Della Baker Garver Story August 2017

Della Baker Garver

Della Baker, the eldest child of Samuel and Lydia  Jane Kennedy Baker, was born Sep 6,  1870,  near Caledonia Ohio. Her parents must have been proud of her and of sufficient means for they had a tintype  (which I still have)  made of her as a baby.

On Sep 7, 1898  (age 28) she married farmer Charles Garver who was born May 8, 1869, on a farm across the road from Bortner Reformed Church in  N. Bloomfield  Twp., Morrow Co. OH.   Her sisters all had beaus and begged her to get married because tradition was that the oldest girl must get married first!!!!

In Feb 1900, they lost a little girl, Genevieve  Constance,  only 5 days old, buried in # 16 Cemetery with a marker shaped like a tree stump to signify a life cut short. The details on the marker show a scroll showing their belief that the innocent are in heaven.

August  22,1902  son Charles Marion was born in Claridon, Ohio.   He married Ethel Hood (1906-1981) and had Charles Matthew July 15, 1939, named for his 2 grandfathers.  Charles Marion always was called Marion to distinguish him from his father and his son. He won various track and field competitions and worked as a machinist in Warren, Ohio. He died of bladder cancer in Nov 1978, buried in Oakwood Cemetery  Warren, OH.  Charles Matthew married  Joan--- (div), married Mary Denton and had  Stephanie  who married Tom Owens, now living in Missouri with  son and daughter Deacon and Rena, Alexandria Rae-no info,  and Charles Bradley,  who goes by Brad and also was active in track, married  Jennifer Haille  and have Kaitlyn, Miles, and Charlotte all living near Atlanta.  The 4 Charles Garvers in 4 generations qualifies not to serve in the US military as there a so few male Garvers although  Charles born 1869  had several brothers!!!

Marvin Milford was born   1906?  And “discovered America”  in Marion County, as he used to say. He had red hair like great-grandmother  Margaret Shank Kennedy!!  He stayed on the Garver farm (the big house and big barn are still standing)  in Mecca, Trumbull County, Ohio where they had moved in 1907 and was drafted in 1942, although running a farm with elderly parents!!, serving in Germany in a tank. He also was the company barber and I remember seeing the wooden box barber kit he had.  Late in life, he married a wonderful woman named  Premilla Logan Weaver and they lived in Cleveland where he was the janitor for the Scofield building. She died of cancer of the abdomen after major surgery in New York near her sister, PAP smears had not been developed yet.  He lived for a while with his sister in Greene Twp., Trumbull County and then lived in the Veterans hospital in northern West Virginia making leather tooled and small wooden items in spite of arthritis, dying of leukemia. When his nephew Leif got married near Pittsburgh, Marvin made the effort to get to the wedding coming by train.   

Interesting that the names Marion and Milford are the names of places the family lived—Marion Ohio and Milford PA-home of some of the Kennedy family.

In 1910, Nov 22,  the long-awaited daughter Jane Ermyntrude was born on the farm in Mecca, but she was not named for several months.  She was named Jane for her grandmother Lydia Jane Kennedy Baker but her parents wanted another name for her. The story is that Della was visiting a neighbor who suggested they name her Ermyntrude, the heroine in a book the neighbor was reading.  Della went home and said I named  the baby today,  but could not remember what it was, so the next week she visited again and said Ermyntrude all the way home, to which Charlie said: ”how do you spell it?”  Della said  I don’t know and the next week Della visited again and wrote it down. But the birth certificate only says “Baby girl”!!!!!

Ermyntrude was never nicknamed!!  She was very athletic, playing center on the women’s basketball team, going to college at Kent, Ohio, getting a certificate to teach in 2 years and teaching grade school for many years.  Her first job was during the depression and she did not get paid for several months.    She married Joseph Oliver Kiewlich (farmer, a self-taught engineer at General Motors, Packard Division  Warren, OH )  June 6, 1934, and they honeymooned driving to California.  Joseph was a sleepwalker-waking Ermyntrude in the night climbing out the window of a motel in CA—she pulled him back in by the leg afraid he would get away if she went after him by the door!!! They lived across the road from the Garver farm for 4 years in a house for which they only had to pay the taxes and keep repaired. Joseph later owned a fishing camp in Ontario, Canada and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and traveling as well as farming.

They had  Leif Arnold  May 12, 1938, and moved the spring of 1940  to a 40 ac. the farm they purchased 4 miles north of Greene Twp.  Trumbull County,  Ohio.  Leif graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville PA., worked as a salesman for International Harvester in the Pittsburgh area, married Roberta Carter b. 1944- moved to Alameda CA, and had David b.  1974 and Daniel b 1976.  David received his Ph.D. in nutrition and cancer and married Merryn and had Robert.  Daniel works with computers,  received a patent and married Nora who has written a children’s book and has Joseph and a little girl.    Then Leif worked for Bank of America as an estimator, divorced, later married Stephanie Johnson King, no issue,  who does research with the veteran’s hospital.   Leif traveled to 66 countries, some in the 60 ’s when he was in the army in Germany and some as a dance host on various ships. He then worked privately as a handyman in Hillsborough, CA, divorced, lived in Monterey CA and moved back to Trumbull County OH, living in an apartment by a huge ravine with a beautiful waterfall and enjoys bowling, and playing pool.

Sandra Sue was born August 10, 1940, on the farm, graduated from Saint John College of Cleveland 1962, working as a nurse in Warren, Ohio.   She lived near Munich, Germany one year working as a nurse and EKG technician while Leif was stationed in Germany, one year in San Diego Ca and 9 years near Stanford Hospital in Palo Alto CA working as a private nurse.  Sandra traveled around the world twice (1966,1969) with Semester at Sea, a university on a ship.   Married  Stanley W Baldwin in Palo Alto CA 1970, no issue, div. 1973.    Moved back to the farm in Ohio when Ermyntrude was dying of liver cancer in Dec 1974.   Married George Kalas, farmer, July12, 1975,  4 miscarriages, no issue. Became a nurse educator in a school of nursing, mostly in Intensive Care,  receiving a Master ’s in Family Health Nursing from Akron University, 1982.  Traveled to 65  countries over the years and to every state except Alaska (but soon).  Sandra is active in her church teaching adult Bible class, enjoys volleyball, playing pool and traveling.

Linda Louise was born Jan 17,1952 in St Joseph’s Hospital, Warren, Ohio, graduated from Wooster College 1970 and taught art and photography in grade and high school in Mecca, Ohio for 30 years.  She married James Corbett, sheriff’s deputy, a businessman with Kinetico water treatment,   in 1974  and had Adam and Eric.  Adam married  Sarah  St Clair, whom he met while in college at Grove City, PA., and had  Caleb, Clair,, Copper and Clark.  Eric graduated from Akron U.  and married  Tetyana  Valesko of Ukraine who he met while working as a trainer on a ship from the Caribbean to Alaska, and have Liev ( a boy, name means lion) b.2014 and Illyana b.2016.

Linda received her Master’s in Education from Ashland College.  Linda, Jim, Adam, and Eric have remodeled at least 6 houses. Linda and Jim lived near Copenhagen, Denmark for 6 years working with Kinetico and Linda exhibited her artwork in the embassy there.   They enjoy traveling, have a big garden,  5 beef cows each year,  50 chickens each year and now have 5 pigs and a dog named Zena.  They just installed an old-fashioned water pump which can water the cows if necessary.

Charles Garver(b. 1869)  was a barrel chested man who could cut hay with a scythe bigger and wider than most men and was known for his knowledge of sheep and farming. He died of pneumonia on Ermyntrude’s birthday   Nov 22,1942, age 73. The doctor said he could have helped him if he had come a few days sooner.   With her husband dead and her children married or in the Army, Della sold the farm moved in with her daughter Ermyntrude and helped with the household. I remember her gathering eggs and cooking. One day she turned on the gas before she lit a match and caused a boom which broke some dishes in the dining room cabinet.  She made dresses for me, in fact   at Christmas  when I received  doll clothes  I said:” Gee, Mrs. Santa Claus makes buttonholes just like you, Grandma!!”  Della traveled to California,  various relatives called her a lady.  Her sisters from Marion County visited her and set up a quilting frame under the maple trees and made quilts.  When I was just a little girl my job was to push the needle back up thru the cloth when one of them lost their needle!!!!  I remember they had knobby knees and smelled like Cashmere Bouquet body powder !!

Sometime before Linda was born in 1952,  Della was moved to a small nursing home in Mecca, but sadly her roommate was deaf.    In 1954, Ermyntrude was at a neighbor’s house for a baby shower which is rare out in the county.  Sandra,  age 14, was babysitting Linda, age 2 when Ermyntrude suddenly came home and said: “I must get to Mom!!”   I remember looking out the window as she drove south and the phone was ringing—as a message that Della was doing poorly and we should come quickly—I said Mom is on her way already.

Later Ermyntrude said that she just knew she should not stay at the party but get to her Mom’s side, Grandma Della died that day,

John F Kennedy was shot of Ermyntrude’s  Nov 22   birthday and Robert Kennedy was shot on Ermyntrude’s wedding anniversary  June 6.

Charles, Della, Ermyntrude, and Joseph are buried in Hillside Cemetery, Cortland Ohio also called Lakeview.  Though they bought 6 graves at the time of Charles’ death, he was so big they used 2 grave spaces for him.

Blessings, Sandra                                                                             feel free to share, SSKK

8/1/17

JAMES W. KENNEDY, a prosperous farmer of Big Island Township, Marion County, owns a finely improved homestead on section 10.  He is ever found in the front ranks of all new enterprises and is a friend to education and progress.  His farm lands aggregate some three hundred and eighteen acres, and on his home place there stands a substantial two-story brick residence.      In 1843 a bright youth by the name of William Kennedy (our subject's father) came to this locality from his native state, Pennsylvania, and for a time worked for farmers by the month.  He made the best of his advantages, and at last became a school teacher, receiving at first only $11 a month.  Subsequently he rented a farm, and later was the owner of a good one himself.  He made a success of his various undertakings, devoted himself mainly to stock-raising, and finally became the owner of about eight hundred acres of land.      About 1844 William Kennedy married Margaret Shank, who died June 2, 1860.  Two years later Mr. Kennedy wedded Mary Lance, who is still living, and whose only child is now Mrs. E. Jones, of Crawford County, Ohio.  To the first marriage of our subject's father there were born the following children:  Nancy, deceased; Jane, Mrs. Baker of Crawford County; Thomas, a resident of the same county; Martha, Mrs. George Watts, whose death occurred in March, 1883; James;; Emma, Mrs. Madison Roberts, of this county; Anzilla, Mrs. George Watts, of Crawford County; and Margaret E., Mrs. John Hill.      James W. Kennedy was born Nov. 8, 1853, and was given a good general education, such a one as would fit him for life's duties.  His father gave him substantial assistance when he began farming on his own account.  In 1883 he purchased two hundred and fifteen acres, and a year later bought seventeen acres more.  Again, in 1886 he became the owner of another tract, containing eighty-six acres.     Sept. 21, 1880, Mr. Kennedy married Emma, daughter of P. W. and Adelia (Kilborn) Holverstatt, natives of this county.  The latter died Aug. 3, 1890, but the father is still living.  For years he has been a worker in the Baptist Church, and is identified with the Republican party.  Mrs. Kennedy is one of five children, the others being Clarence K.; Ida L., deceased; Alice A., Mrs. Smith, who is living on the old homestead; and one who died in infancy unnamed.  The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with five children: Mabel Edna, born July 29, 1881; Ethel Grace, Mar. 24, 1885; Clarence Merle, Dec. 21, 1886; Fred Laverne, O t. 17, 1888; and Lois Elberta, Mar. 7, 1892.  Fred Laverne died Sept. 25, 1889.      While Mr. Kennedy has always been an adherent of the Democracy, he, in common with many others, does not give his sanction to the present administration and policy, and if they continue in their course he may transfer his allegiance.  In his religious belief he is a Free-Will Baptist, as is also Mrs. Kennedy, and holds membership in the church at Ruth. Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 430

WILLIAM K. KENNEDY is one of the worthy old settlers of Tully Township, Marion County, and has owned and managed the farm where his present home is located for fifty-one years.  Among his friends and neighbors he is considered an authority on matters pertaining not only to agriculture, but also to questions of politics and general moment.  He cast his first Presidential ballot for Martin Van Buren, and has always adhered to the Democracy.  From time to time he has been called upon to serve in public offices, among which have been Constable, Trustee and Supervisor of the township.  He is an extensive land-owner, having three hundred and seventy-five acres in his home farm, and his possessions altogether amount to some eight hundred and twenty acres.  This shows what may be achieved by a young man who possesses energy and ambition, for he began being a good constitution and a strong determination.      A native of Mifflin County, Pa., our subject was born near the village of Waterloo, Feb.. 16, 1818.  His father, Thomas Kennedy, likewise a native of the Keystone State, was of Irish descent, and his mother was in her girlhood a Miss Nancy Kerr.  She became the mother of five sons and five daughters of whom William was the first-born.  He was born and reared on a farm in his native state, and made the journey to Ohio with his parents in 1832, by team.  The family located near Bucyrus, Crawford County, and it was in that locality that our subject first gained an independent living.  For seven years he worked for farmers by the month, receiving from $10 to $12 for his services.      In 1844 William Kennedy removed to this county, and bought eighty acres of land on section 17.  A part of this had been improved, and a log cabin stood on the place.  At the end of three years the owner purchased another farm adjoining, and here he has continued to live ever since.  He was married, May 28, 1844, to Margaret, daughter of Jacob and Lydia Shank.  She bore him nine children, and was yet in the prime of life when she was summoned by death, May 28, 1860.  The eldest child, Lydia J., marriedSamuel Baker, a farmer of Crawford County; Thomas S., a stock dealer and farmer, also lives in Crawford County; Martha, who became the wife of George Watts, a farmer, died when thirty-seven years of age; William J. is a resident of Big Island Township, this county; Emma married Madison Roberts, a farmer of Big Island Township; Anzilla is the wife of George Watts, of Polk Township; Ella, whose home is in this township, is Mrs. John Hill; and two children died in infancy.      Jan. 23, 1862, Mr. Kennedy and Miss Mary Lance were united in marriage.  The lady was born Jan. 25, 1827, in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of George and Susan (Mears) Lance, of German and English extraction, respectively.  Mrs. Kennedy came to this county with her parents when she was only about four weeks old, the journey hither being made by team.  Mr. Lance settled in what is now Crawford County, paying $1.25 per acre for eighty acres of Government land.  There he continued to make his home until he was summoned to his final rest.  Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy have only one child, Mira, who is the wife of Ellsworth Jones, a farmer of Crawford County.      Both our subject and his estimable wife received their educations in the old-fashioned log school-houses of their youth. Mrs. Kennedy is a member of the Methodist Church, and, like her husband, lends a helping hand to worthy benevolent and religious objects.  Our subject has been quite extensively engaged in stock-raising, and in this, as in nearly everything which he undertakes, he has met with success. Source: Portrait & Biographical Records of Marion & Hardin Counties, Ohio - 1895 - Page 168