Ed's Day Wednesday
Dear FOLKS,
I am again here to share a collection of family history information left by my late cousin Ed Ostrom. This week we continue to explain the information we have about the Reinert and Dora Emerson family. We'll first discuss their marriage and then we'll learn about the lives of their children.
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| IMAGE: The wedding couple, Reinert Immanuel Emerson and Dora Elisa Nilson. Taken in July 1898. From the family photo collection of Edwin J. Ostrom. |
While searching the internet for marriage information of Reinert Emerson and Dora Nilson, I came across this entry in the Minnesota Official Marriage System:
Marriage Certificate:
Certificate Number: A-19B
Date of Marriage: 07/23/1897
Applicant 1: R. EMMERSON
Applicant #2: DORA NELSON
Yikes, I thought to myself. This date is OFF by one year !!! Dora Nelson the bride had told us in her memoirs that she was married in 1898. Cousin Ed's tree had repeated the 1898 date. But this is Minnesota State's Historical Society's database index. One would think that to be correct.
So was it 1897 or 1898? I knew I had to order the certificate from the Meeker County Treasurer in Litchfield. So right away I sent off a request. Next I continued to work on my next blog post and in the background I am pondering when would I see it and what would I see.
While I waited, I reviewed the bride's memoirs. Dora had said in her story, "So on March 19, 1898, I boarded the train for Seattle....The $10 ticket was extended in July so Nellie felt she should take advantage of it. She prepared to go back with me. She took Palmer and Grace with her. She stayed a few weeks...Shortly after my return home, Reinert and I were married. We were married in Litchfield, Meeker County by the Justice of the Peace. Our witnesses were Reinert’s cousin, E. Christopher Benson and sister Lena. We were married in the daytime. We drove horse and buggy twenty miles." So these are her memories of the wedding.
On October 6, 2016, I found an envelope in the mailbox from Meeker County Treasurer. I was so excited to open it. Here is a copy for you to see:
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| IMAGE: Certified copy of CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE for R. J. Emerson and Dora Nelson. Original in the file of Darlene Steffens. |
MEEKER COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE
325 Sibley Avenue North
Litchfield, MN 55355-2155
Phone: (320) 693-5345 Fax: (320) 693-5217
SHARON M. EUERLE County Treasurer
BETTY A. SCHULTZ Deputy Treasurer
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE
STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF Meeker BOOK G PAGE NO:300
I, hereby certify, that on July 23, 1898 at Litchfield in said County
I, the undersigned, a Judge of Probate did join in marriage:
R. J. Emerson of the County of Kandiyohi State of MN, and
Dora Nelson of the County of Meeker State of MN
Witnesses:
Miss Lana Emerson and Mr Christ E. Benson
Officiating Person: O.H. Harris
Officiator's Address: Litchfield, MN.
Officiator's Credentials Recorded in Meeker County, Minnesota
Filed/Recorded on: September 28, 1898
H.S Augell, Clerk
By: Dianne Tyree
State of Minnesota Office of County Treasurer
County of Meeker
Transcripts [County of Meeker Seal]
I hereby certify that the within is full true
and complete copy of the original filed and
transmitted to the State Department of Health.
Sharon M. Euerle, Meeker County Treasurer
Date: October 3, 2016
Signed Dianne Tyree
-------- transcription ends --------
So there it is! It says July 23, 1898. Just as I hoped it would show. It also collaborates Dora's memory of the names of the witnesses, Lana Emerson and Christ E. Benson and that they before a judge to be married.
I know what you are possibly thinking... But this is a recent transcription of the document that is on file. Can I believe what is says? For now I have little choice. It is the practice of Meeker County to send a transcription. In a positive aspect, it states that it is a full true and complete copy and the year was written twice as 1898. Two independent entries, once to state the date of the marriage event, and second, the date the document was filed and recorded. That helps me to believe it to be the true date. My next step is to contact the Historical Society to see if they are able to correct their database.
It is a romantic story in that this young man, Reinert, missed his girl, Dora, so much that they were married soon after Dora's return from Seattle. Not wanting to spend any more time single, they ventured to Litchfield to be married in front of a judge.
So now that we have settled the date conflict and our happy couple is now contentedly married. We'll move to the second portion of today's post.
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| IMAGE: Emerson children ca. 1948. Standing L to R: Ray Emerson, James Emerson, Ole Emerson, Oliver Emerson, William Emerson. Sitting: Estelle Emerson Olson, Geneva Emerson Meyers, Lola Emerson Ditch, Alice Emerson Ostrom, Ruby Emerson Baarstad. Front: Ivene Emerson Goemaere, Vivian Emerson Cowe, Verola Emerson Ralston. From the family photo collection of Edwin J. Ostrom. |
Ruby Della Emerson was born near Irving, Kandiyohi, Minnesota on 1 August 1899. She moved with her parents from Minnesota to Ward County, North Dakota. She would finish school and earn a certificate to teach from a Normal School; initially teaching in a school near her home; her teaching assignments included Barnes Co. ND, and then in Ransom Co., ND. It is here where she would meet Morris Baarstad (b. 2 Dec 1900), the son of Frederick and Hannah Baarstad. On 29 November 1922 Ruby and Morris would marry in Minot, ND. Initially Morris would try farming, while Ruby continued to teach. When the children came, Ruby left teaching to take care of her little ones. They would try farming in a few different places in North Dakota and Minnesota. But with the conditions being difficult they moved into town where Marris tried various kinds of work. August 1941 would find them in Minnesota and they would pack up their family and move to Seattle, where her parents had relocated. They would have five children, 4 boys and their youngest, a girl. Morris' occupation in 1951 was a carpenter. On 9 Jul 1972 they celebrated their Golden Anniversary with an open house that was hosted by their children. Morris would die 12 May 1991 in Bothell, Snohomish Co., Washington. Ruby would die on 09 Jan 2000 at the age of 100, also in Bothell. They are both buried in Floral Hills Cemetery in Lynnwood, Snohomish Co., Washington.
James Alden Emerson was also born near Irving, Kandiyohi, Minnesota on 26 Jun 1901. As a young man, James left North Dakota, striking out to homestead near Eaglesham, AB, Canada. He registered for a homestead in 1922. Eventually brothers Ole and Ray would join him there. James would marry Leontine Socquet on 19 Dec 1942. Leontine was born o7 May 1901 in Manitoba, Canada and was the daughter of Leon Socquet and Marie Harve'. James would farm, have a saw mill and a planer, preparing into lumber logs brought to him. James and Leontine would have two daughters who hosted a gathering to celebrate their parent's 25th wedding anniversary. James would pass away in Kelowna, BC, Canada on 28 Dec 1987. It is thought that he and his wife had retired to Kelowna. Leontine would also die in Kelowna on 09 Nov 1996.
Geneva Pernella Emerson was also born near Irving, Kandiyohi, Minnesota on 02 Apr 1903. She would move with her family to Ward County, ND. She would marry Martin Leo Meyers on 29 Apr 1924 in Chehalis, Lewis Co., Washington, the son of Anthony Leo Meier and Annie Louisa Heimbach. How that came about is unknown at this point. Geneva was 21; was she the first of her family to relocate near Seattle? She and Martin had two sons. Martin was in World War I and had a lot of stories to tell from that experience. He then resided in Los Angeles, CA but left there because of earthquakes. This move found him in Washington too, where he would meet Geneva. They would live in north Seattle for many years where Martin was a concrete contractor. Martin would die on 23 Jun 1979 in Bothell, King Co., Washington. Geneva would also die in Bothell on 13 Feb 2009.
Lola Loella Emerson was the last of the Emerson children to be born near Irving, Kandiyohi, Minnesota. She was born on 12 Feb 1905. She too would move with her family to the homestead in Torning Township. She would marry a neighbor boy whose family lived near Rice Lake. This young man was Stuart Ervin Ditch. His alternate name is Irvin Stuart Ditch, son of Silas Clayton Ditch and Sadie Florence Graham; born in Monroe, Linn Co., Iowa. Stuart would tell that he was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Sometimes folks claim a larger or more well known place of birth to identify with. The young couple would marry on 28 May 1927 and they would live with Stuart's parents until 1930. In June of 1930 they would begin their move to Eaglesham, Alberta, Canada, with Stuart traveling by train first and then Lola following soon after on June 27, 1930. Here they would make a home and have three children, two daughters and a son. Stuart would die from a heart attack on 23 January 1968 and Lola would pass away too on 01 December 1995. Both would die in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada and would be buried in the City of Grande Prairie Cemetery.
William Emerson would be the first of the Emerson children to be born on the new family homestead in North Dakota on 02 Nov 1906. Bill would continue his love of farming and open spaces. He helped his parents close up their farm and move to Seattle in 1936 and returned back to North Dakota as he felt hemmed in by all the trees. On 10 August 1942 he would marry Marion Selma Nyquist, a young lady he had met in Minot. Marion, born 09 July 1924, was the daughter of Harman Nyquist and Martha Ulledahl. They were married in Sidney, Richland County, Montana on 10 August 1942. Marion's father had past away and there were still young children her mother had to provide for; I am of the opinion that the Nyquists moved to Montana at the invitation of mother's brother. William married her there. William and Marion would have one son and two daughters. William would die on 30 Aug 1998 in Minot, Ward County, North Dakota and he was buried there in the Sunset Memorial Gardens. No more records are found for Marion.
Ole O'Bryan Emerson was born on the family's homestead in Torning Township, Ward County, North Dakota on 21 Jun 1908. In 1928, at the age of 20 Ole left home to homestead near Eaglesham, Alberta, Canada. The Canadian government had opened up the area to homesteading and encouraged immigrants, especially from the U.S. Land was inexpensive to acquire, so Ole headed north and along with him came a younger brother. These two would join their brother James Emerson who was already there. Other folks from Ward County also emigrated to Canada, one in particular was Ruth Helene Larson (born 22 September 1912) in Ward County. Ruth was the daughter of Syver Spurgeon Larson and Helene Helgeson, emigrants from Ward County to Eaglesham, Alberta. Ole and Ruth would marry 24 November 1934 in Grande Prairie, Alberta. Ole did a lot of various work, helping neighbors build homes and barns, worked the saw mill with his brothers, farmed, owned a meat market in town for a while; but farming was his preference. Ole and Ruth would have seven children, three boys and four girls. Ruth was killed in a head-on collision between two cars. According to Ole, "On December 5th, 1972, upon returning home from a Christmas Carol Festival, we were hit head-on by a small vehicle driven by a very intoxicated person. Ruth's brother, Louis, and wife, Olive, had just moved to Kelowna and were with us, as well as Gayleen. Both Ruth's and Louis' lives were taken in this accident." Ole would return to farming near Eaglesham and it was here where he died on 23 January 2000. Ole and Ruth were buried at the Pleasant Heights Cemetery in Eaglesham.
Oliver Winfield Emerson was born on 28 May 1916 at the family's homestead. Prior to 1935, Oliver would strike out on his own and head to Seattle, Washington. His sister, Geneva was already there and he may have headed there because of an invitation from her. One occupation in Oliver's history was being a truck driver in the sand and gravel industry. Oliver would marry Gertrude Violet Johnson who was born on 08 March 1917, the daughter of Vernie Sumner Johnson and Louise Wilhelmine Koehler. Gertrude was a Ward County native and she would travel to Washington possibly because of Oliver as they were married on 02 July 1938 in Seattle. Oliver and Gertrude would have three children, two girls and a boy. Oliver would die on 23 October 1984 in Granite Falls, Snohomish County, Washington and Gertrude died on 04 January 1997 in Marysville, also in Snohomish County. They were both buried in Abbey View Memorial Park in Brier, Snohomish, Washington.
Ivene Alvina Emerson was born on 09 Jan 1918 at the family's homestead. She would go to Minot, North Dakota to work and would meet Clarence "Clink" Robert Yonaka who was born in North Dakota. Clink was the son of Lewis E. and Emma B. Yonaka. Ivene and Clink would marry on 02 August 1936 and have two children, a boy and a girl. During World War II Ivene parented their two children while her husband served in the Army Air Corps., living in Pendleton, Umatilla, Oregon. In 1945 this couple would divorce. Then in 1951, Ivene married Val T. Goemaere in Snohomish County, Washington. Val grew up around Renton, Washington and owned a truck company transporting petroleum products. Val and Ivene would not have any children. Ivene would die on 21 Sep 2014 at a nursing home in Shoreline, King County, Washington.
Verola Angeline Emerson, an identical twin, was on 12 Jun 1920 at the family's homestead. She and her sister would move with their parents to Seattle, Washington while in high school. Verola, or "Verie" as she liked to be called married William Douglas Ralston during World War II. William went by the name Doug and he was the son of Floyd C. Ralston and Stanfield E. Jones. Verie and Doug would have two children, one boy and one girl. They would divorce in California in April 1972. Verie would die in a Ventura, California hospital on 27 November 2003. Her remains were cremated and following Verie's instructions, her family would scatter her ashes half-way up Winfield Mountain outside of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Vivian Vera Emerson, an identical twin, was on 12 Jun 1920 at the family's homestead. Vivian would marry a young scotsman who had immigrated to the U.S. from Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Harry Watt Cowe, who was born on 17 March 1918, became a naturalized citizen on 20 September 1940. He was the son of David Cowe and Margaret Watt. Vivian and Harry would marry on 28 October 1945 in Seattle, Washington. They had one child, a daughter. Harry would die on 25 August 2010 in Seattle, King County, Washington. Vivian died on 14 May 2014 also in Seattle. Both are buried at Acacia Memorial Park in Lake Forest Park. King County, Washington.
There were two more children that our family had that are not shown here. These two are still living, so I'll not write about them here. Most of the facts and events mentioned were those collected by cousin Ed.
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The URL for this post is: http://homefolktales.blogspot.com/2016/10/the-emersons-wedding-and-family.html.
Please comment regarding this post on the website by clicking the URL above and then use the "Comments" link at the bottom of each post. Or contact me by email at dsteff4246[at]gmail[dot]com. Glad you stopped by today. Have a wonderful week.
Copyright (c) 2016, Darlene M. Steffens. All rights reserved.
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