Annalisa — Robert Eugene Grand. [Group Sheet]

Annalisa married Mark David Brown, Sr [Group Sheet]

1. Mark David Brown, Jr

Robert married Cecilia Ann Obenland [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Fact 1: Pop never used Henry in his name. I didn't even know about it until I found his amended birth certificate online in 2017
• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 22716822
• Race: White
• Social Security Number: 503-07-4902
• Name: "Pop" to his sons and daughters-in-law; "Papa" to his grandchildren
• Residence: 1920, Mankato Ward 1, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA; Age: 4; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Residence: 1930, Elkton, Brookings County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 15; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Residence: 1935, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1935, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 25; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• _MILT: Between 1941 and 1945; United States Army
• _MILT: 25 Jun 1941; Enlisted in the United States Army; Age: 26
• Occupation: Between 1945 and 1950, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; owner of the bakery there
• Residence: Between 1945 and 1950, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• _MILT: 29 Aug 1945; Released from the United States Army; Honorable Discharge
• Residence: Between 1950 and 1955, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: Between 1954 and 1993, Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, USA
• Occupation: Between 1957 and 1980, Glassel Park, Los Angeles County, California, USA; baker at Van de Kamps Company Headquarters
• Last Residence: Sep 1993, Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 909 N Electric Ave
• _FUN: 25 Sep 1993, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; graveside services at Norway Lutheran Cemetery

Notes:

Buried:
Norway Lutheran Cemetery; 56-03

Died:
Alhambra Community Hospital, in the emergency room

William married Orpha Marion Henjum 21 Jun 1941, Pipestone, Pipestone County, Minnesota, USA. Orpha (daughter of Oscar Norman Henjum and Lillian Mae Hustead) was born 18 Dec 1918, Britton, Marshall County, South Dakota, USA; died 21 Feb 1989, Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, USA; was buried 25 Feb 1989, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 22294908
• Race: White
• Name: Nana to her grandchildren
• Social Security Number: 504-40-1443
• Residence: 1930, Sherman, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 11; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Baptism: 1 Jun 1933, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Norway Lutheran Church
• Residence: 1935, Sherman, Minnehaha, South Dakota; Age: 16
• Occupation: Between 1953 and 1989, Alhambra, Los Angeles County, California, USA; secretary at Grace Lutheran Church on Atlantic Ave.
• _FUN: 25 Feb 1989, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Chapel at Miller Funeral Home

Notes:

Buried:
Norway Lutheran Cemetery; 56-02

Died:
Age at Death: 70; she died in her sleep at home at 909 N Electric Ave

Other Events:

• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 21791114
• Race: White
• Occupation: Los Angeles County, California, USA; worked in the purchasing department at North American Aviation, Inc; Autonetics Division, an aviation and aerospace company (See Notes)
• Residence: Between Sep and Nov 1952, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 34 Naomi Ave
• Residence: Between Nov and Dec 1952, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, USA; N 5th Street
• Social Security Number: 560-18-0139
• Residence: Between 1907 and 1909, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
• Residence: May 1907, Shreveport, Caddo County, Louisiana, USA
• Residence: Between 1909 and 1913, Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1910, Everett Ward 2, Snohomish County, Washington, USA; 3402 Colby Ave
• Education: Between 1911 and 1912, Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, USA; attended a parochial elementary school
• Education: Between 1914 and 1915, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Pasadena Elementary School
• Residence: Jul 1914, Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA
• Education: 1915, Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA; Goldfield Elementary School
• Residence: Nov 1915, Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA
• Residence: 1916, Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA
• Associations: Between 1919 and 1921; Boy Scouts of America
• Education: Between 1920 and 1922, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; Richmond Elementary
• Residence: 1920, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 413 10th St
• Education: Between 1922 and 1924, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; night classes at Richmond Union HIgh School
• Education: Between 1924 and 1926, Berkeley, Alameda County, California, USA; Berkeley High School
• Associations: Between 1924 and 1926, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; Junior Elks
• Associations: Between 1924 and 1926, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; Order of De Molays
• Associations: Between 1926 and 1934, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, #1251
• Occupation: Between 1926 and 1930, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; worked for his father at G.F Obenland, Jeweler; 921 MacDonald Ave.at the corner of Harbour Way; the building is gonr; it's now a little park
• Graduation: Jun 1926, Berkeley, Alameda County, California, USA; Berkeley High School
• Residence: 1929, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA
• Occupation: Between 1930 and 1941, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; supervisor at the Savoy car park at 537 Grand Ave. (Today we call it a parking lot)
• Occupation: 1930, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; timekeeper in a porcelain factory
• Residence: 1930, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 429 11th St
• Residence: Between 1935 and 1938, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 910 Grand Ave at The Imperial Hotel
• Residence: Mar 1935, California, USA; marriage certificate in 1935 states he was living in Richmond, CA but that can't be true, as he also lists his occupation as being in the parking business which he did in Los Angeles.
• Residence: Between 1938 and 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Toberman St.
• Residence: 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 108234 31st Street
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Age: 34; Marital Status: Divorced; Relation to Head of House: Lodger
• Residence: Between Oct 1940 and Nov 1946, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1123 Sunset Blvd
• Occupation: Between 1941 and 1944, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA; leadman for Douglas Aircraft Company
• Occupation: Between 1944 and 1951, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; he and Geraldine had a jewelry store at 1217 S Baldwin Ave in the business district in downtown Arcadia
• Residence: 1944, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1123 Sunset Blvd.
• Associations: Between 1946 and 1947, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; West Arcadia Businessmen's Association, Inc..
• Residence: Between Nov 1946 and Feb 1947, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 11324 Inglewood Ave; with his mother
• Residence: Between Mar 1947 and Apr 1948, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1519 S Baldwin Ave
• Associations: Between 1948 and 1949, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; Lions Club
• Residence: Between Apr 1948 and Sep 1951, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1419 Lovell Ave
• Residence: Between Sep 1951 and Aug 1952, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 11324 Inglewood Ave, with his mother
• Residence: 1952, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 311 W Foothill Blvd at the Aztec Hotel
• Residence: Oct 1954, Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 11324 Inglewood Ave, with his mother
• Residence: Between Oct 1954 and 1957, Lakewood, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 6129 Seaborn St, with third wife, Dorothy
• Physical Description: Jun 1957; 5'8", 155 lbs, with blue eyes and auburn hair
• Occupation: 1962, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA; inspector at North American Aviation Company
• Residence: 1962, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 206 69th Way
• Residence: Between 1963 and 1974, Placentia, Orange County, California, USA; 502 W Center St.
• Residence: Between 1965 and 1974, Placentia, Orange County, California, USA
• Residence: Between 1974 and Jan 1982, Lake Isabella, Kern County, California, USA; 221 Piute Mountain Rd
• Last Residence: Jan 1982, Weldon, Kern County, California, USA; 221 Piute Mountain Rd
• _FUN: 11 Jan 1982, Wofford Heights, Kern County, California, USA; St Jude's Catholic Church; Monsignor Denis J Doherty officiating
• Burial: Abt 1991, Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Holy Cross Cemetery; Section D, Lot 217, Grave 7. He was moved so his last's wife's new husband could be buried there with her.

Notes:

Harold Obenland was born in Birmingham, Alabama on July 3, 1905. His parents were Gustave Franklin Obenland and Anna Veronica Malarkey. (Also spelled at times Malarky, Mullarkey, etc.) Anna's sister, Lauretta Malarkey (Laura) was Harold's Godmother.

Harold had a child out-of-wedlock, Donald Lee Obenland, who was born July 15, 1925 in Oakland, California. The mother's name was Mary Jane Flaugher, as per the birth certificate. For 30 years, Harold's daughter, Cecilia, has searched for Donald. Please see his memorial for Donald's story.

Harold married Mildred Lovena Whaley Smalley on March 24, 1935. They later divorced.

On June 30, 1940, he married Geraldine Cecilia Huston, from Los Angeles. They were married in Yuma, AZ. Two children were born to them: Michael Edwin Obenland (11/19/1947) and Cecilia Ann Obenland (4/23/1949). Harold and Geraldine later divorced, which was final on March 3, 1953. However, they had been living apart for some time prior to that.

On Oct. 23, 1954, Harold married Dorothy Fern Watson in Lakewood, California. They had one child, Laurie Lynn Obenland, born in 1956. Their divorce was final in either 1958 or 1959.

Harold went to work in 1957 for North American Aviation, Inc in their Autonetics Division. On June 14, 1957 he completed a "Department ofDefense Personnel Security Questionaire." (Form DD48) He also signed Form DD48-1, "Certificate of Nonaffiliation with Certain Organizations." Listed on this form were more than a page (in small print!), listing organizations the Attorney General had "designated has having interests in conflict with those of the United States." This questionaire also states, "Security classification of materials or information employee will have access to: SECRET."

The DD 48 says, "Security classification of materials or information employee will have access to: SECRET" and "Contract number under which the employee is to be cleared: NAVAHO AF-33 (600) - 28469." I couldn't find much about this contract on the internet. What I did find was that it pertained to "Guided Missile Project MX-770, worked on by North American Aviation, Missile Development Division in Downey, CA in the mid to late 1950's." However, Wikipedia states, "Officially, the program was canceled on 13 July 1957, after the first four launches ended in failure. In reality the program was obsolete by mid-1957 as the first Atlas ICBM began flight tests in June and the Jupiter and Thor IRBMs were showing great promise. These ballistic missiles however would not have been possible without the liquid fuel rocket engine developments accomplished in the Navaho program. The launch of the Soviet Satellite Sputnik in October 1957 only finished Navaho as the Air Force shifted its research money into ICBMs. But the technologies developed for the Navaho were reused in 1957 for the development of the AGM-28 Hound Dog, a nuclear cruise missile which entered in production in 1959."

However, a book, "US Air Force Tatical Missiles, 1949-1969" by George Mindling and Robert Bolton, states on pages 57-58 that the MX-770 project produced the SM-64 Navajo Missile. I don't know for how long it was in use. I do know that Harold worked for North American Aviation until his retirement, which was probably about 1970.

Harold's last wife was Myrtle Ann Thompson. They were married in 1959. Their marriage announcement was in the Los Angeles Times on Dec. 13, 1959. They were still married and living in Weldon, CA when Harold died.

He was first buried in Kern River Valley Cemetery. Later, Myrtle had him moved to Holy Cross Cemetery where his mother and Aunts are buried. I don't know why Myrtle did that...maybe so she and her last husband could be buried together.

Harold was a jeweler like his father for a time and even owned a store on Baldwin Ave. in Arcadia, CA while married to Geraldine. Later, he worked for North American Aviation, in Long Beach, CA. Harold was an avid camper and fisherman and spent many vacations in the Sierra Nevada mountains. And yes, he was a ladies man! His cousin Mary called him a "Vagabond Lover."

NOTE for Oct 11, 2012: I've finally uncovered Marion Flaugher and her son, Donald's stories. I'm not too keen about my Dad right now. I'm disgusted that he was 20 and got a 16 year old girl pregnant. Did he know about the pregnancy? Did Marion tell him? I wish I knew.

NOTE: In August, 1961, Harold filed for divorce from Myrtle, but they later reconciled. (The Independent; Long Beach, CA, page 54, column 3).


Buried:
Kern River Valley Cemetery; Block 173, Lot B6

Died:
Kern Valley Hospital

Harold married Geraldine Cecilia Huston 30 Jun 1940, Yuma, Yuma County, Arizona, USA; divorced Between 1952 and 1953, Clark County, Nevada, USA. Geraldine (daughter of James Lee Huston and Emma Cecilia Bachmann) was born 21 Aug 1915, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; died 17 Oct 1968, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; was buried Oct 1968, Pasadena, Los Angeles County, California, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 8861307
• Race: White
• Social Security Number: 563-03-0689
• _ORDI: Los Angeles County, California, USA; bacteriologist, bookkeeper, drapery sewer and even a donut maker at Winchell's Donut Shop in South Pasadena, CA
• Residence: Aug 1915, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 610 N Berendo St
• Residence: 1920, Los Angeles Assembly District 63, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 601 N New Hampshire; Age: 4; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Daughter
• Residence: 1930, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
• Address: Mar 1933, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Address:
  4225 1/4 Monroe St
• Address: 22 Apr 1938, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; Address:
  1184 Madison Ave.
• Residence: Between 1944 and 1948, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1123 Sunset Blvd
• Residence: 1950, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1419 Lovell Ave
• Residence: 1952, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 34 Naomi Ave
• Residence: Between 1953 and 1954, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 214 San Antonio Rd; I wrote this number when I was researching old Arcadia City Directories at the Arcadia Library in 1978. Today, 28 Feb 2014, the number does not exist on Google Earth. I believe I wrote the number down wrong in 1978.
• Occupation: 1954; bookeeper for Anderson Typewriter Company
• Residence: 1955, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 220 San Luis Rey Rd
• Residence: Between 1956 and 1957, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 754 Arcadia Ave
• Occupation: 1958, Los Angeles County, California, USA; bookkeeper
• Residence: 1958, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 624 W Huntington Dr Apt 5
• Residence: 1959, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 810 Fairview Ave
• Residence: 1960, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 518 1/2 W Longden Ave
• Residence: 1963, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1008 W Huntington Dr, Apt 7; the "Ranch House" apartments
• Residence: 1963, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 514 W Huntington Dr
• Occupation: 1964, Los Angeles County, California, USA; bookkeeper
• Residence: 1964, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1127 W Duarte Rd, Apt B; the "Monaco Aptartments".
• Residence: 1965, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; The Derby Motel on Huntington Dr
• Residence: 1966, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; apartments on Mytrle Ave, behind businesses
• Residence: Between 1967 and 1968, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 148 B La Porte
• Last Residence: Oct 1968, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 148 B La Porte
• _FUN: 23 Oct 1968, Monrovia, Los Angeles County, California, USA; in the chapel at Temple & LaGorge Mouruary; Rev Bruce Stafford of the First Methodist Church officiating

Notes:

Geraldine was born in Los Angeles in 1915. Her parents were James Lee Huston and Emma Cecilia Bachmann Howe. (The Bachmann was Emma's name at birth; Howe was her last name by adoption.) Geraldine had one brother, James Francis Huston.

Geraldine's father was a traveling salesman and her mother Emma kept house.

Geraldine's brother James was a musician, playing trumpet with pal Phil Harris back in the 1930's in the Los Angeles area. (The Phil Harris who sang "The Bear Necessities" in the cartoon, The Jungle Book.) James, or Jimmie, as his family called him, committed suicide just off CA 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) near the Malibu pier in 1937. Back then it was called Roosevelt Highway.

Geraldine grew up in Southern California. At one time she lived on Beachwood Dr, in Hollywood, near the big "Hollywood" sign. She told her daughter, Cecilia, how they would go to the beach to a fancy place called the Edgewater Club. (Location unknown.)

Geraldine was married to George David Adamson on March 2, 1933 in Los Angeles County, CA. They divorced in 1939 in Los Angeles County, CA (#3180546)

On June, 30, 1940, Geraldine married Harold Edwin Obenland, of Los Angeles, in Yuma, AZ. There were two children from this marriage: Michael Edwin and Cecilia Ann. The couple made their home in Arcadia, CA. Geraldine and Harold's divorce was final on March 3, 1953.

During her lifetime, Geraldine worked as a bacteriologist, bookkeeper, drapery sewer and even a donut maker at Winchell's. Times were tough because both of her children suffered from severe asthma and it was hard for Geraldine to keep a job when she was always having to rush the kids to the emergency room.

At one time, in about 1962, Geraldine was out of money, so she wrote bad checks to feed her family. She was eventually arrested and actually taken to the jail in Arcadia, where she and her children lived. Her daughter can still remember the minute Geraldine decided to do that. They were walking home along Duarte Rd in Arcadia. Michael came to meet them and got upset when his mother said she had no money for food. Geraldine told her daughter, "I know what I have to do." To this day, Cecilia regards her mother as a heroine even though writing bad checks is illegal.

Geraldine always warned her two children about the "green eyed monster", and had lots of sayings that she used often. She would say, "Pride goeth before a fall" and "You can't get blood out of a turnip." She'd say this during hard times...unfortunately, the landlord couldn't get blood out of a turnip, but he sure could kick us to the curb! My favorite saying Geraldine used was, "That's a bunch of hooey!"

Geraldine died in a convalescent hospital in Monrovia, CA after a long bout with cancer. She was only 53. Her ex-husband, Harold paid for the funeral arrangements. During the funeral, he told their daughter, Cecilia that Geraldine was the only woman he had ever loved.


Buried:
Pasadena Mausoleum. Even though her ex-husband paid for "permanent storage," in 2004 I found her ashes had been stored in the basement of the cemetery for the last 35 years. I brought the ashes home where they how reside in my living room.

Died:
Mon-Arc Convalescent Hospital; 615 W Duarte Rd

Other Events:

• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 26646093
• Race: White
• Occupation: Proprietor
• Occupation: Shiping Clerk
• Occupation: Warehouseman
• Residence: 1900, Mankato Ward 2, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA; Age: 7; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Residence: 7 Jun 1905, Mankato Ward 1, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA; Age: 13
• Occupation: 1910, Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA; laborer at a stone quarry
• Residence: 1910, Mankato Ward 1, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA; Age: 18; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Step Son; Relation to Head of House: Stepson
• Residence: 1920, Mankato Ward 1, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA; Age: 28; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Residence: Between 1928 and 1932, Elkton, Brookings County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1930, Elkton, Brookings County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 38; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Residence: Between 1932 and 1942, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1935, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1935, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 48; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Residence: Between 1942 and 1962, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1944, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1945, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1947, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Last Residence: Jun 1962, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; 702 S. Hawthorne
• Alternate Date of Death: 7 Jun 1962
• _FUN: 16 Jul 1962, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Miller Funeral Home; Rev S. L. Dangaard officiating

Notes:

Buried:
Hills of Rest Memorial Park; Section A, Lot 97, Grave 4

Albert married Hattie Smith 25 Dec 1911, Hospers, Sioux County, Iowa, USA. Hattie (daughter of Hendrik Smith and Seijerdina Romberg) was born 15 Jan 1894, Orange City, Sioux County, Iowa, USA; died 6 Jan 1947, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; was buried 9 Jan 1947, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 26875006
• Race: White
• Occupation: Saleslady
• Residence: 1900, Floyd, Sioux County, Iowa, USA; Age: 6; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Daughter
• Residence: 1910, Floyd, Sioux County, Iowa, USA; Age: 16; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Daughter
• Residence: 1920, Mankato Ward 1, Blue Earth County, Minnesota, USA; Age: 25; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
• Residence: 1930, Elkton, Brookings County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 36; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
• Residence: 1935, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Flandreau, Moody County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 46; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
• Residence: 1944, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1945, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1947, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Last Residence: Jan 1947, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; 517 N Sherman Ave
• _FUN: 9 Jan 1947, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; at her home at 517 N. Sherman Ave., later at Faith Lutheran Church

Notes:

Buried:
Hills of Rest Memorial Park; Section A, Lot 97, Grave 3

Other Events:

• Race: Caucasian
• Race: White
• _EMPLOY: Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; worked for Northwestern Bell Telephone before retiring in 1961
• _MILTID: 3956989
• _MILT: Between 4 and 11 Nov 1919, France; private in the United States Army; 14 M.G Battalion, 5th Division, fighting in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, AKA the Battle of the Argonne Forest. The offensive ended with the sudden news of the German armistice
• Baptism: 15 Mar 1896, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Norway Lutheran Church; Godparents were Michael and Karen Arnsan and Anders Flove and Bertha Nesheim
• Residence: 1900, Edison Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 4; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Residence: 1900, Edison Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 4; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Residence: 1910, Edison Township, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 14; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• _MILT: 23 Jul 1918, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; enlisted in the United States Army
• _MILT: 4 Sep 1918; left the United States for Europe
• Physical Description: Jul 1919; 5' 5 3/4" tall, blue eyes, brown hair with a ruddy complexion
• _MILT: 22 Jul 1919; returned from France
• _MILT: 29 Jul 1919, Johnston, Polk County, Iowa, USA; Honorable discharge at Camp Dodge
• Residence: 1930, Sherman, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 33; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Burial: 2 May 1981, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Messiah Lutheran Church

Notes:

Buried:
Norway Cemetery; Lot 47

Died:
Royal C Johnson Memorial Veteran's Hospital

Oscar married Lillian Mae Hustead 13 Mar 1918, Sherman, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA. Lillian (daughter of Joseph Cornelius Hustead and Mary E Williams) was born 11 Sep 1898, Rutledge, Scotland County, Missouri, USA; died 24 May 1993, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; was buried 28 May 1993, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Associations: Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; member of Messiah Lutheran Church
• Race: White
• Name: Lillie
• Residence: Between 1918 and 1952, Sherman, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: 1930, Sherman, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Age: 31; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
• Baptism: 1 Jun 1933, Garretson, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Residence: Between 1952 and 1993, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA
• Last Residence: Between Mar 1990 and May 1993, Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Luthern Manor
• _FUN: 28 May 1993, Baltic, Minnehaha County, South Dakota, USA; Minnehaha Funeral Home

Notes:

Buried:
Norway Lutheran Cemetery; Lot 47

Died:
Lutheran Manor

Other Events:

• Associations: Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Richmond Lodge #1251
• Associations: Oakland, Alameda County, California, USA; Member of the Onetah Tribe of Red Men
• Race: White
• Occupation: jeweler, sometimes with his own store. He was also a traveling jeweler, known for his "motor home".
• Occupation: watch maker and jeweler
• Residence: 1880, Sonoma, Sonoma County, California, USA
• Residence: 1887, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 16 May 1892, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1898, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1900, East Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA
• Occupation: Aug 1904, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA; engraver
• Residence: Aug 1904, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
• Residence: 1905, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama USA
• Residence: Between Jun 1907 and Sep 1908, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
• Residence: Between 1909 and 1913, Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1910, Everett Ward 2, Snohomish County, Washington, USA; 3402 Colby Ave
• Residence: Between 1914 and 1916, Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA
• Residence: 1920, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 413 10th St
• Residence: 1929, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA
• Residence: 1930, Menlo Park, San Mateo County, California, USA; 925 Roble Ave
• Residence: 1934, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, USA
• Residence: 1942, Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California, USA
• Residence: Between Sep 1943 and Mar 1994, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA; 184 8th St
• Probate: 1944, Pomeroy, Garfield County, Washington, USA; Case #1169

Notes:

On September 26, 1877, Gustave Franklin Obenland was born. He was the son of German immigrants Ernst Gottlieb Obenland and his wife, Mary Agnes Burkhart. Gustave, or Gus, as he was called, was born in Glen Ellen, Sonoma County, California.

Sonoma County is sometimes called the Valley of the Moon, or Valley of the Moons. The Miwok tribe named the area "Valley of the Moon" or "Many Moons" because their legends had it that the moon seemed to rise from the valley or may have rose multiple times in just one night.

Gus had five siblings: Christian G.E, Elizabeth Louise, Adolph Emil, Bertha Rose and Anna Agnes. Their father was a farmer while Mary kept house for the family.

In the fall of 1881, Ernst moved his family to Pomeroy, Garfield Co., Washington Territory. The 1898 Census of Garfield County, Washington lists 20 year old Gustave as working as a laborer. Later, he worked as a clerk in a grocery store.

In 1902, Gus went to Philadelphia where he learned the jeweler trade. During his time there, he completed a large pewter engraving that showcased his engraving skills. This engraving is kind of like a sampler that young girls embroidered during the 1700's and 1800's.

While in Philadelphia, Gus met a young seamstress named Anna Veronica Malarkey. He and Anna were married on August 30, 1904 in Anna's hometown of Girardville, Pennsylvania. They had one child, a son they named Harold Edwin, born on July 3, 1905 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Gus and Anna moved around quite a bit during their marriage. Records show them living in Birmingham, Alabama; Shreveport, Louisiana; Ft. Worth, Texas; Everett, Washington; Goldfield, Nevada and Richmond, California.
At one time, Gus owned a jewlery store in Richmond, at 917 McDonald Ave.

On September 12, 1918, Gus registered for the draft of WWI. His registration says that he was of medium height and build, with blue eyes and red hair.

Gus was an avid fisherman, a sport that seemes to run in the family. His brother Adolph and son Harold were all fishermen. Even his great-grandson Keith, born in 1976, also loves to fish. Gus was even arrested in 1924 in Oakland for having taken too many crabs from the ocean. (see attached article). In the 1920's, Gus was an active member of the Richmond Lodge #13, Knights of Pythias. An article in the Oakland Tribune from September 25, 1921, states that he had been elected Prelate of the lodge. I assume this must mean president.

The actual date of Gustave's divorce from Anna is unknown, but it had to have been between 1920 and 1930. They are listed together in at 413 10th Street in Richmond, California during the 1920 Census. The 1930 census shows Gus, as single and living at 925 Roble Ave. in Menlo Park, a city just southwest of Richmond in San Mateo County, California. In that census, Gus owned the house which had a value of $5,000 at that time. Living with Gus was a Hilda Moore, who was his housekeeper. Whether she actually was his housekeeper at that time is unknown. She might have just been living with him as his "paramour".

They eventually did live as man and wife, and Hilda told people that they were married. Letters and depositions in Gus's granddaughter's possession state that prior to his death, Gus had told his brother Adolph that he and Hilda were NOT married, even though she claimed they were. After Gus's death, Hilda claimed she and Gus were married in a town outside of Tiajuana, Mexico. When pressed, she couldn't remember the name of the town, nor could she produce a wedding certificate or any witnesses to the marriage.

In 1943, Gus moved back to Pomeroy, where he had grown up. Hilda went with him. Gus purchased a large Victorian house at 184 8th Street. The purchase price was $2,000. The deed was made September 1, 1943 and recorded in Garfield County on September 16, 1943. (Volume 42, page 303) Two months later, Gus transfered the house to Hilda, with the deed signed on November 3, 1943. The recording date of this deed is unknown at this time.

On March 14, 1944, Gus passed away. He and Hilda had made the trip to Lewiston, Idaho for some errands. While waiting in his car for Hilda to finish her shopping, Gus died. The cause of death on the death certificate says, "patient dead when I arrived. Evidentally due to coronary thrombosis." Gus's residence listed on his death certificate was 681 4th Street in Pomeroy. He was not living in the house on 8th Street when he died. Gus died without a will. At least, that is what Hilda said!

Only ten days after Gus's death, on March 24, 1944, Hilda signed a deed transferring the house on 8th Street to Gus's cousin Ray Shuck and his wife, Zelda. They purchased the house for only $10. This deed was not recorded until July 25, 1944.

In the terms of Anna's divorce from Gus, she was awarded monthly alimony. Gus's son, Harold, fought for part of his father's estate, as his mother, Anna, was owed about $9,000 in back alimony, which was a lot of money in those days.

An affidavit from a George Bromage stated that his ex-wife Ada Bromage was an old friend of Hilda's. Hilda had enlisted the help of Ada Bromage and Zelda Schuck in Pomeroy to help Hilda remove from Pomeroy the cash and jewelry of Gus's estate. Together, the three women smuggled about $35,000 in cash and jewelry from Pomeroy to Mr. Bromage's house in California, just after Gustave's death. Some of the money went to White Bird, Idaho.

In the end, the court awarded Hilda the estate. There was nothing left to be awarded to Anna, as the court valued the estate at under $3,000. This, of course, did not include the cash and jewelry smuggled out of Washington by Hilda and her accomplices, which comprised the bulk of Gustave's estate.

Gus was buried in the Pomeroy City Cemetery. Hilda left Pomeroy shortly after the estate was settled and moved to San Francisco, California. She died two years later. One wonders if she sold the gold and jewelry smuggled out of Washington and what she did with all of the money? Did she die without spending it all? If so, what happened to it?

Buried:
Pomeroy City Cemetery, Lot 7.5, Grave 7

Gustave married Anna Veronica Malarkey 30 Aug 1904, Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA; divorced Between 1925 and 1929, California, USA. Anna (daughter of John J Mullarkey and Mary Joyce) was born 29 Mar 1882, Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA; died 30 Mar 1962, Long Beach, Los Angeles County, California, USA; was buried Apr 1962, Culver City, Los Angeles County, California, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Alternate Spelling of Last Name: Mullarkey, Malarky, Mallarkey, etc
• Associations: Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; member of the "Richmond Club."
• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 21804174
• Race: White
• Baptism: 2 Apr 1882, Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA; St Joseph's Catholic Church by Rev Daniel O'Connor; Sponsors Michael and Bridget Kilker
• Occupation: 1900, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA; dressmaker
• Residence: 1900, Philadelphia Ward 15, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
• Occupation: Aug 1904, Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA; housekeeper
• Residence: Aug 1904, Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, USA
• Residence: 1905, Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama USA
• Residence: 1907, Shreveport, Caddo County, Louisiana, USA
• Residence: Between Jun 1907 and Sep 1908, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
• Residence: Between 1909 and 1913, Everett, Snohomish County, Washington, USA
• Residence: 1910, Everett Ward 2, Snohomish County, Washington, USA; 3402 Colby Ave
• Residence: Between 1914 and 1916, Goldfield, Esmeralda County, Nevada, USA
• Residence: 1920, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 413 10th St
• Associations: 1925, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; elected 2nd Vice President of newly formed Northern California Federation of Republican Women
• Residence: 1925, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 429 11th St
• Residence: 1929, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA
• Residence: 1930, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 429 11th St
• Residence: 1934, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 429 11th St
• Residence: 1935, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 439 11th St
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 439 11th St; Age: 58; Marital Status: Divorced; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Residence: 1942, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 439 11th St
• Residence: Dec 1946, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 439 11th St
• Residence: 1953, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 439 11th St/
• Residence: 1957, Richmond, Contra Costa County, California, USA; 439 11th St

Notes:

Anna Veronica Mullarkey was born in Girardville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania. Her parents were John and Mary Mullarkey (nee Joyce). There are quite a few ways of spelling the name Mullarkey: Mullarkey, Malarky, Malarkey, Mallarkey, etc.) Anna was baptized on April 2, 1882 at Saint Joseph's Catholic Church in Girardville. On the baptismal records her last name is spelled Mullarkey. Anna's Godparents were Michael Kilker and Bridgett Kilker.

Anna's parents were both born in Ireland. Anna was one of 8 daughters and two sons born to John and Mary.

The 1900 Census showed Anna living in Philadelphia at 634 S. 16th St. Her sisters Marguerite and Lauretta, and a brother, Joseph also lived there. (We think Joseph might be the son on one of the sisters, but we have no proof as of 2008.) Anna and her sisters were all listed as dressmakers. They had 5 lodgers and one servant, Gracie Plumb, a black woman.

In Anna's trunk, her granddaughter found a large mother of pearl button. Scraped on the back of it is this: "Boston '96 Love my love shall ever be thine." Did Anna scratch this on a button, intending to give it to a beau? Or did one of her admirers give it to her? I guess we'll never know.

Anna married Gustave Franklin Obenland on August 30, 1904 in Girardville, Pennsylvania. They had one child, a son they named Harold Edwin, born on July 3, 1905 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Anna and Gus moved around quite a bit during their marriage. Records show them living in Birmingham, Alabama, Shreveport, Lousiana, Ft. Worth, Texas, Everett, Washington, Goldfield, Nevada and in California.

The date of Anna's divorce from Gustave is unknown as of 2007. We do know that after the divorce, Anna lived in Richmond, Ccalifrnia and took in boarders.

Sometime before 1947, Anna moved to Inglewood, Los Angeles County, California. I would assume the move was prompted by her desire to be closer to her son, Harold. The 1947 birth announcement for Michael, Anna's first grandchild, shows she was living in Inglewood, in care of her sister, Lauretta. When Lauretta died in 1949, Anna stayed on in Inglewood.

I can remember going to her house in the 1950's and eating Campbell's Chicken Gumbo soup. I also remember her phone was an old crank one. She had quite a collection of beer steins on her dining room buffet. I can still see in my mind the old crank-up phonograph with the large horn in her bedroom.

As an interesting side note, in the terms of Anna's divorce from Gus, she was awarded monthly alimony. When Gus died, he owed Anna $7,750. Anna was never able to collect anything from Gus's estate, because a relative of Gus's, Gus's new wife (?) (No record has been found of a marriage.) and her friend smuggled Gus's money and other valuable items out of the state of Washington and into California and Idaho. In return, the relative and his wife were given Gus's house in Pomeroy, Washington. A person with intimate knowledge of it all signed a sworn affidavit to that effect.

Anna was either living in Long Beach or Inglewood, California at the time of her death. She is buried in the same grave as her son and surrounded by her sisters Lauretta, Rose, Theresa, Marion and Marion's husband, Hector Gillis.

Anna left behind one son, Harold. She also had three grandchildren, Michael Edwin, Cecilia Ann and Laurie Lynn.


Buried:
Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery; Section D, Lot 217, Grave 7

Other Events:

• Alternate Place of Birth: Kentucky, USA
• Race: White
• Alternate Date of Birth: 1869
• Residence: 1880, Paducah, McCracken County, Kentucky, USA; Poplar St; Age: 12; Marital Status: Single; Relation to Head of House: Son
• Occupation: 1910, Los Angeles County, California, USA; traveling shoe salesman
• Residence: 1910, Los Angeles Assembly District 73, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 1502 W 11th St; Age: 43; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Occupation: Aug 1915, Los Angeles County, California, USA; traveling salesman
• Residence: Aug 1915, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 610 N Berendo
• Occupation: 1920, Los Angeles County, California, USA; shoe salesman
• Residence: 1920, Los Angeles Assembly District 63, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 601 N New Hampshire; Age: 55; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Head
• Occupation: May 1922, Venice, Los Angeles County, California, USA; "of leisure"
• Residence: May 1922, Venice, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 31 24th Ave (He and Gertrude were living together)
• Last Residence: Sep 1935, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 811 S Union Ave

Notes:

James Lee Huston was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to James A and Elizabeth Huston. Elizabeth's maiden name was Elizabeth Morgan Johnson. Both of James Lee's parents were born in Kentucky. Elizabeth was born in Johnson Junction, which is not on any of today's maps. Johnson Junction was in Fleming County. I believe that it is now called Flemingsburg.

James married Emma Cecilia Bachmann Howe in Kansas City, MO on Jan. 20, 1908. Emma was the adopted daughter of Frances R. Howe of Porter County, IN. (See Emma's bio on Find a Grave under Emma Price.)

The couple settled in Los Angeles, CA where they had two children, James Francis and Geraldine Cecilia. Emma kept house while James worked as a traveling saleman. On one Census, it says he sold shoes.

In January, 1922, James and Emma were divorced. The records are in Los Angeles County, D3058. James then married his housekeeper, a widow named Gertrude Johnson, in Venice, CA on May 27, 1922. On the marriage certificate, James' occupation is listed as, "a man of leisure." James was 53; Gertrude 45.

James Lee died in Los Angeles on Sept. 19, 1935 at 9:30 AM of heart disease, with a contributing factor of cerebral thrombosis. He had been ill from September 2nd.

As yet, I don't know where James is buried. His death certificate states that he was buried on September 21, 1935. The place of his burial is listed as the University of Southern California. The funeral director is listed as LA County General Hospital, and he was not embalmed. Could this mean that his body was donated to science? I just don't know at this time.


Died:
Los Angeles County General Hospital

James married Emma Cecilia Bachmann 21 Jan 1908, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, USA; divorced Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA. Emma (daughter of Unknown Unknown and Magdalena Bachmann) was born 18 Mar 1881, Oldenburg, Franklin County, Indiana, USA; died 27 Sep 1963, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; was buried 17 Oct 1963, Rowland Heights, Los Angeles County, California, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Alternate Place of Birth: Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, USA
• Find A Grave Memorial Number: 25907326
• Race: White
• Name: Emma Cecilia Howe
• Name: Records at St Ann's Orphans' Asylum for Girls state her middle name wa
• Physical Description: Sep 1899, Porter, Porter County, Indiana, USA; 18 years, 5' 6" tall, medium high forehead, brown eyes, slightly Roman nose, medium mouth with thin lips,slightly curved, slightly prominent chin, dark brown hair, olive complexion, oval face, inclined to be long
• Adopted: 26 Sep 1904, Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana, USA; Superior Court Cause No. 924
• Residence: 1910, Los Angeles Assembly District 73, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 1502 W 11th St; Age: 29; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
• Residence: Aug 1915, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 610 N Berendo St
• Residence: 1920, Los Angeles Assembly District 63, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 601 N New Hampshire; Age: 37; Marital Status: Married; Relation to Head of House: Wife
• Residence: Oct 1924, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 2202 Beachwood Dr. (Just below the "Hollywood" sign on the hill)
• Residence: 1930, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 334 N Kingsley Dr.
• Residence: 1935, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
• Residence: Mar 1937, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 671 N Mariposa
• Occupation: 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; cook for the Eugene H and Mary J Rosenthal family
• Residence: 1 Apr 1940, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 140 S Las Palmas; Age: 58; Marital Status: Divorced; Relation to Head of House: Cook
• Residence: Aug 1942, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA; 140 S Las Palmas
• Residence: Dec 1949, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1114 Baldwin Ave
• Residence: 1950, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 1114 S Baldwin Ave
• Residence: 1952, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 34 Naomi Ave; with daughter and her children
• Residence: Between 1953 and 1954, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 214 San Antonio Rd with daughter & kids; I wrote this number when I was researching old Arcadia Directories at the Arcadia Library in 1978. today, 28 Feb 2014, the number does not exist on Google Earth. I believe I wrote the number down wrong in 1978.
• Residence: 1955, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 220 San Luis Rey Rd; with daughter and her children
• Residence: Between 1956 and 1957, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 754 Arcadia Ave; with daughter and her children
• Residence: 1958, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 624 Huntington Blvd, Apt 5; with daughter and her children
• Residence: 1959, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 810 Fairveiw Ave; with daughter and her children
• Residence: 1960, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 518 1/2 W Longden Ave; with daughter and her children
• Last Residence: Sep 1963, Arcadia, Los Angeles County, Califonria, USA; 514 W Huntington Dr

Notes:

Emma's middle name is listed as Mary on her intake records at St. Ann's Home in Terre Haute, Indiana. However, she always used Cecilia.

According to a letter written by Emma to her children in the 1930's, Emma was the daughter of Magdalena Bachmann, who was the daughter of Gervais Bachmann and his wife, Magdalena Weiderle (or Wiederle).

Gervais and his wife came to the United States from Germany in 1846, landing in New Orleans. They had 5 children, born in Ohio and Indiana: Rosina, George, Mary, Anna Elizabeth and Magdalena.

The younger Magdalena had a son out-of-wedlock, Albert Louis. His father was a neighbor, Monroe Gloshen.

My grandmother, Emma, was her second illegitimate child. I don't know who Emma's father was. It could have been Monroe Gloshen again or someone else. For some reason, Albert stayed with his mother and grandparents in Franklin County, Indiana. However, when she was about 2 1/2 , Emma was sent to St. Ann's Orphans' Home in Terre Haute, to be raised and educated by the Sisters of Providence, from St. Mary-Of-The-Woods. Whether she lived with her mother up until that time is unknown.

The records from St. Ann's, from Catholic Charities, sent to me by the Diocese of Evanston, says that Emma was admitted on June 29, 1883. The records also state that on June 10, 1885, Emma was placed with a Mrs. Miller from Terre Haute, who had no children and would "adopt Emma as her child." Mrs. Miller brought her back on January 3, 1886. These records also state that Emma was placed with Miss Frances Howe* on May 16, 1894. This corresponds with what Emma told me when I was a child...that she lived with the Sisters until she was 13 years old.

Miss Frances Rose Howe was the niece of the Mother Superior at St. Mary's and on one of her visits, she took a liking to Emma. Emma eventually spent time at Miss Howe's home, the Bailly Homestead in Porter County, Indiana. (The Homestead is now part of the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and on the U.S. Register of Historic Buildings.) Emma also accompanied Miss Howe to Europe. She bought Emma a violin and paid for lessons. When Emma was 23 years old, Frances Howe formally adopted Emma.

The only description I have of Emma as a young lady comes from an article by Mrs. Florence Busse Smith, published in the Duneland Historical Society newsletter in April, 1956. Titled, "I Remember Miss Frances Howe, Emma Bachman and George Blagg", it says of Emma, "Who was Emma Bachman? Some people said that she was Miss Howe's own daughter, who had been kept away at school and has now at about sixteen years of age come home. But mother told me that Emma was Miss Howe's adopted daughter. The story generally accepted was that Emma was a member of a large orphaned family in South Bend and Miss Howe had adopted her. She was a most attractive girl, about five feet seven inches tall, lithe and merry with beautiful wavy chestnut hair and lovely brown eyes. She had a warm and gracious personality. She was a little younger than I but we were understanding friends."

Mrs. Smith continues, "Miss Howe bought a beautiful race horse for her and she drove to our house often in her racing cart. She brought me a picture of herself and horse one time. I wonder where that picture is? One day, she came beautifully dressed in an exquisite chiffon blouse. 'Emma', I said, with my seventeen years of wisdom, 'you shouldn't be wearing that pretty blouse to drive in.' 'I know it," she replied, 'but I wanted to wear it and this was the nicest place I know to wear it.' Poor dear, she was lonely for the companionship of young people. Often she would drive over to the Chesterton Bakery and bring back a sack of Mr. Hoham's good macaroons for me which she knew I especially liked.

It must have been in the fall of 1906 when Emma, unable to gain Miss Howe's consent to her marriage with their Swedish-born groomsman, slipped out of the house early one morning, to elope..."

Emma did indeed run away with her groomsman/coachman, Gustave Christianson, which caused quite a scandal...all the way to Chicago. As reported in the Lake County Times, the couple eloped on a Saturday. They spent the day driving from town to town in their buggy. Emma hesitated to get married at that time, as she was waiting for permission from Miss Howe.

Emma and Gustave arrived in Hobart, about fifteen miles from the Bailly Homestead and stabled their horse at Duffy DeFrance's livery. They then took a room at the Hobart House. Around midnight, Emma decided to return home. She recovered her horse and buggy from the barn, but after a few miles, she became lost and returned to Hobart. She asked Bert Pierce, of Shearer Livery, to take her back to the homestead.

Meanwhile, Gustave had found the town Marshal, Fred Rose, and asked for his help in locating Emma. He told the Marshal that she had robbed him.

Marshal Rose and Gustave found Emma at the Shearer Livery and instead of accusing her of theft, Gustave pleaded with her to marry him. Emma refused, and left to return home.

As reported in the newspaper, Gustave also returned to the homestead, asking Miss Howe to see Emma. When refused, he left.

It is said that Emma and Gustave were not married during their elopement.

In 1908, Emma married James Huston in Kansas City, Kansas.
Their license application states that they were both from Los Angeles, California. That is something that I don't understand. I never knew Emma was in Los Angeles prior to her marriage to James. And, if they were both from Los Angeles, why were they married in Kansas City, Missouri? Did she elope for a second time? I need to go back through the letters I have both to and from Miss Howe to see if the answer lies there. I'm not sure if Miss Howe would have approved of the marriage. James was from a family that had once been wealthy and were important members of the town of Maysville, Kentucky. However, during the marriage, he is listed on the Census as a traveling salesman, at one time selling shoes. This doesn't sound like the kind of suitor for Emma that Miss Howe would welcome. At the time of their marriage, James was 39 and Emma 25.

Emma and James settled in Los Angeles, California. They had two children; a son, James Francis and a daughter, my mother, Geraldine Cecilia Huston. James Francis played the trumpet with entertainer Phil Harris in the 1930's in the Los Angeles area. (If you've ever seen the Disney cartoon, The Jungle Book, you've heard Phil Harris...he was the voice of the bear and sang "The Bare Necessities.")

Unfortunately, James Francis committed suicide in 1937. He died in Malibu from carbon monoxide poisoning from his car. The note he left just said he would take to the grave the reasons for his suicide.

Emma's marriage to James was strained. I have letters from their maid to Miss Howe, stating that James treated Emma badly. He was stingy and wouldn't let her have any money. I believe he also drank some. It's been awhile since I read those letters. I need to go back and do that again.

My grandparents divorced and in 1924, Emma married a man named John W. Price, the son of Thomas C. Price and his wife, Lucinda Norman. Emma and John had no children together and eventually divorced. While they were married, they belonged to the Edgewater Club. This was a fairly prestigious beach club in Santa Monica, California. My mother used to tell me how they would ride from their home on North Beachwood Drive, below the "Hollywood" sign, down to the club in their fancy convertible.

An interesting side note: when Emma met John Price, he was married to a lady named Jennie L. Price. I don't know if the L stands for her middle name or her maiden name. I don't know the particulars of his marriage to Jennie nor do I know if they were living together or estranged at the time John met Emma. On January 12, 1923, Jennie Price filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court (#116059). The defendant was Emma Huston. She was being sued for "wrongfully intending to injury (sic) this plaintiff and deprive her of her said husband's protection, society, aid, and support, willfully, wickedly, and maliciously gained the affections of said John W. Price, and induced him to have carnal intercourse with her, and sought to persuade him and entice him by offers of money, the payment of money, and other things of various kinds and otherwise to leave plaintiff without support and to reside and live with defendant in the city of Los Angeles, county and state aforesaid." The filing ends with Jennie asking for a judgment against Emma for $100,000.

Emma denied it all. The copies I received from the court in 1978 ends with a notice to Emma to appear for a deposition in August, 1923. The last page is a court paper filed on April 30, 1952 which states, "it appearing to the Court from an examination of the record herein that this action should be dismissed...therefore, upon the court's own motion, the above entitled action is hereby dismissed." I don't know what happened to the case...did Jennie drop her suit and somehow it never was dismissed? Did Emma settle out of court and give Jennie some money? Goodness knows, Emma had enough money...at least then...

When Miss Howe died, Emma inherited 3 million dollars from her estate. During the time of her marriage to John Price, they ran through all of that money. I had no idea how much it was until several years ago when I found a Los Angeles Times article about the "Heiress" who regained custody of her children. It said that Emma had inherited 3 million dollars! That article stated that while Emma was back in Chicago dealing with Miss Howe's estate, her husband was taking care of the children. When Emma came back, he didn't want to let her take them because she had been gone so long. Emma prevailed and she was given custody of James Francis and Geraldine.

After the money was gone and Emma and John Price divorced, Emma cleaned houses for a living. She was also a live-in cook for a family in Los Angeles. Can you imagine that? Going from having all that money to being a cleaning lady and a cook. (Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just it's a big difference in lifestyle!) And, in her later years, we were poor, so Emma's lifestyle never improved; in fact, it went downhill!

When my parents divorced, Emma came to live with us. I was not quite two years old, so my memories as a child all include her. Emma took care of my brother, Michael, and I while our mother worked. I have memories of her reading to me and believe that's where my love of books came from. I also remember watching Mitch Miller and his "bouncing ball" on TV with my grandmother. That's where I first heard my second favorite song of all time, "The Yellow Rose of Texas"...sitting with Emma and watching Mitch Miller and the Gang! (For anyone who really cares, and I'm sure most of you don't, but I'm going to tell you anyway...my first all-time favorite song is "The Battle Hymn of the Republic.")

We always lived in Arcadia, a lovely city in Los Angeles County, California. And we moved a lot because my mother sometimes couldn't pay the rent. One of the biggest regrets of my life occurred during one of those moves. We were living in a motel on Hustington Dr, across from the County Park in Arcadia. We had all of our things stored in a garage on the property. When we moved out, we left in a taxi. Unfortunately, my mother never went back to get our things. She owed the landlady $50 and never had the extra money. I was only in 5th grade at the time, so I didn't understand exactly what was happening. If I had been older, I would have called my father and asked for help. He was very interested in family history and I'm sure if he had known my mother had left all of the family pictures, etc in that garage, he would have gotten them for us. That is why I have no pictures of myself as a baby and only a couple of my brother. (Those came from my father after I was an adult and talked to him about our family history.) Emma left a large steamer trunk in that garage and I'm sure there were all sorts of documents that would have been interesting to read, and maybe would have given me the answers to her father's identity. Sadly, that was not to be.

My mother never owned a car, so we walked or took the bus wherever we needed to go. For a time, my grandmother ordered groceries from a "mom and pop" store, Vickery's Country Market, because they delivered. Emma knew I liked peppermint candy, so she always ordered peppermint sticks for me.

Emma passed away at the Los Angeles County Hospital on September 27, 1963. Emma was buried on October 17, 1963 at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Rowland Heights, California, courtesy of the county. Unfortunately, we were poor and my mother couldn't afford a funeral or a headstone for her.


Buried:
Queen of Heaven Cemetery; Section E, Row 25, Grave 212. She has no stone.

Died:
Los Angeles County General Hospital