. I think the greatest part of this entire journey was learning more about our World War I, Canadian War hero; Harvey Merritt Clark.  He fought overseas during war.  Took shrapnel and a bullet, yet survived to raise a family which continues on today.  I hope to one day get a chance to get back and read more in-depth his Military Medical records. By the way, Harvey lived to be 74 years old, with two children that I have found living so far.  He ended up with chronic bronchitis, and chronic emphysema for the last 3-4 years of his life.  The end wasn't so great.  He was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, May 5th, 1971 with severe coughing. While still in the hospital, his heart finally gave out two weeks later, on Tuesday, May 18th, 1971 at 2:50 PM.  I guess he probably knew what to expect.  As his wife, Winnifred, "Winnie"  also died from chronic emphysema just four years prior to Harvey.  Winnie was 72!  She entered the hospital with very similar symptoms as Harvey on Friday, January 27th, 1967.  Winnie also had emphysema for several years.  But there was a medical accident just three days after her checking into the hospital. She died on Monday, January 30th, 1967 at 7:35 PM at the age of 72. The same day the crew of the U.S. Space Mission Apollo 1 lost their lives to a tragic fire in the space capsule.  I could probably locate each of these three men: Lt. Co. Virgil "Gus" Ivan Grissom (Swedish roots), Lt. Col. Edward Higgins White II (Mayflower Connection), and

Robert Bruce Chaffee

Naval commander Robert Bruce Chaffee of Michigan, in my family tree; but I am just going to end with the connection to Cmdr. Chaffee as he relates again to this story.  I believe he is a 7th cousin 2X removed.  We know that Nettie England was my great grandmother, and that her mother was Chestina (Ewins) Smith.  Well my third great grandmother was Altha Strong.  Her son William Prescott Ewins, Chestina's brother, and my 3rd great uncle, married Ruby Lucy Chaffee. If you go up Ruby's father's Chaffee branch in the tree to her 3X great grandfather we get to Jonathan Chaffee (1678 -1766) and his wife Hannah Carpenter (1684-1767). The Apollo 1 naval Commander Robert Bruce Chaffee was, if I am counting down the branches correctly the 8th great grandson of Jonathan & Hannah Chaffee.



Here is a visual to try and make this easier to see:

Here is the letter:

Pg. 1

Pg. 2

Pg. 3

Pg. 4

ERNEST GUSTAV MELLEN

Ernest Gustav Mellen

ERNEST GUSTAV MELLEN, of Pasadena, Los Angeles, California. Born Thursday, July 28, 1892, in Stora Tuna, Dalarna, Sweden. The third child born to Edla Sophia Persdotter, age 34, and Carl Gustav Andersson Melin, age 35.  He left Sweden from Copenhagen, Denmark, July 24, 1913, aboard the S.S. United States; and immigrated to the United States at Ellis Island, New York City, New York; arriving on August 05, 1913.  He did not travel alone. Celebrating his 21st birthday at sea upon the Atlantic ocean.  He made the journey with Erik Svensson, also from Stora Tuna. Just four days out at sea.

Ernest Mellen and his older
brother Carl Melin.
C. 1917 New Haven, CT.

Warm end of July nights, and heading to America. I bet these two young men were having the time of their lives with hopes and dreams just within reach. The entire sea voyage took twelve days, and included two weekends; but then what is a weekend when you are aboard a steam ship heading for America? When Ernest arrived at Ellis Island he declared he held $25, and stated also that he was joining his brother Karl Melin who already resided in the United States at 447 West 43rd Street NY. NY. When Ernest moved from Sweden to the United States it was at a time when immigrants were expected to quickly assimilate into American society and the American way of life.  He was not a farmer like so many immigrants, but a trained and skilled machinist; a highly sought out skill needed in America.  He began work right away as a toolmaker in the casting department for Marlin Fire Arms in New Haven, Connecticut. 

Miss Annie Oakley
Shot with a Marlin
(1860-1926)

Marlin Fire Arms was founded in 1870 by John Mahlon Marlin, and is still in business today; being acquired in 2007 by Remmington Arms. However, manufacturing has been moved to Kentucky.  Here I believe is where he met his bride Esther Alida Andersson.

As she it turns out she also worked at Marlin Fire Arms at the same time producing bullets on the

Esther Alida Andersson C. 1921

assembly line.

Ernest began his petition for U.S. citizenship on December 01, 1916 and it was finalized on February 18, 1920.  

Looking at all the documentation, I believe I counted at least six witnesses over the four years. 

Here is part of the oath he swore:  

Seventh. I am not a disbeliever in or opposed to organized government or a member of or affiliated with any organization or body of persons teaching disbelief in or opposed to organized government.  I am not a polygamist nor a believer in the practice of polygamy.  I am attached to the principles of the Constitution of the United States, and it is my intention to become a citizen of the United States and to renounce absolutely and forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, and particularly to Gustav V, King of Sweden of whom at this time I am a subject and it is my intention to reside permanently in the United States.

KING of SWEDEN
Gustaf V
Reign: December 8th, 1907 - October 29, 1950

Bethesda Lutheran Church
New Haven Connecticut

Ernest married my grandmother Esther Alida Andersson on Saturday, February 10, 1917 in New Haven Connecticut.  They were joined together by Reverend Carl H. Nelson in the Bethesda Lutheran Church at State and Franklin Street in that city.  During that decade the Church membership was 300, and Rev. Carl H. Nelson held services in
Swedish every-other Sunday. 

The alter painting by: Herman Sodersten
Born in Filipstad, Sweden July 12, 1862. He died July 02, 1926.
Another notable fact is that Herman also  painted Elizabeth Hosmer Kellogg Chase and Steven Wright Kellogg both distant cousins in our family tree related by 7X Great Grand Father on my paternal line Lt. Joseph Kellogg (1626 - 1704)

It is probably a good thing that the process to citizenship for Ernest took so long.  If it hadn't and he became a U.S. citizen right away, he probably would have been sent to France during WWI, and I might not be here today.  On the World War One U.S. draft registration card.  Ernest claimed exemption do to whole support of his wife, and munitions maker in support of the war effort.  I believe both my grandparents, Ernest and Esther did their part in the war producing guns and bullets which were used to bring about peace to the world. 

Edla Sofia persdotter
(1857-1917)
Great Grand Mother

His mother had died during the same year.  His mother, Edla Sophia Persdotter died Saturday, December 01, 1917 in Stora Tuna, Dalarnas, Sweden at the age of sixty years.  From the Swedish death index it appears she died of dropsy.  Today this is known as edema.

From the city directories and government documents I now begin to trace out his residence. 

1917: I found Ernest living near Yale University at 15 Audubon St. New Haven. His brother just living a few blocks away.  

June 5th, 1917 he and his new bride moved to 319 Norton Street. 

Google Image today c. 2016
100 years later!
319 Norton Street. New Haven, Connecticut

Then in 1918-1923, they are living in a home apartment. The home owned by Axel L. Kruckenberg, 49, a house painter, and his family: wife, Helma, 53, both of Sweden. Their son 20, and daughter 12, both born in Connecticut.  The home was at 166 1/2, Peck Street. 

Google Image Aug. 2015
166 1/2 Peck St. New Haven, CT.
My grandparents and my Uncle Ivar as a baby
lived here for five years prior to moving to California.

ISSUE to Ernest & Esther: Also see prior MELIN story.

1) My uncle: Ivar Ernest, b. 21 May 1920, New Haven.

2) My mother: June

C. 1921  Little Ivar Mellen looks as though he is barely sitting up.  Since he was born in May of 1920, I dated the photo c. 1921.  His mother Esther Alida is to his left, and his father Ernest Gustav Mellen is behind him.  I am not positive who the young woman holding the dog is, but I know who she isn't if that makes sense.  After many years of looking back and forth over images, I am 98% sure that this is Anna Matilda (Melin) Jonsson.  However, she has very similar looks to my mother, and to that of Eshter in this photo.  Esther had a younger sister Anna Karonlina who married Helmer Emanuel Brobeck in 1915.  So, I am fairly sure she didn't travel to America.  The dog also rules that out. 

I didn't locate them in 1924, but I found a mention in the New Haven city directory that they removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I still need to follow that lead further.  Then in 1925 I located them living on Grant Hill, at 440 27th Street at Island Avenue, San Diego California.
That house is no longer standing.

Ivar Mellen as a baby, and his parents Esther and Ernest Mellen.
The confusion here is that this photo album page says San Diego, California, U.S.A.
Obviously Ivar was not a four year old child in this photo.  Possibly these two photos are of different dates.
Little Ivar is bundled up, and there are no leaves on the tress.  I must assume then it is fall of 1921 in Connecticut. The photo on the right of Esther and Ernest Mellen is possibly even earlier looking at both their ages. Again I have to go with a guess. I searched, and found a rose garden in both New Haven Connecticut, (Pardee Rose Garden), and in Grant Hill, San Diego.
Comparing the photo of them with the dog C. 1921, and the photo above, I think this photo is C. 1917.
circa 1917 - 1925.

1928 they are living at 325 N. La Fayette Park Pl., Los Angeles, CA.
There is a new home now at this location.  

1930, 367 N. Reno Street, Los Angeles CA. According to the U.S. census, they owned that home.  They were no longer renters.  The value of the home was shown as $5,500, and they lived there with my uncle Ivar, their son.  They were also shown at 353 N. Reno St.  Both are gone now, replaced with HWY 101.  

1932-1939 the family moved to 516 N. Coronado St. Los Angeles, California, then 616 N. Coronado St. then 528 N. Coronado St.  All of these are gone now, replaced with HWY 101. 

1940, 6200 Roy Street, Los Angeles, CA.  @Corner of Eastview Drive.

Ivar Ernest Mellen with his sister June Margurite Mellen C. 1943
908 N. Avenue 65, Los Angeles, California.
Ivar listed this as his address in 1941 when he married Jane Louise Miller.

1941-1943, 908 N. Ave 65 Los Angeles, CA.  That is a really nice Spanish Style home.  

908 N. Ave 65, Los Angeles California

What a beautiful home in the Highland Park neighborhood.  You can still see the stair rail where my mother and my uncle Ivar sat for the photo above back in 1943.

In the 1940's my grandfather Ernest was working for Adel Precision Products Corporation, at 1077 Van Owen Street., Los Angeles, CA.  At that time, the United States was now involved in WWII.
He was a machinist there building parts which were used in the building of highly top secret military aircraft. Ernest was then in his 50's.
I found some old collectible employee badges online from this company and era, but none were of my grandfather.

I also found online this old 1938 stock certificate.

I also found these magazine ads online from 1943.

My uncle Ivar E. Mellen joins the U.S. Army, WWII.

Google image Oct. 2014
620 N. Chester Avenue, Pasadena, California.

1944 - 1954, This next home is on the historic register in Pasadena.  620 N. Chester Avenue, Pasadena, California.  This home is in the bungalow heaven of Pasadena, next to Orange Grove Blvd.  Ten years of enjoying the Rose Parade going by their house annually on New Years Day. This is the home I believe as the story was told, that had a house fire.  Prohibition was 1920-1933.  My grandfather was known for making his own "Rootbeer" in the garage. Some how there was an accident and the fire started.  Some rabbits were also being raised in cages in the garage at the time and perished in the fire.  My mother just remembers that her bike that she worked so hard to earn the money for, had also burned in the fire.  Thank goodness no one was seriously injured.

Ernest & Esther Mellen C. 1950

Ernest & Esther Mellen C. 1950

The two photos above of Ernest and Esther Mellen are actually the same photo, I just enlarged, and clipped the photo.  The shake style front to the house and the window behind the two unknown men looks to me to be the 620 N. Chester Ave house above.  A closer view of the window bellow clearly defines this house and the era.

C. 1953 Ernest Gustav Mellen, Pasadena California
620 N. Chester Avenue

Ernest Gustav Mellen past away, Monday, July 27, 1953 at the age just one day shy of his 61st.  He was laid to rest at Mountain View Cemetery and Mausoleum in Altadena, Los Angeles, California.  Also on that day Armistice ended.  The Korean war began June 25, 1950, and ended July 27, 1953.  My grandfather through his line of work as a machinist helped to support World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

Ernest Gustav Mellen C. 1910

The final image is of a very young Ernest G. Mellen.  Probably just prior to immigration. He appears to be about 18 years old, so I gave this photo a date of C. 1910.  The Melin family was living in Islingby, Stora Tuna, Dalarna, Sweden at that time.

I would like to add information regarding the siblings of Ernest, and all his cousins, but I have run out of time.

I Always Thought We Were CANADIAN

It is really cold outside!  When I look back through old photos, I see that in general, this week has a history of being cold.  In 2013, I have photos of my dog, Davis playing in the snow.

On January 25, 1924 the first Winter Olympics began at Chamonix, in the French Alps.  It was called, "The International Sports Week."  Prior to this, the Nordic Games were held in Sweden, but only Scandinavian countries competed.  After World War One (WWI),  Antwerp, Belgium held the VII Olympiad in 1920.  This was the Summer Olympics, and countries that participated in the War were not invited.  Ice hockey was introduced that year, and the matches were played between April 23 and April 29th. In the Palais de Glace d'Anvers
Shown here:

The Palais de Glace d'Anvers  1920

Here is a photo of the first hockey team to represent the United States.

U.S. Olympic Hockey team c. 1920.  Leon Parker Tuck, back row, second from the right.

The United States took the Silver Medal.  With Canada taking the Gold.  Here are the teams:

Leon Tuck

When the team arrived on the ice in The Palais de Glace d'Anvers the team uniform had a look similar to that of today.

Leon Parker Tuck from team photo. 1920

Leon Tuck seen on the far right

The United States took the Silver, but Canada took the Gold.  The headlines highlighted the Falcons.

This story gives light to Leon Parker Tuck.  In my last post I introduced members I have found in my family tree who were involved in the Olympics. Now that I have approximately 21,000 people in my tree, you can imagine I just might find a few more Olympians.  Leon Parker Tuck, while in my family tree, is way out on the tips of a branch you might say.

Leon was born May 25, 1891, in Winchester, Massachusetts. 

Leon Parker Tuck

But his roots are deep in CANADA.  From his WWI draft card, he was twenty-six years old, and working for A. E. Little Manufacturing in Lynn, Massachusetts. He was making shoes, but had joined the ROTC three weeks prior for training in Madison, New York.  So he was able to claim exemption from the draft.   He went to Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, playing hockey for three years, and captaining the hockey team his senior year.  He had dark hair, hazel eyes, weighed 181 lbs. and stood, 5 foot, 8 1/2 inches.  He graduated from Dartmouth in 1915, and joined the American Air Service fighting the war on the Western Front over France.  After the Olympics, Leon went back to Dartmouth as a coach from 1921 - 1924.  During all this, he was also manager for the local General Ice Cream Corporation, a company later bought, and closed by Kraft Foods.  He married Joyeuse "Gladys" Frances Gray in 1927, and they honeymooned on a ship cruise to the bay of 

2 Winthrop Street. Winchester, Mass

Tivives, Costa Rica, traveling through the Panama Canal.  Leaving New York Harbor January 26, 1927 aboard the S.S. Tivives, returning to New York February 17, 1927.  According to the ships manifest, they listed their residence as 2 Winthrop Street, Winchester, Massachusetts.  Where we find a beautiful home built in 1897 still standing today.  Right in the heart of Winchester. His parents lived a block away on Washington Street in a home built in 1850 which also still stands today directly across from Lincoln School in Winchester. 

The two were married for twenty-five years, until her tragic death from an automobile accident, December 19, 1952 in Princeton, New Jersey. The accident put her husband Leon Tuck in the hospital, but he survived.

Joyeuse (Gray) Tuck 1927 

Leon Tuck ~ President Wilson Nov 1918 Boston Post

Leon Parker Tuck died nine months later, September 02, 1953 at the age of 62.  

His father, Whitfield Leon Tuck, as introduced in the above newspaper clipping was a firecracker of a man! He was my first cousin, 1x removed of wife of 1st cousin of wife of my 2nd great-uncle.  I told you this branch was way out on the tips.  Lets start with my 2nd great uncle, you many remember him from a prior story. James Alexander Howie (1855 - 1926).  His wife you might remember was Clara Elnett Hand (1856 - 1919).  Her 1st cousin was Ashbell H. Hand, and his wife was Emma Adelaide (George) Hand (1848 - 1902).  Emma's father was Robert Channell George, and his mother was Abigail (Burnham) Channell, and his father was Abraham Fitz John Channell.  When Robert's mother, Abigail passed away in 1794, his father, Abraham took on a second wife, Wealthy Cox (1782 - 1862).  Together, Abraham & Wealthy had Susan Channell (1816-1877).  This is the 1x removed part.  Susan married John Carie Tuck (1808-1880).  They were the parents of Whitfield Leon Tuck.

Since I brought up Abraham Fitz John Channel, before I go on more about Whitfield, I want to briefly mention Abraham who was born in London November 24th, 1748.  As a young lad, he apprenticed as a tailor. Before the indentures of apprenticeship expired he was forced by compulsion, in others words, impressed into the British Navy to work aboard a Naval Man O War.

The war in New England, we know as the Revolutionary War.  While in America, he transferred to a frigate to supply the British troops with needed goods. The ship was captured by pirates, and he escaped when he reached Boston Harbor.  He joined the Continental Army and fought the British under the command of General George Washington.  He was engaged in several battles, but especially the battle of Sullivan's Island, at Fort Sullivan near Charleston South Carolina.  After the Revolutionary War in 1776, be became a tailor in Boston Massachusetts.  Here he met and married Abigail Burnham in 1780.   Before her death in 1794, they had six children together, to include one set of twin girls, Betsey and Sarah.  After her death he married Wealthy Cox, and the family moved to Canada.

In 1833, their daughter Susan, at the age of 17 years, married John Carie Tuck Esq.  They had many children before Whitfield arrived in 1855.  Remember, James Alexander Howie was also born that year.  So, these cousins, who may/not have known each other were born at the same time, in about the same area.  I say it in such a way because according to both the 1861 & 1871 census records of Canada, both families were members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and probably knew each other through Church and local activities.   In 1875 Whitfield moves to Derby Line, Vermont.  The next year, in 1876, James A. Howie marries Clara Hand.  Then, in the 1880 U.S. Census of Vermont, we now find the James Howie family living in Vermont.  The Howie's must have kept two farms, because later, in the 1891 Census of Canada we find the James Howie family back in Quebec, when their son, Robert Maitland Howie was born. Link to Robert Maitland Howie story

Whitfield Leon Tuck 06 APR 1887 Naturalization 

The commonwealth of Massachusetts Naturalization papers for Whitfield Leon Tuck provided me a HISTORY lesson.  I knew I should have known better than to ditch my history class in school when we were learning about Canadian History.  I have been doing genealogy research for so many years, and this was eye opening.  Often, when doing research, you will find in documents nativity listed as Great Britain, or British.  I always thought this was in error, because my family came from CANADA.   I am just now learning that Stanstead, Quebec, Canada was in the dominions of Victoria, Queen of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.  I quickly had to learn about confederation, and post confederation.  I also learned all about the designation Upper Canada, and Lower Canada.

In 1875, Whitfield Tuck started off as a clerk.  Then moved into the roll of salesman.  He liked what he was doing, and was good at it, so he started his own business.  Whitfield Tuck Dry Goods Co. On Thames Street in Newport Rhode Island around 1895.

In the 1880's we find him back and forth between Rhode Island, and Boston.  In 1884 he marries Susan Elisabeth Parker (1860-1936), the daughter of George Fredrick Parker & Sarah Jane Munroe.

I mention George Fredrick Parker because I must guess this is who helped inspire Whitfield to go into service of the people/politics.  Although, I still need to do more research of G.F. Parker, but from the many census records I looked at, George is either listed as an author, or journalist, or capitalist, or no occupation at all.  So far what I have found is a book he co-authored titled Grover Cleveland.

I think anyone that close to the President of the United States might have some influence on ones life.

Susan died in 1936, and her obituary speaks more about her husband, and father than it did of herself.

Susan E. Tuck @ 63 Washington St. Winchester, Massachusetts

Somewhere, somehow Whitfield got very interested in politics.  His name appears in many newspapers, books, magazines etc.  He joined and participated heavily with commerce and trade organizations. He was a Democrat, as was Grover Cleveland, and Woodrow Wilson.  In 1915 he was the only one in the State House to stand up and oppose the Ship Bill.  The bill passed, but before it did the House asked him who he was.  He said "I am Whitfield Tuck, from Winchester Massachusetts."  I called Whitfield a firecracker earlier, when I began his story; so, I will end with a political cartoon of the time, from the Boston Post.

"I make a demand that these hearings cease until the Legislature decides whether it will abolish this commission Mr. Chairman!"

Political Cartoon Whitfield Leon Tuck 1916 The Boston Post

"Citizen Whitfield Tuck and Gerry Brown can always be depended upon to keep the hearings from becoming too monotonous..."

Whitfield L. Tuck was the father of Olympian Leon Parker Tuck.