GED4WEB version 4.13 For privacy reasons, Date of Birth and Date of Marriage for persons believed to still be living are not shown.
Strout Charles J [Male] b. 18 JUL 1826 Gorham, Maine - d. 22 APR 1884
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Of Gorham, Maine.Of Gorham, Maine.
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Died youngDied young
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Of Bolton, Massachusetts Even though both my grandmother and Re v MerriOf Bolton, Massachusetts Even though both my grandmother and Re v Merrill show Caroline married to Charles W Haynes, the censu s information and the Hayes Web site disagree. The 1850 and 186 0 census for Bolton, Massachsetts show Caroline married to Alfre d W Haynes (born abt 1823). Charles W Haynes (born 1836 and to o young to be her husband) is also in the household.
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Name given as Ozro William on the Haynes web site.Name given as Ozro William on the Haynes web site.
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Greenwood CemeteryGreenwood Cemetery
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Party held at Richfield American Legion Post, 6501 Portland Aven ue SoutParty held at Richfield American Legion Post, 6501 Portland Aven ue South, Richfield, Minnesota
Social Security Number issued in MinnesotaSocial Security Number issued in Minnesota
Ashes buried under an orange tree. Marker in Lakewood Cemetery , MinneapolAshes buried under an orange tree. Marker in Lakewood Cemetery , Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the grave of his wife, Frederica, L ot 266 Section 30 Grave 2.
The 1910 US Federal Census for School District 17, Valley, Monta na, shoThe 1910 US Federal Census for School District 17, Valley, Monta na, shows Ray (age 1-1/2) living with his father, Lewis (misspe lled as Louis, age 39), his mother, Myrtie (misspelled Myrtle, a ge 35), his sister, Verna (listeds as son, age 13) and his broth er, Clark (age 6). Next door is his grandmother, Gracia Clarke . His uncles, Lyle and Guy are also living close by.
The 1920 US Federal Census for Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota , shows RThe 1920 US Federal Census for Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota , shows Ray (age 11) living in an apartment at 1829 10th Avenu e South, with his father, Lewis (misspelled Louis, age 49), hi s step-mother, Clara (age 39), his brother, Clark (age 16) and h alf-sister, Eleanor (10 months old).
An exerpt from a letter by William Ellis Stork, an uncle of Ray' s stepmotAn exerpt from a letter by William Ellis Stork, an uncle of Ray' s stepmother Clara Drake Bishop, gives an idea of how stongly th e Bishop Family was attached to their Iowa roots in 1920:
"February 12, 1921 The Howard County [Iowa] Association held the ir Midwin"February 12, 1921 The Howard County [Iowa] Association held the ir Midwinter Old Fashioned Basket Supper in a large Hall in Minn eapolis. There was quite a large attendence, among them O. G. Wa nless, Mrs. Cora Johnson Soury and daughter, Mrs. Hattie Johnso n [Osmer] Sheldon and daughters Jessie and Alice, Charley Nash . Lewis, Clara, Eleanor and Ray Bishop, Storks and quite a numbe r of others who have lived in Lime Springs [Iowa]. Harold and Ru th [Craig] could not be there, and Alfred and Mrs. Knowlton wer e not there. They [the Knowltons] are living now at White Bear s ome distance away. Mrs. Knowlton is not very strong now. We al l had a good time, a good program and a late get home. "
In the 1930 US Federal Census for Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minneso ta, Ray (In the 1930 US Federal Census for Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minneso ta, Ray (middle name given incorrectly as Allen, that is Clark’ s middle name) is living with his father Lewis (incorrectly list ed as Daniel, age 59) and step-mother Clara E (age 50) in a rent ed house at 615 Sixth Street S.E. Also in the household are hi s brother, Clark A. (age 26), his nephew, Clark’s son David (ag e 6),and his half-sister Eleanor (age 11).Ray and Clark are supp orting the family as their father Lewis is an unemployed automob ile salesman. The 1930 Minneapolis City directory says that Lewi s is a real estate saleman. Clark and Ray are working for the Te lephone Company ; Clark as a “Tester” and Ray as a “Rackman or f rameman” This information is confirmed by the 1930 Minneapolis C ity Directory. Nepotism at the phone company has gotten Ray hi s job. He worked for North Western Bell Telephone Company unti l he retired in 1973. This house is about two blocks away from t he residence of the Browns in that year and very near Andrew Pre sbyterian Church where Ray met Frederica in 1930.
The Social Security Death Index gives his last residence as 9200 9 CarlsbaThe Social Security Death Index gives his last residence as 9200 9 Carlsbad, California with his last benefit also paid there.
As Ray’s daughter, Diana, and step-daughter, Betty, were buryin g his ashAs Ray’s daughter, Diana, and step-daughter, Betty, were buryin g his ashes under an orange tree in Betty’s back yard, a puff o f ashes came out of the opened box. They finished the job, looke d at each other and said, “I gotta wash that man right outta m y hair...”
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On 1920 US Federal Census but not on 1930 US Federal CensusOn 1920 US Federal Census but not on 1930 US Federal Census
In the 1860 US Federal Census for Atkinson, Rockingham, New Hamp shire, 37In the 1860 US Federal Census for Atkinson, Rockingham, New Hamp shire, 37-year old New Hampshire-born Justin W Spalding [Spauldi ng] is a teacher in an academy, with $600 worth of personal prop erty. In his household are his wife, 31-year old Eliza V and the ir 1-year old daughter Mary C.
In the 1870 US Federal Census for Strong, Franklin, Maine, 41-y ear old wIn the 1870 US Federal Census for Strong, Franklin, Maine, 41-y ear old widowed Eliza B Sprulding is keeping house for her thre e children, 12-year old Mary C, 9-year old Frank E and 6-year ol d Grace E. Eliza has $1600 in property.
Supposedly between 1896 and 1904, George and Mary [Spaulding] St udley weSupposedly between 1896 and 1904, George and Mary [Spaulding] St udley were living at Brentwood, Long Island, New York per the “P ortrait and Biographical Record of Suffolk County (Long Island ) New York However, the 1900 US Federal Census for Islip, Suffo ld, New York gives their residence as being on Brentwood Road i n Islip. He owns the property but it has a mortgage. He and Mar y C [Spaudling] Studely [sic Studley] have their son Barrett i n their household. George is in “real estate”, which matches th e information in “Portrait and Biographical Record of Suffolk Co unty (Long Island) New York”. George and Mary have been marrie d six years. Mary has born two children, but only Barrett is liv ing.
In the 1910 US Federal Census 45-year old real estate salesman G eorge ShiIn the 1910 US Federal Census 45-year old real estate salesman G eorge Shildley [Studley], his 38-year old wife Mary C [Spaulding ] Shidley [Studley] and their two children, 14-year old Barret t and 9-year old Grace are still living in Islip, Suffolk, New Y ork in a motgaged house on 3rd [? very bad handwriting] Avenue . George and Mary have been married 16 years. Mary has born tw o children and both are living. This statement does not agree wi th the 1900 census that states that she has born two children an d only one is living. Both children have attended school in th e past year.
Apparently the hotel and railroad scheme was not as much of a su cceApparently the hotel and railroad scheme was not as much of a su ccess as anticipated, because in 1920, 58-year old George Studle y has moved into a rented apartment at 243 New York Avenue in Br ooklyn, Kings, New York with his 62-year old wife, Mary, 24-yea r old son George (recorded as Barrett by the census taker), an d 16-year old daughter Grace. He is a real estate broker. His so n, Barrett is doing “research in advertising”. Grace has attende d school in the past year.
Mary probably died about 1925 as George is listed as a widower w ho had beMary probably died about 1925 as George is listed as a widower w ho had been married 34 years in the 1930 census. In any case, sh e died before 1 Apr 1930 (date of the 1930 census) as she is mis sing from the household in that census.
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Officer in the US NavyOfficer in the US Navy
Section Off Site 361Section Off Site 361
Although his given name was George Barrett Studley, Jr. he appea rs in tAlthough his given name was George Barrett Studley, Jr. he appea rs in the 1900, 1910, 1920 and 1930 census and his military rec ords as Barrett Studley.
Supposedly between 1896 and 1904, George and Mary [Spaulding] St udley weSupposedly between 1896 and 1904, George and Mary [Spaulding] St udley were living at Brentwood, Long Island, New York per the “P ortrait and Biographical Record of Suffolk County (Long Island ) New York However, the 1900 US Federal Census for Islip, Suffo ld, New York gives their residence as being on Brentwood Road i n Islip. He owns the property but it has a mortgage. He and Mar y C [Spaudling] Studely [sic Studley] have their son Barrett i n their household. George is in “real estate”, which matches th e information in “Portrait and Biographical Record of Suffolk Co unty (Long Island) New York”. George and Mary have been marrie d six years. Mary has born two children, but only Barrett is liv ing.
In the 1910 US Federal Census 45-year old real estate salesman G eorge ShiIn the 1910 US Federal Census 45-year old real estate salesman G eorge Shildley [Studley], his 38-year old wife Mary C [Spaulding ] Shidley [Studley] and their two children, 14-year old Barret t and 9-year old Grace are still living in Islip, Suffolk, New Y ork in a motgaged house on 3rd [? very bad handwriting] Avenue . George and Mary have been married 16 years. Mary has born tw o children and both are living. This statement does not agree wi th the 1900 census that states that she has born two children an d only one is living. Both children have attended school in th e past year.
On 5 Jun 1917, Barrett Studley registered for the draft at Suffo lk CounOn 5 Jun 1917, Barrett Studley registered for the draft at Suffo lk County Draft Board 2 in Bay City, New York. He stated that h e was a 21-year old natural born citizen living in Brentwood, Ne w York, that he was working as an accountant for Mr. S H Wolf o f New York City, that he was single with no dependents, and ha d never served in the military. He was described as tall, of med ium build, with dark blue eyes and light brown hair.
Apparently the hotel and railroad scheme was not as much of a su cceApparently the hotel and railroad scheme was not as much of a su ccess as anticipated, because in 1920, 58-year old George Studle y has moved into a rented apartment at 243 New York Avenue in Br ooklyn, Kings, New York with his 62-year old wife, Mary, 24-yea r old son George (recorded as Barrett by the census taker), an d 16-year old daughter Grace. He is a real estate broker. His so n, Barrett is doing “research in advertising”. Grace has attende d school in the past year.
In the 1930 US Federal Census for Palmetto Beach, Escamba, Flori da, BarreIn the 1930 US Federal Census for Palmetto Beach, Escamba, Flori da, Barrett (age 34) has married a Canadian named Elsie Stewar t (age 40). Living with them is her daughter, Margaret, age 17 . The family is living in a house rented for $55 a month on Bi g Bayou Station where the family owns a radio. Barrett was 27 an d Elsie 33-year old when they married. It is improbable that Bar rett is Margaret’s natural father, as he is only 17 years olde r than she is and has been married to Elsie for only seven years . However Margaret’s last name was recorded as Studley by the ce nsus taker. Barrett served in WW I.
Barrett died on 3 Mar 1941 and was buried in Ft. Rosecrans Natio nal CemetBarrett died on 3 Mar 1941 and was buried in Ft. Rosecrans Natio nal Cemetery Section OS 361
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Grace’s age is given as 9-years old on the 1910 US Federal Censu s, she clGrace’s age is given as 9-years old on the 1910 US Federal Censu s, she claims to be younger by a year or two on the 1920 and 193 0 census
In the 1910 US Federal Census 45-year old real estate salesman G eorge ShiIn the 1910 US Federal Census 45-year old real estate salesman G eorge Shildley [Studley], his 38-year old wife Mary C [Spaulding ] Shidley [Studley] and their two children, 14-year old Barret t and 9-year old Grace are still living in Islip, Suffolk, New Y ork in a motgaged house on 3rd [? very bad handwriting] Avenue . George and Mary have been married 16 years. Mary has born tw o children and both are living. This statement does not agree wi th the 1900 census that states that she has born two children an d only one is living. Both children have attended school in th e past year.
Apparently the hotel and railroad scheme was not as much of a su cceApparently the hotel and railroad scheme was not as much of a su ccess as anticipated, because in 1920, 58-year old George Studle y has moved into a rented apartment at 243 New York Avenue in Br ooklyn, Kings, New York with his 62-year old wife, Mary, 24-yea r old son George (recorded as Barrett by the census taker), an d 16-year old daughter Grace. He is a real estate broker. His so n, Barrett is doing “research in advertising”. Grace has attende d school in the past year.
In the 1930 US Federal Census for Brooklyn, Kings, New York, 72 -year oIn the 1930 US Federal Census for Brooklyn, Kings, New York, 72 -year old widower George B Studley and his 47-year old daughte r Grace are living in an apartment rented for $65 a month at 15 0 James Place. George is a real estate broker and Grace is a lib rarian. Both have worked on the day preceding the census. They h ave a radio.
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died from metastisized breast cancerdied from metastisized breast cancer
Lot 266 Section 30 Grave 2Lot 266 Section 30 Grave 2
A year after Fredrica, was born in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota , the 19A year after Fredrica, was born in St. Paul, Ramsey, Minnesota , the 1910 census shows her living in Fred's household (age 31 , engineer for the Aberdeen street railway) living at 215 Tent h Avenue SE (illegible handwriting, could be SW), in the Third W ard Aberdeen, Brown County, South Dakota.
In 1920, Fred and family were living at 708 Iowa Avenue SE in Hu ron, BeadIn 1920, Fred and family were living at 708 Iowa Avenue SE in Hu ron, Beadle, South Dakota, having moved there before 1915 when J im was born there. He is an electrial engineer for Huron Ligh t & Power Company. This information is confirmed by Fred’s WWI D raft Registration Card dated 12 Sep 1918. His physical descripti on on the card was medium height and build with blue eyes and li ght hair.
According to Frederica Brown’s photograph album, “Pictures tel l the storyAccording to Frederica Brown’s photograph album, “Pictures tel l the story”, the family was still in Huron in 1921, but, by 192 3, they’d moved to Eau Claire, Eau Claire, Wisconsin where Fredd ie and, possibly, Betty graduated from High School. The next mov e was to Portland, Oregon in January, 1927 where the family live d at 427 E 48th Street N. from January to April. They then move d to a larger house at 632 E. 38th Street N. I’m not sure when F red came back to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Family stories say tha t he worked on the Foshay Tower which started construction in 19 27. The rest of the family seems to have remained in Oregon thro ugh 1929, as Jim attended U.S. Grant High School in Portland whe re he was in the band, Marian gave a recital in May and Frederic a attended Willamette University in Salem, her freshman year. Fa mily story is that Fred quit working on the Foshay Tower becaus e he couldn’t stomach Foshay’s questionable business practices , rather like those of Enron. By 1930, Fred and family are reuni ted as the April 10th census shows them living at 625-8th Avenu e SE, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota.
According to the 1930 Minneapolis City Directory, the Browns wer e liviAccording to the 1930 Minneapolis City Directory, the Browns wer e living at 625-8th Ave SE, just around the corner from Andrew P resbyterian Church and close to the residence of the Bishops. Fr ederica met Ray Bishop at the Andrew Young People’s Group shortl y after the Browns moved back to Minneapolis in 1930. She contin ued to attend after her marriage as documented by “History of An drew Presbyterian Church 1857-1932” as in 1932, she was secretar y of the Wilma Eustis Guild.
In the mid-1930’s, all of the family was living in the house a t 1122 OlivIn the mid-1930’s, all of the family was living in the house a t 1122 Oliver Ave N, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota. My memor y of that household is confirmed by the family photo album.
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Last residence 03256 New Hampton, Belknap, New HampshireLast residence 03256 New Hampton, Belknap, New Hampshire
Social Security Number Issued in Rhode Island (1951-52)Social Security Number Issued in Rhode Island (1951-52)
Cause of death: heart attack.Cause of death: heart attack.
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Jack LenhartJack Lenhart
(b. 1908 m. 1934 d. 1987)(b. 1908 m. 1934 d. 1987)
RecollectionsRecollections
as of 1983as of 1983
Some background from his son DavidSome background from his son David
In 1983, my wife, Judy, asked my dad if he would record on tap e an oral hIn 1983, my wife, Judy, asked my dad if he would record on tap e an oral history of the memories of his childhood, relatives, f amily and activities. He was more than happy to do this. The r esult was a description of events and people surrounding his ear ly life (about the first 30 years).
Dad was born October 22, 1908 in Huron, South Dakota.Dad was born October 22, 1908 in Huron, South Dakota.
He died June 8, 1987 in Austin, Texas.He died June 8, 1987 in Austin, Texas.
Eighteen years after he made the tape, I decided to have the tap e transcrEighteen years after he made the tape, I decided to have the tap e transcribed, so that I could include a slightly edited versio n in my Lenhart Reunion Genealogy computer file. In that manner , it would be available for family and descendants to read, if t hey want to. Also, the original transcription and the edited tr anscription are available as stand-alone computer files, plus th e tape cassette itself or a hard copy.
One aspect of my editing was the insertion of sub-headings in bo ld typOne aspect of my editing was the insertion of sub-headings in bo ld type. Another aspect was the addition of items in italic bra ckets. Things like this seem to enhance the readability, and wh o was whom. However, I did not disturb dad’s nuances, speakin g habits, manners and traits or the sequence of his recollection s.
His son - David LenhartHis son - David Lenhart
June 29, 2001June 29, 2001
And the story begins, as told by my dad......And the story begins, as told by my dad......
Daughter-in-law had a history paper to writeDaughter-in-law had a history paper to write
These are the recollections of Jack Lenhart for Judy Lenhart fo r the HistThese are the recollections of Jack Lenhart for Judy Lenhart fo r the History course, that she is taking at the University. I a m willing to assume that the booklet prepared by my wife, Maria n Lenhart, ‘The Ancestors and Descendants of Jane Mary Cort’, i s available for your reference. [Jane Mary Cort was his mother , Cort being her maiden name.]
Question about John KurthQuestion about John Kurth
You asked about whether John Kurth was in the American Revolutio n. I donYou asked about whether John Kurth was in the American Revolutio n. I don’t know, but I do know that there are a number of the an cestors that did fight in the American Revolution because, as yo u know, The Daughters of the American Revolution is a big deal , and there are several different lines that go back to The Amer ican Revolutionary War. There are several different paths, you m ight say, by which you or your children could be daughters or so ns of The American Revolution. [Kurth was an original spellin g of Cort.]
Granddad and Grandma CortGranddad and Grandma Cort
You asked what the early Corts did for a living. As you know, ba ck in tYou asked what the early Corts did for a living. As you know, ba ck in the time of the Civil War, about ninety percent of the pop ulation of the United States were farmers, and so as far as I ha ve ever heard, our ancestors were farmers, and a few of them wer e Presbyterian preachers. We know that Charles Edwin Cort [dad’ s maternal grandfather] was a farmer [in Rochelle, IL], and by t he way, he and his family moved to the Dakota Territory in the m id-1880’s. I am not sure of the exact date. [At this point, hi s family consisted of his wife - Susan Maria Vaile and three dau ghters - Belle, Caroline Vaile and Jane Mary.]
They lived first in St. Lawrence, which is a small town west o f Huron, aThey lived first in St. Lawrence, which is a small town west o f Huron, and what he did in St. Lawrence, I never have heard, o r I do not recall anyway. When they moved to Huron, he worked wi th Mr. Longstaff, who had a drugstore there, and Mr. Longstaff t aught him pharmacy. He then worked at the Longstaff Drugstore fo r the rest of his life. [His last three children - Edwin Gallat in, Joseph Clayton and Ruth Helen - were born in Huron, SD.]
He was injured, or his health was hurt someway in The Civil War . GrandHe was injured, or his health was hurt someway in The Civil War . Grandma always said that his poor health was due to the hard l ife that he had there when he was in the service, on the Norther n side in The Civil War. One of the reference books says that h e died in an accident with horses in northern Illinois. Well , I know that is not true, he died in bed there in his home in S outh Dakota. He was always very proud, or Grandma was very proud , that he was able to teach himself all of the pharmaceutical bu siness, so that he could be a professional, as it was considere d at that time.
South Dakota became a state, I believe in 1889, and Grandma wa s always prSouth Dakota became a state, I believe in 1889, and Grandma wa s always proud of the fact that her husband, Charles Edwin, wa s a member of the Constitutional Convention for the establishmen t of South Dakota as a state. As far as I know, that was all o f the politics that he ever participated in. Grandma and Grandp a Cort were staunch Presbyterians, and I remember hearing her te ll about their helping to establish the Presbyterian Church ther e in Huron. I do not know if they were in on the beginning, bu t they certainly did help it to become a going establishment.
Jane Mary Cort’s EducationJane Mary Cort’s Education
You asked what kind of an education Jane Mary Cort [dad’s mother ] had. SYou asked what kind of an education Jane Mary Cort [dad’s mother ] had. She went through primary and high school, of course, ther e in Huron. She did very well in high school, made good grades , and she received a scholarship at Huron College for one year . Huron College, at that time, I believe was called an Academy a nd was holding classes on one floor of the Royal Hotel, which wa s the big hotel in Huron; it had four floors.
She was not able to go anymore than the one year because of mone y. When sShe was not able to go anymore than the one year because of mone y. When she had finished that first year, she got a job at the p ost office as the clerk. I remember hearing her talk about thi s many times, and this she enjoyed. She used to tell about the i nspectors that would come around, and the different things tha t would happen in the post office. I think she worked until sh e got married [she married Henry “Harry” Arthur Lenhart in 1905 , and they had one son - John Henry “Jack” (b. 1908)], and I bel ieve she resigned, although I am not real sure about that.
After mother’s divorce from Harry in 1916, she worked for Uncl e Murt [CarAfter mother’s divorce from Harry in 1916, she worked for Uncl e Murt [Caroline’s husband - Mortimer]. He was in the real estat e and insurance business there in Huron and had an office upstai rs over a jewelry store on the main street there in Huron. She w orked as a typist and a clerk and so on.
She had not had any professional training, but apparently she wa s abShe had not had any professional training, but apparently she wa s able to type well enough to write his letters and things lik e that. Uncle Murt was awfully good to her, and he was a good fr iend to all of the Cort’s. The story about him is that he wa s a staunch Roman Catholic and Grandma, although I wasn’t ther e at the time, was very much disturbed about her daughter, Carol ine, marrying a Roman Catholic. One time I remember I was datin g a Catholic girl, and she was very much upset about it, and s o it happened, I didn’t date the girl very long.
One-Room SchoolhouseOne-Room Schoolhouse
Mother married Jim [Jim Porter Platt in 1917] along in the sprin g, whMother married Jim [Jim Porter Platt in 1917] along in the sprin g, when I was in the third grade. I went through the first thre e grades there at the Hamilton School in Huron. And then, when m other moved out to the farm near Fulton, where Jim was operating , I stayed in Huron for a while and then moved down there later . I must have finished the third grade or nearly finished it, be cause I started the fourth grade there in a little country schoo l just a mile from the farm down there near Fulton. I say near F ulton, although Alexandria was the post office, so we sometime s said near Alexandria. It was about eight miles north of Alexan dria, straight north.
And then, after I went to the little country school there for ab out a yeAnd then, after I went to the little country school there for ab out a year and a half, the folks bought a farm up near Huron, ab out nine miles southwest of Huron, and I changed over and went t o school for most of the fifth grade in that little country scho ol there about a mile and a half from our farm.
This was a typical one-room country school with only one teacher . The difThis was a typical one-room country school with only one teacher . The different grades would come up and recite up in front of t he teacher, and the other kids would all listen in, too. The gra des were really intermingled to a very large extent. The secon d graders would hear what the fifth graders were doing, and whe n they got to the fifth grade, they knew all about it. It was re ally a very good arrangement.
I remember that school was easy for me, and I used to read a who le lot. TI remember that school was easy for me, and I used to read a who le lot. There was a little library there with fifty, maybe one h undred books, and there were various kinds, such as fiction an d history and things like this. I used to enjoy all of them, an d I read a great deal in those days. At home, I was usually kin d of hard up for books to read. I remember I used to read Zane G ray but did not care much for that. I read the Saturday Evenin g Post, which I started reading when I was nine years old, whic h was during World War I. I remember reading about the airplan e fights, which was always fascinating to me.
Driving the Old Ford TruckDriving the Old Ford Truck
An event that I have always bragged about was that when I was ab out niAn event that I have always bragged about was that when I was ab out nine years old, I drove our old Ford truck from the farm t o Alexandria, that was about nine miles, I would say. For a nin e year old, that was a big deal. Of course, Jim was riding alon g in the seat beside me, but still I was doing the driving, an d I have always thought that was quite a thing. Jim’s brother, G eorge, and he were very close, and when they were on the farm ne ar Fulton, George lived just a mile away. When Jim and Mother mo ved to a new farm up near Huron, George moved also. He bough t a farm that was about two miles north of our farm. They used t o trade machinery and horses back and forth and do work for eac h other. They really were very close, much more than brothers us ually are, I think.
After Jim’s deathAfter Jim’s death
Jim was killed, when I was in the middle of my junior year in hi gh schoJim was killed, when I was in the middle of my junior year in hi gh school (1926). I was in town living with Grandma, while I wen t to high school and would go home on the weekends to work on th e farm. [Note: Jim and Jane had 1 daughter and 4 sons - Caroli ne (died at birth, 1918), Cort (b. 1920), Bob (b. 1921), Bill (b . 1924) and Jim, Jr., (b. 1926 and died at age 1.)]
After Jim’s death, mother sold the farm, actually I think that s he let tAfter Jim’s death, mother sold the farm, actually I think that s he let the farm go back to the mortgage holder was the way it wa s. She sold the farm equipment and the horses and all of the liv estock. This was kind of a rough deal because mother had take n a very big part in life on the farm. She actually would go ou t and work in the field at times. She kept books and participate d in all the financial transactions, buying and selling the hors es and livestock, and deciding when the grain should be plante d and things like this.
This was a real shock to her when things had to all be done awa y with. SThis was a real shock to her when things had to all be done awa y with. She [and her four boys - Jack (18 yrs), Cort (6 yrs), Bo b (5 yrs) and Bill (2 yrs)] moved to town to live with Grandma , and I went on and finished the year and a half of high school , that I had left. While I was finishing up high school, Mothe r got a job with the Dexter’s Department Store; this was the big gest department store and a traditional one, much like Scarborou gh’s here in Austin. She worked there, not as a clerk, she worke d in the office keeping books, and typing letters and things lik e that. I think that the owner of the store, Mr. Dexter, was a n old family friend, which was one reason she was able to get th e job. She was a very confident person, of course, and I am sur e that she earned her money all right.
Graduated from High SchoolGraduated from High School
After I graduated from [Huron] high school, I made good grades a nd wAfter I graduated from [Huron] high school, I made good grades a nd was on the honor roll. In fact, I think that my grades were t he second highest of any of the boys in the graduating class. Th ere were a number of girls, of course, that had better grades th an I did. By the way, the fellow that had the highest grades o f the boys, his last name was Arthur, the last I heard he was te aching at Oklahoma State, and that is all I know about him.
Parts Man at Dodge AgencyParts Man at Dodge Agency
Anyway, my grades were so good that when a fellow from an automo bile agenAnyway, my grades were so good that when a fellow from an automo bile agency downtown called the high school and asked if anyon e there was looking for a job, I got the job. Remember, this wa s in the Depression. It was 1927, but the Depression hit South D akota early in the 20’s. The 1929 date, which most people thin k of as the beginning of the Depression, was not the beginning i n South Dakota. It had been going for many years there.
It was in the early 20’s, when the banks were going broke and cl osing uIt was in the early 20’s, when the banks were going broke and cl osing up, and people were losing their farms and this kind of th ing. So anyway, I was one of the very fortunate few that got a j ob, when I graduated from high school, and I was made parts ma n for the Dodge agency there in Huron.
It had changed hands just that spring, when I graduated and wa s taken ovIt had changed hands just that spring, when I graduated and wa s taken over by the Thompson-Hutton company, which was a branc h from the agency in Sioux Falls, so they had a tie with the peo ple in Sioux Falls. I used to go down to Sioux Falls and drive u p new cars. As parts man, I ordered all new parts through Siou x Falls, although that was at first. Later on, I ordered directl y from the Dodge factory in Detroit.
It was really a fairly responsible position. I had to keep an in ventoIt was really a fairly responsible position. I had to keep an in ventory on all the parts, and I had to know the parts when peopl e came in to ask for this thing-a-ma-jig, that goes in the bac k of the door. I looked in the catalog to find the number and ge t the part and so on. Then I had to check up to be sure they did n’t run out of parts, particularly those that were important, an d they had to have, parts of the engine, and others like that.
Also, I would be awoken in the middle of the night by a phone ca ll that sAlso, I would be awoken in the middle of the night by a phone ca ll that somebody out in western South Dakota had to have an axl e for his truck. I would go down to the Dodge agency and wrap u p an axle, then take it down to put it on the bus or the train , so that it could get to wherever it was going in western Sout h Dakota. We had the responsibility of furnishing parts for th e area all west of Huron onto the Wyoming border. This include d Rapid City.
I had to handle the money and keep track of all the other stuf f that wI had to handle the money and keep track of all the other stuf f that was going on. Another of my responsibilities was the use d cars. When they would make a trade and get in a used car, I ha d to check it over and clean it up, wash it, grease it, see wha t repairs needed to be done, and then get the fellows in the sho p to make those repairs and charge it off against that particula r car in the books and so on.
I was really very fortunate to have a job like that with that re sponsibilI was really very fortunate to have a job like that with that re sponsibility. I got $85.00 a month, which was a good salary duri ng those Depression days. I was still living with my grandma an d mother and half-brothers there in the big house, and I paid pa rt of my salary to them as my room and board. This went on unti l I started college in the fall of the following year [1928] . I went to Huron College and kept working at the Dodge agency p art time. I was actually putting in almost eight hours a day, be cause I would go down there right after I got out of school in t he afternoon and work on until the night, so I was still gettin g my full $85.00 a month while I was going to college. I was muc h the envy of most of the other fellows that I knew there in Hur on College.
Huron CollegeHuron College
Huron College was very small then and is still small. The tota l enrollmeHuron College was very small then and is still small. The tota l enrollment was something like three hundred. It is a Presbyter ian school, and we had to go to Chapel every morning from ten o’ clock until ten-thirty, I believe it was. We would have an inspi rational speech, sing a few hymns, say a prayer or two and so on . Most of us took this as being quite a hardship to have to go t o Chapel, although I don’t think it hurt us any. You were allowe d so many cuts, and I remember that I and all of my friends alwa ys took the maximum number of cuts that they allowed, somethin g like twenty a semester. I don’t remember what it was for sure .
Mother’s brother, Uncle Ed, was in Minneapolis, and he was in ch arge of tMother’s brother, Uncle Ed, was in Minneapolis, and he was in ch arge of the co-op there that sold oil and gasoline to the farmer s in the state of Minnesota. He was the general manager and ha d actually set it up and all of that, so he was the big wheel. H e told mother that he would like to have her come to Minneapoli s and work for him. He had an office there and had a half a doze n employees; some of them were salesmen and so on. He did need s ome help from someone he could depend on. Mother and the three b oys moved to Minneapolis. I can’t remember just exactly when tha t was. I went for two years to Huron College, and I think that i t was toward the end of the first year that she moved to Minneap olis [about 1928-29].
Then after I had gone two years at Huron College, I had gotten a ll of tThen after I had gone two years at Huron College, I had gotten a ll of the technical work that I could get there, physics, chemis try and math and so on. I had decided to go into engineering, s o I had to transfer to an engineering school. I thought of sever al places. I remember that Carnegie Tech came to mind, and som e others like that. Of course, the logical thing to do was to g o to Minneapolis and go to the University of Minnesota.
Pursuing an Engineering DegreePursuing an Engineering Degree
They did have a really good engineering school, and mother live d quite clThey did have a really good engineering school, and mother live d quite close to the university. In fact, it was about a half mi le from the campus, and about a mile from the engineering school . I transferred there, left grandma alone, and lived with mothe r and my three half-brothers there. At that point, the three Pla tt boys ranged in age from about 10 (Cort), 9 (Bob) and 6 (Bill) , while I was about 22.
I enrolled in the University of Minnesota, and because I was tra nsferrinI enrolled in the University of Minnesota, and because I was tra nsferring, it took me three more years to finish up and get my d egree [in 1933 at age 25]. I spent a total of five years in coll ege. Mother worked there for Midland Cooperative, which was th e name of the oil company that Uncle Ed was the manager of. I d o not know how much money mother made, when she was working at D exter’s in Huron, but I am sure that it was not very much. She g ot a big increase in pay, when she resigned from Dexter’s and st arted working for the Midland Cooperative in Minneapolis.
While I was going to school, the first year I did not work, bu t the secoWhile I was going to school, the first year I did not work, bu t the second year, I got a job with the Geography Department mak ing maps. I was a pretty good draftsman in those days, and it wa s a real good job, where I could work any time that I wanted to . I could go over and work a couple of hours in between classes , and I had a key, so I could go over at night and work on up un til midnight, if I wanted to.
I didn’t get much pay, I got fifty cents an hour, and that reall y was preI didn’t get much pay, I got fifty cents an hour, and that reall y was pretty good pay in those days. It was more than most of m y friends made. I held that job there with the Geography departm ent on up until I graduated, although one summer, I did work fo r Midland. I remember one of the things I did was painting the o il tanks in the big storage area out back of the main office. Th is was a hot job and a cold job and a dirty job, but I was makin g pretty good money working there for Uncle Ed.
Mother kept the books there for Midland Co-op for many years, bu t after UMother kept the books there for Midland Co-op for many years, bu t after Uncle Ed died in 1944, I believe it was, the politics we re such there in that organization that someone else wanted to p ut some friend of theirs in, and mother was replaced as the book keeper. She was made the librarian, and this was for a number o f years after Uncle Ed died. She was librarian for maybe five o r ten years up until she retired, and it was sort of an easy job . I think they all liked her really well and everything, but lik e I said, there were some politics involved.
She made enough money, so that we lived there in Minneapolis, no t weShe made enough money, so that we lived there in Minneapolis, no t well at all, but we still had to watch the pennies very closel y, and you thought carefully about spending thirty-five cents t o go to a movie. I remember that I used to get hamburgers for fi ve cents over at the White Castle, which was the main hamburge r joint near the University.
Jim’s Life Insurance Policy SettlementJim’s Life Insurance Policy Settlement
Speaking of mother’s finances, I really need to go back a numbe r of yeaSpeaking of mother’s finances, I really need to go back a numbe r of years to Jim’s death [1926] on the farm. At that time, he h ad an insurance policy of ten thousand dollars; it was a doubl e indemnity policy for accidental death. He was killed while h e was alone up in the barn by a shotgun, which he was apparentl y pulling out of the wagon, when it went off accidentally and hi t him in the head.
The insurance company refused to pay off on this, claiming tha t it wThe insurance company refused to pay off on this, claiming tha t it was a suicide, and this was a difficult thing to prove, bec ause of course there were no witnesses or anything. My mother ha d to hire a lawyer and promise him one third of the proceeds o f the suit, and the lawyer filed a suit against this insurance c ompany.
The trial was all set up and everything, and we were getting rThe trial was all set up and everything, and we were getting rea dy to go to Sioux Falls, when the company lawyer called my mothe r’s lawyer, and told him that they would settle out of court fo r the full amount. So the twenty thousand dollars was paid out b y the insurance company, but a third of it was paid out to the l awyer.
So Mother had this capital to operate on and fall back on. She l oanSo Mother had this capital to operate on and fall back on. She l oaned me some of this, while I was going to college there in Min neapolis. I would borrow one or two hundred dollars from her a t a time to pay my school expenses primarily. I think it ended u p that by the time I got out of college and got a job that I owe d eight or nine hundred dollars to her. I paid this off over th e years, of course I did not have a very good job at first, bu t I think it was along in 1939 that I was able to pay back to he r the last of this money that I had borrowed from her capital.
Mother’s House by the Mississippi RiverMother’s House by the Mississippi River
First Mother lived in rented houses there in Minneapolis. Let’ s see, theFirst Mother lived in rented houses there in Minneapolis. Let’ s see, there were three different ones, before she finally, abou t 1938, bought a real nice house in a nice part of town. It wa s near the Mississippi River. [In fact, the river was across th e street. High bluffs were on both sides of the river.] It wa s an old house, real old, but had a large lot with very nice tre es and shrubbery. It was a beautiful old house, but it was an od d house with a very strange floor plan. It was two-story, and th e upstairs part was almost an attic.
It was her own home, and Bob was taking architecture about thi s time at tIt was her own home, and Bob was taking architecture about thi s time at the University, so he built a room on there and fixe d up part of the house and did a lot of work there. I think he m aybe wrote a paper or something on it, and he always said that h e learned a lot more by building the addition onto the house tha n he did in any one of his courses.
I can understand that because the way to learn is by doing. Sh e livI can understand that because the way to learn is by doing. Sh e lived in this house, until she died [in 1965]. She was on a vi sit to Bill in Colorado, when she got sick with a growth in th e intestine, cancer I guess. I left to go with her and went wit h mother in a plane, a kind of an ambulance plane, to Denver whe re she was operated on in the Rose Hospital, which was the Jewis h hospital, a very nice, excellent, hospital.
She came through the operation successfully, but she had a cardi ac arreShe came through the operation successfully, but she had a cardi ac arrest several days after the operation and died there in th e hospital. She was cremated there in Denver by a cooperative ar rangement of some kind that she had taken out long before that . Then Bill and I, along with his wife and kids, drove up to Min neapolis for a memorial service. She died September 13, 1965, an d by the way, my dad died September 12, 1970.
The DepressionThe Depression
You asked about The Depression. I think that I have indicated se veral timYou asked about The Depression. I think that I have indicated se veral times the effect that Depression had, such as the wages th at you could get being very low, although, things were cheap too . I was extremely fortunate, and mother was lucky too, that sh e was able to get work like she did, and I was able to get a jo b anytime that I wanted to. I have always been proud of the fac t that I never was fired from a job neither.
After I graduated from the university [with a B.S. degree in Civ il EngineAfter I graduated from the university [with a B.S. degree in Civ il Engineering in 1933], there were just no engineering jobs ava ilable at all. A couple of my friends from the Civil Engineerin g graduating class had political connections, and they got job s at the highway department dragging the chain, which is the low est level, the bottom of the ladder for sure [actually rear chai nman is the lowest rank].
I got a job with the Wholesale Plumbing Supply Company in downto wn MinneaI got a job with the Wholesale Plumbing Supply Company in downto wn Minneapolis. I was a pricing clerk, pricing the orders and th en extending them out and adding them up on the billing slips o r statements. It was desk job, a clerical job, and it did not ha ve much to do with engineering. But, I was dang lucky to get a j ob at all.
Marian [Marian Mower Brown] and I had been married by then [the y eloped aMarian [Marian Mower Brown] and I had been married by then [the y eloped and got married 6/2/1934 in Hudson, WI]. Let me back u p just a little bit. When I was in school there, I got real goo d grades, I don’t remember now what they were. I won a prize fo r my grades from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Ther e were two parts to this prize; one was a free membership for tw o years in the society, including the initiation fee, and als o a handbook. A real good civil engineer’s handbook, which I sti ll have and use after all these years.
Went to Work for the TVAWent to Work for the TVA
The magazine that the ASCE put out had in there a place for job s wanteThe magazine that the ASCE put out had in there a place for job s wanted, and people that were available. In there, I found an a dvertisement for a lot of people to work for the Tennessee Valle y Authority down in Knoxville, Tennessee. I applied and sure eno ugh, my grades were good enough, that I got the job down there i n Tennessee [Fall 1934].
Well, this was really something for Marian and I to pull up ou r roots theWell, this was really something for Marian and I to pull up ou r roots there in Minneapolis away from our friends and relative s and moving a thousand miles away, where we knew no one and did n’t know what kind of job we were getting into, but we did it. A nd of course, it turned out well.
The pay that I received there was one hundred dollars a month, t welve hunThe pay that I received there was one hundred dollars a month, t welve hundred dollars a year. A little bit later I was raised u p to fifteen hundred dollars, and after three years, I got up t o eighteen hundred dollars per year. That was when I left ther e to come to Texas [Fall 1937].
We got there in the Fall of 1934 in Knoxville Tennessee, and w e livWe got there in the Fall of 1934 in Knoxville Tennessee, and w e lived in a little efficiency apartment upstairs over a regula r residence on the edge of town, in the nice part of town. I wor ked mainly as a draftsman. The Engineering Service Division is w hat it was called, and we did engineering services for the non-e ngineering parts of the Tennessee Valley Authority.
There was a lot of non-engineering stuff going on, mosquito cont rol, sociThere was a lot of non-engineering stuff going on, mosquito cont rol, social works of various kinds and things like that. As I sa y, it was mostly drafting, there was a little engineering in the re, but not much. It was a nice place to work there with a bunc h of young fellows that had the same interests. We use to play t ennis on the University of Tennessee tennis courts, that we rent ed during the summer.
Went to Work as an Assistant Professor at the Univ. of TexasWent to Work as an Assistant Professor at the Univ. of Texas
One day in early fall of 1937, there was a letter posted on th e bulletOne day in early fall of 1937, there was a letter posted on th e bulletin board from a man, that had previously worked for th e University of Tennessee, and he had moved to Austin to be Dea n of Engineering. He sent this letter back there saying that the y needed somebody in the engineering drawing department at the U niversity of Texas.
I saw this letter, and fired off a letter down here to Austin sa ying thI saw this letter, and fired off a letter down here to Austin sa ying that I was interested in the job, and I sent my record of m y grades, and what I had been doing. I think I also had a lette r of recommendation from the man in charge of the department tha t I worked in. The next day I got a telegram back from Austin sa ying that I was hired, and I was supposed to go to work the nex t Monday.
Well, that really shook us up, to have to close up everything, s ell the cWell, that really shook us up, to have to close up everything, s ell the car, pack up what little bit of furniture we had and mov e to Austin. This was about the middle of the week, so we only h ad about three days to get ready to move. We did it all right an d got here to Austin on Sunday afternoon. We had a room at the m iddle class hotel that is still there.
The next morning, I went over to the university, upstairs in Tay lor HalThe next morning, I went over to the university, upstairs in Tay lor Hall, and Mr. McNeil gave me the textbook, that we were supp osed to be using, and he said that your class meets down the hal l in Room 308. He said, ”You go down there and get them started” , so I did. That was sure something to start off with nothing t o go on at all. [And dad taught at UT for 40 years, retiring i n 1977.]
Male Cort DescendantsMale Cort Descendants
You had a question about the male Cort descendants. Charles an d Maria hYou had a question about the male Cort descendants. Charles an d Maria had two sons and four daughters. Joseph had two daughter s, I believe it was, he lived back east in Boston or somewhere [ and a son, Joseph, Jr., who had three daughters]. Uncle Ed had o ne son named Owen and a daughter named Carol [another son died a t childbirth]. Owen married and had three girls, and then he div orced and married again. I am not too sure how old he is, but h e is about sixty-five years old now and has no male descendants .
When he dies, that will be the last of this branch of the Corts . Of coursWhen he dies, that will be the last of this branch of the Corts . Of course, there are the female descendants, but there are n o more male descendants with the name Cort. By the way, the Lenh art line is pretty tenuous too. My dad was an only son, I was a n only son, David is an only son, and Greg is an only son, [an d Scott is an only son].
Civil War PensionCivil War Pension
It seems that you have an interest in how the family managed fin anciallIt seems that you have an interest in how the family managed fin ancially, so let’s go back to the turn of the century. I will pi ck up there with Charles Edwin Cort, who was a veteran of the Ci vil War, so he had a pension. I mentioned that he worked in th e drugstore, but he also had a pension to help with the finances .
He had six kids, and I can imagine that he needed it all right . When he dHe had six kids, and I can imagine that he needed it all right . When he died, I think in 1903, the two oldest girls were marri ed, and the youngest girl, Helen, was about ten or eleven year s old. Grandma then still got a pension as a Civil War widow . I do not know exactly how big it was, but it must have bee n a fairly good pension, because it did help tremendously in th e way that she was able to get along.
Rent Houses on Ohio StreetRent Houses on Ohio Street
They had built a house on a lot in Huron. They apparently owne They had built a house on a lot in Huron. They apparently owne
[Consider Studley.FTW]
Social Security Death Index gives 5 Dec 1915Social Security Death Index gives 5 Dec 1915
Last benefit 49967 Trout Creek, Ontonagon, MichiganLast benefit 49967 Trout Creek, Ontonagon, Michigan
[Consider Studley.FTW]
Lived in Groton, Massachusetts.Lived in Groton, Massachusetts.
[Consider Studley.FTW]
Of Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaOf Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
[Consider Studley.FTW]
living in the same boarding house as her future husbandliving in the same boarding house as her future husband
Living in the same household as her future husband, but not marr ied to hiLiving in the same household as her future husband, but not marr ied to him
Residence-Thompson Station, Long Island.Residence-Thompson Station, Long Island.
[Consider Studley.FTW]
Living in the same boarding house as his future wife, Emily Stud leyLiving in the same boarding house as his future wife, Emily Stud ley
Emily Studley is living in thei householdEmily Studley is living in thei household
[Consider Studley.FTW]
Her mother’s maiden name was BoulterHer mother’s maiden name was Boulter
Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, Section Off Site 362Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, Section Off Site 362
In the 1930 US Federal Census for Palmetto Beach, Escamba, Flori da, BarreIn the 1930 US Federal Census for Palmetto Beach, Escamba, Flori da, Barrett (age 34) has married a Canadian named Elsie Stewar t (age 40) who immigrated to the US in 1913, the year after he r daugher was born. She is a naturalized citizen. Living with th em is her daughter, Margaret, age 17. The family is living i n a house rented for $55 a month on Big Bayou Station where th e family owns a radio. Barrett was 27 and Elsie 33-years old whe n they married. It is improbable that Barrett is Margaret’s natu ral father, as he is only 17 years older than she is and has bee n married to Elsie for only seven years. However Margaret’s las t name was recorded as Studley by the census taker.
[Consider Studley.FTW]
Zip code of last residence 92014Zip code of last residence 92014
In the 1930 US Federal Census for Palmetto Beach, Escamba, Flori da, BarreIn the 1930 US Federal Census for Palmetto Beach, Escamba, Flori da, Barrett (age 34) has married a Canadian named Elsie Stewar t (age 40). Living with them is her daughter, Margaret, age 17 . The family is living in a house rented for $55 a month on Bi g Bayou Station where the family owns a radio. Barrett was 27 an d Elsie 33-year old when they married. It is improbable that Bar rett is Margaret’s natural father, as he is only 17 years olde r than she is and has been married to Elsie for only seven years . However Margaret’s last name was recorded as Studley by the ce nsus taker. Her California Death Index information also gives h er middle name as Studley.
Social Security number issued in California before 1951.Social Security number issued in California before 1951.
[Consider Studley.FTW]
comment from vital record, “DR OF LIEUT. CONSIDER AND OLIVE “comment from vital record, “DR OF LIEUT. CONSIDER AND OLIVE “
Joseph and Olive lived in Lexington and Groton, Massachusetts.STUDLEY, OliJoseph and Olive lived in Lexington and Groton, Massachusetts.STUDLEY, Olive
Birth Date: Feb. 20, 1795 Sex: F Birth Date: Feb. 20, 1795 Sex: F
Birth Place: Wrentham Source: Vital Records of Wrentham Birth Place: Wrentham Source: Vital Records of Wrentham
Father's Name: Lieut. Consider Father's Name: Lieut. Consider
Mother's Name: Olive Mother's Name: Olive
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