Orrin Moulton, a poor farmer's life

 

Like many people, many of my ancestors were farmers or laborers and lived probably a middle-class life for the times they lived in.   Some were better off than others, but most of them worked hard all their lives to provide for their family. Then some like my ancestor, Orrin Moulton was a farmer and laborer his whole life and had little to show for all life's work besides his family.  This is his story.

Orrin D. Moulton was born on November 13, 1836 in Maxfield, Maine, as the first child of Robert Richardson Moulton and Mary Weymouth.   There are other dates of his birth depending on the source.  Orrin's death certificate lists his age at death as 60 years old which would place his birth year as 1839.  His gravestone gives birth year as 1829 and death as 1893 [both incorrect].  These dates would have come from family members and not from Orrin himself.  Orrin’s date of birth comes from the vital records of Maxfield, Maine which listed the dates of birth for residents who were eligible for military registration during the Civil War.  One list gives his date of birth as November 3, 1836 and another list as November 13, 1836.  The later date seems to match what most family descendants have recorded and his mother's Civil War Widow’s pension also stated that Orrin was born November 13, 1836.  

In 1850, Orrin Moulton age 15 was living with parents in Maxfield, Maine where his father was a farmer.  He is listed as attending school within the past year as well as most of siblings.  It is not known how much further he went in his education as there is a family story that Orrin had to drop out of school to support his family.  This family lore may be confused with another relative as Orrin’s parents were living and still attending school at age 15 at this time was a good success when others his age were not able to attend school to help with their family’s farm or find work to support themselves or their family.  As the oldest son, Orrin would have been expected to help his father with the family farm as early as possible and it would be the only trade he would know.

 

                                               Colorized tin-type photo of Orrin in the 1860s

He was in no hurry to leave home as “Oren D. Moulton” age 24, a farmer was still living at home with his parents and siblings on the 1860 census of Maxfield, Maine.  However, life would change for Orrin and his siblings within a few years.   In 1862, Orrin D. Moulton of Maxfield and Miss Emma Thompson of Orneville were married at Orneville, on November 16, 1862 by Sina Wentworth, Justice of the Peace.  It is not known how Orrin meet his wife from a neighboring town, but he may have doing farm labor for others in the area to begin making his own money and either worked with Emma’s brothers or possibly worked for her father.  Orrin’s sister, Abigail Moulton eventually married Emma’s brother James Thompson in 1866, providing a close relationship between the two families.

But tragedy would also come to Moulton family in the same year of 1862.  Orrin’s father Robert enlisted in the Civil War in January 1862.  The company being transported to Mississippi where Robert became ill and then as the company was transported to Louisiana where Robert had typhoid fever, he was put on a ship for New York in October 1862 but died on the passage. Suddenly his mother was a widow with no husband to support her and her youngest children.  In 1863, Orrin signed a deed with five of his oldest siblings giving up their interest in their father's estate to their mother, Mary Moulton, ensuring she would have a place to live without having to sell and divide whatever money between herself and her husband’s heirs.  With no inheritance, Orrin would have to make it financially on his own.

Orrin’s in-law’s Rufus and Temperance Thompson also did not come through the Civil War in a good financial place.  Orrin’s brother-in-law, whose name was Orrin Thompson had been the main support for his parents.  Temperance Thompson’s Civil War Mother’s pension stated her husband had been disabled and not able to work to support the family and they relied on their son for support.  Orrin died in 1864 in Georgia from chronic diarrhea.  This would result in Orrin’s in-laws relying on a small pension from their son’s service and no money for a dowery for their daughters or any means of financial support for any of their children.

On May 27, 1865, Mary Moulton sold to Orrin D. Moulton of Maxfield, Lot 3, 4th range in Howland for $100.  However, he did not keep the property long as Orrin D. Moulton of Orneville sold for $100, the same lot to George E. Call of Lagrange, deed dated January 9, 1871 with his wife, Emma Moulton giving up her Dower rights.  Her signature does not appear on the deed and Orrin only made his mark on the deed.  Orrin was never able to buy property again.

In 1870, Orren D. Moulton, age 35, farm laborer was living in Lagrange, Maine with Emma Moulton, age 22, and 3 children.  By 1880, Orin D. Moulton, age 48, listed as working with hay press and was living in Orneville, Maine with his wife, Emma L. Moulton, age 32, keeping house, and 5 children.  Orrin either rented homes that were available on the farms where he worked or nearby homes in the area.  He never was able to afford his own home.

Nothing else is known about Orrin after 1880 until 1899 and sadly things had not improved for Orrin in his later years.

                                   From the Piscataquis Observer, issue of October 12, 1899

                                Piscataquis Observer, issue of October 19, 1899

Orrin died on October 15, 1899 in Orneville, Maine from diabetes according to his death certificate.  I am not sure what standards the above article used to measure his "easy" death.   He was buried in Orneville Cemetery, Orneville, Maine.

His widow, Emma appears on the 1900 and 1910 census records living with her youngest son, Charles Moulton.  The story of Orrin dropping out of high school to support his family was likely his son Charles.  The 1940 census listed Charles as only attending school until the 5th grade around 1890.  Charles being the last son at home probably was needed to start finding work to help his parents if the article about Orrin's failing health over a number of years is correct.

Emma (Thompson) Moulton died April 11, 1912 in Orneville, Maine and buried with her husband.

                                            Piscataquis Observer, issue of April 30, 1914

A reunion of their descendants was formed in 1926 called the Moulton-Thompson Reunion.  The last reunion was in 2019 as due to the Covid pandemic in 2020, it was cancelled.

 Orrin D. Moulton and Emma L. Thompson had the following children:

1.    Eldora Anne Moulton was born on August 25, 1863 in Orneville,  Maine. She died on March 3, 1941 in Orneville, Maine. She married Nelson Ellis on March 25,  1881 in Bradford, Maine.

2.    George Henry Moulton was born on February 8, 1867 in Maxfield, Maine. He died on September 7, 1931 in Atkinson, Maine.

3.    Iva Beatrice Moulton was born on December 2, 1872 in Orneville, Maine. She died on December 18, 1910 in Atkinson, Maine. . She married 1) Llewellyn Cobb in 1891. She married 2) Henry Bragg Paine on May 27, 1894 in Atkinson, Maine.

4.    Edwin Rufus Moulton was born on April 25,  1873 in Orneville, Maine. He died on January 10, 1944 in Bangor, Maine. He married 1) Huldah Jane Badger on November 25, 1893 in Orneville, Maine,. He married 2) Elizabeth Crowder on January 4, 1913 in Brewer,  Maine.

5.    Nancy Emma Moulton was born on April 21, 1877 in Orneville, Maine. She died on December 24, 1935 in Bangor, Maine. She married 1) Lot Alexander Hall on October 27, 1899 in Milo, Maine. She married 2) Fred Davidson Morton on April 30,  1909 in Exeter, Maine.

6.    Charles Prescott Moulton was born on April 2, 1881 in Orneville,  Maine. He died on May 19, 1972 in Orono, Maine. He married Emma Leona Paine on April 11,  1904 in Atkinson, Maine.

Cousin Arioch Wentworth, former Mayor Of Tombstone, Arizona

Doing some research on my great-grandmother, Emmie (Moiwer) Smith's family, I came across a cousin whose had the unusual name of Arioch Wentworth and his surprising connection to Tombstone, Arizona, site of the famous O.K. Corral gunfight.

Arioch Wentworth

Arioch Wentworth was born in Corinna, Maine on October 2, 1850, the son of Horace and Sarah (Buxton) Wentworth.  He was the only surviving son as he was the third male child born to his parents but the only one to survive infancy.  His parents moved to Benton, Maine in 1856 and appear on the 1860 census there with him and his two older sisters with his father listed as a farmer.  By 1870, the family had settled in Vassalboro, Maine where his father now owned a tanning and carrier shop and appears to have been doing very well based on his personal wealth.  Arioch who now 19, was listed as working in his father's shop.  According to his biography in the Bisbee Daily Review in 1919, "after his schooling had been completed, he worked for his father until 1880."

Arioch married Ellen R Hussey on May 6 1874 in Vassalboro, Maine and they had one son, Horace Bartholomew Wentworth born July 2, 1877 also born in Vassalboro. But as his above Bio stated he worked with his father until 1880 and it seems domestic family life was not what Arioch really wanted, as we learn by 1880, "he took up railroading and slowly grifting westward until he arrived at Fairbank in February 1885."   Fairbank being a now famous ghost town in Arizona.   I like the description of his "slowly grifting westward" as grift means "made money dishonestly as in a swindle, to engage in petty or small scale swindling."  No further details on his grift, but it implies he may have been earning a living in a not so reputable manner.  Also, Arioch abandoned his wife and son in Maine.  By 1880, his family was living with relatives in Maine, eventually his son and wife settling in Portland, Maine.  His wife, Ellen did not file for divorce until 1896 when she petitioned for the divorce from Arioch Wentworth on the grounds of utter desertion for more than 3 consecutive years.  The divorce was decreed on February 4, 1897.  The 1900 and 1910 census records do list Arioch as divorced, until 1920, when he was listed as a widower.  This change may have been that he received notice that his former wife had died in 1919 in Maine. 

                                      Undated photo of Arioch Wentworth from Find-a-Grave

Arioch continued on with the New Mexico and Arizona railroad in Fairbank where voting records show that he was a clerk and then an agent for Wells Fargo.  Arioch arrived in Tombstone, Arizona in 1892, then a well known mining camp town from the O.K. gunfight that had taken place just eleven years before he arrived in 1881.  Once in Tombstone, he quickly became engaged in Public life being elected County Recorder for Cochise County for two terms and then elected County Treasurer for two terms.  He invested in many of the businesses of Tombstone and became quite successful citizen. He was elected Mayor of Tombstone beginning in 1903 and only missing a few terms until 1910.  He maintained the Tombstone Billiard Parlor until he retired in 1912 and sold his interests in the business. Arioch became a Justice of the Peace for Cochise County which he continued after he retired.

"Mayor, A. Wentworth, a staunch Democrat. When McKinley was elected, Wentworth said he wouldn’t cut his hair till we had a Democratic president. His locks were long and white before his dream came true.” Arizona Cattlelog, November 1949, Arizona Cattle Growers Association.  President McKinley was elected in 1897 and followed by Theodore Roosevelt and Howard Taft. It wouldn't be until 1912, when Woodrow Wilson was elected that he would have cut his hair.

According to biography of Cochise County Treasurer's Office " Mayor  Wentworth was a colorful character about Tombstone.  He was famous for making 'jackrabbit' punch, was catcher on the 'Vinegarones' baseball team and had a bunch of cats.  His pet cat family included 'Pete and Smoky,' accomplished trick cats who even turned summersaults."

                                                        Arioch Wentworth, 1919

In 1919, his most unique claim was being part of the Chinese Masons.

                                                Bisbee Daily Review,  December 17, 1919

It is unclear how much contact Arioch had with his son and family in Maine after leaving his wife and son behind while he moved west to become a local success.  The above newspaper account included that Arioch had a son, Horace living in Portland, Maine and two granddaughters, Elena and Cynthia Wentworth which implies that he had some knowledge of his family in Maine.  Arioch probably maintained contact with his sister, Ruth Jones of Readfield, Maine as he named her in his will dated 1912.  She may have kept him up to date on his son and family in Maine.

In 1920, Arioch Wentworth was 69 years old, a widower, and was renting a home on Fourth Street.  He was listed as a Justice of the Peace and making a wage on his own account.

   

Arioch Wentworth died on March 2, 1921 in Tombstone, Arizona.  His funeral was a rather big production for Tombstone and reveals how popular Arioch was the area at that time.

                                                        Bisbee Daily Review, March 3, 1921

                                                    Bisbee Daily Review, March 9, 1921

Although, it is not known how close he was to his only son, but Horace did travel to Tombstone to settle things.  

                                Bisbee Daily Review, March 15, 1921

The Will of Arioch Wentworth which was dated January 2, 1912 asked that his funeral expenses be paid from his estate.  He left $100 to his sister, Ruth Jones of Readfield, Maine and all the rest of his estate was left to his "Beloved son, Horace B. Wentworth" of Portland, Maine.

Four Sisters, Four Different Women: Velma

Velma Beatrice Skinner was born in Portland, Maine on February 23, 1903, with her mother dying only two months later from blood poisoning from her birth. The family was blessed with a new baby sister, but also the loss of their mother, whom Velma would never know.   Although, it could have been easy for her sisters having some resentment towards her with their mother's death, none of her sisters ever said they felt this way, but seemed to be bonded together their entire lives.  Her father remained in Portland until 1904 and then moved the family back to Exeter, Maine where his parents lived.  

                                41 Pitt St in 1900 where Velma was born and current photo 1990s

She was raised in Exeter, Maine by her grandparents and later, her oldest sister, Bertha who she looked at as a mother figure in her life.  She attended schools in Exeter, Maine, attended Corinna Union Academy for her final years of education.  

Velma as a young girl

In 1920, Velma Skinner, age 16 was attending school in Corinna.  She appears on the 1920 census of Exeter, Maine with her father, and older sisters, Bertha and Alice.  Bertha listed as working in a mill and Alice in a hospital.  On the same census of Corinna, Maine, Bertha Skinner, age 28, working as a weaver in a woolen Mill (probably the Kenwood Woolen Mill in Corinna) and Velma Skinner, age 16 was living with her while attended school.  Both of them were listed as "roomers" in the household of Elmer and Gladys Hopkins

Velma graduated from Corinna Union Academy in 1924.   In August of 1924 Velma married Gus Burton of Corinna, Maine, her fellow classmate.  

Velma

Gus and Velma Burton 

                                                Bangor Daily News, August 27, 1924

Velma may have been in some pain during the honeymoon.  They married on Sunday and then the next day on Monday according the same newspaper under Corinna Events that announced their marriage, Velma was hospitalized.

                                            Bangor Daily News August 27, 1924

They had one daughter together.  He was an Insurance agent and traveled frequently.  Gus deserted Velma not long after the birth of his daughter.  Their marriage ended when Velma filed for divorce on the grounds of cruel and abusive treatment.  Their divorce was granted on October 2, 1929, Bangor, Maine.  At the time, Gus was residing in Woodland, Maine where he remarried four months later and had his 2nd child, a son John born six months after his marriage.  Velma received custody of their daughter, Marion and Gus did not play a role his daughter's life as her father. 

        Front: Hilma Smith and Athalie Smith;  Back L to R: Alice Skinner, Ethelyn (Skinner) Smith, Velma (Skinner) Burton holding her daughter, Marion in 1927.

In 1930, Velma S. Burton , age 27, was renting a room at 19 Spring street in Dexter, Maine and was listed as trained nurse.  Her daughter, Marion was living with her sister, Alice in Dexter as well.  It is not known if it was easier for Alice to care for her niece as she was not working full time, but as an on call nurse, rather than Velma to have her daughter living with her.  For a period of time, Velma had to leave her daughter with her sister, Ethelyn's family in Corinna, Maine.  A time which Marion remembered her aunt Ethelyn and cousins fondly, but stated she was scared to death of her uncle Don Smith. 

By 1931, Velma Burton was employed at the National Confectionary Company, Bangor, Maine and was resided at 266 French Street, a home owned by William and Rose Pennell and probably rented a room with them. In 1932, Velma Burton was still employed at the National Confectionery Company but had moved to 119 Cedar Street, in Bangor, Maine that was listed in the Bangor Directory as the Gorham E. Trott's rooms.  She was living there as late as 1933. 

But in 1934, Velma Burton had moved to 431 Main Street and was listed with no occupation.  This was the same address of John R. Hickson, who was a salesman for the National Confectionery Company where Velma worked as a clerk.  John had resided there with his first wife, Mabel (Fish) Hickson until 1933.  In 1934, John was residing at 431 Main Street, but his wife had moved to 3 Grace Court.  In 1935, both Velma Burton and John Hickson were living at 431 Main St, where she had no occupation and John was still a salesman. John divorced his first wife, Mabel on May 2, 1935 on the grounds of cruel and abusive treatment.  It is not know if Velma was working for John as a housekeeper as she was not working at the Confectionery Company and with John no longer married, he may have been in need of someone to take care of himself and his home..  

                                            Bangor Daily News, August 10, 1936

Velma and John Hickson were married on August 9, 1936 in Bangor, Maine.   The 1937 directory of Bangor for the previous year, still listed Mrs. Velma Burton residing at 431 Main St.  John Hickson adopted her daughter, Marion who then was known as Marion Alice Hickson.  The same newspaper issue above that announced John and Velma's marriage, also had an article on John R. Hickson that he attended a National Confectionery Dinner which he announced he was leaving after 16 years to form his own company.

By 1937, Velma Hickson began working at Freese's Department store in Bangor as clerk where she continued to work through out the 1940s.  

In 1940, John Hickson, age 27, salesman for a confectionary Co. was living at 431 Main St., Bangor, Maine with his wife, Velma S. Hickson, age 35, a sales lady at a Dept. store; his son, Harold R. Hickson, age 18; and his daughter Charlotte R. Hickson, age 16.  It has been suggested that Velma married John Hickson, not out of true love, but more of a convenience of the time period which would allow Velma to live comfortably in a house with her daughter and raise the children of John Hickson as well.  This union only lasted 9 years.  John Hickson petitioned for divorce from Velma Burton Hickson on the grounds of cruel and abusive treatment and granted his divorce on April 18, 1945.

                                                            Velma in 1948, Dexter, Maine

Velma taken in 1950

After her divorce, Velma moved to Essex Street and was a buyer at Freese's Dep. store.  She remained single for 7 more years.  During that time, her only daughter, Marion married and began her own  family.  She married a third time to Eddie Russell, a barber in Bangor  on October 12, 1952.  Her daughter and grandchildren feel she was happy in her marriage to Eddie as they shared a lot of interests together. She also was given the affectionate nickname of G-Russ for Grammie Russell by her grandchildren.

Eddie Russell, 1950s

Eddie and Velma Russell, 1950s

By the 1960s, Velma was an Avon Sales representative which she sold for 30 years.

She is often remembered by family members as always being stylish for the time and always looked her best when she left the house to work or just to go shopping visiting a friend or her family.

                                            Alice Skinner, Myron Skinner, and Velma Russell

                                            Alice Skinner and Velma Russell, Dexter, Maine, 1966

In final years, she took care of her older sister, Alice Skinner which was seemed to be a lot for her to handle with own health issues.  The sisters often bickered while living together, despite being close most of their adult lives.

Alice and Velma

Velma died Christmas Eve, 1987.

Bangor Daily News, obituary:

BANGOR, Velma S. Russell, 84, of 9 Dayton St., died Dec. 24, 1987, at a Bangor hospital after a brief illness. She was born in Portland, the daughter of Myron and Edna (Southard) Skinner. She was the wife of the late Edward C. Russell, who died in 1977. Mrs. Russell was a longtime member of the Essex Street Baptist Church. She was an Avon sales representative for 30 years and for many years she worked Freeses and Burdells. She is survived by one daughter, Marion Walsh of Bangor; a sister, Alice Skinner of Bangor; nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

She was buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, Bangor, Maine with her sister, Alice.  Her third husband, Eddie Russell was buried in Chamberlain Cemetery, Exeter, Maine with Velma's family.  It was said that Velma had intended to be buried with Eddie in Exeter, Maine

Augustus Marion Burton and Velma Beatrice Skinner had the following children:

1. Marion Alice [Burton] adopted by Hickson was born on February 20  1926 in Skowhegan, Somerset, Maine, USA. She died on August 30, 2014 in Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, USA. She married Patrick Michael Walsh on June 26, 1947 in Bangor, Penobscot, Maine, USA.  Shew as the mother of nine children.

Four Sisters, Four Different Women: Ethelyn

Ethelyn Violet Skinner was third daughter born to Myron and Edna (Southard) Skinner on 7 May 1898 in Portland, Maine.  She was born at home at 41 Pitt Street in Portland where her parents were living at the time of her birth.  She appears to have been happy as a child living at home in Portland with her family in photos.

Ethelyn on the left as an infant in 1898 with her mother and sisters, Alice and Bertha.  Ethelyn age 4 in 1902 on right

She and her two older sisters attended Oakdale School in Portland which was located a few buildings away from where they were living.  Her mother contracted blood poisoning from the birth and for the next few months suffered, dying just weeks before Ethelyn’s 5th birthday.  In 1904, her father moved the family to Exeter, Maine where her grandparents could help raise Ethelyn and her sisters.

Ethelyn and her sisters in 1902 in Portland,

Maine Bertha age 10, Alice age 6 and Ethelyn age 4

At some point in Ethelyn's childhood, she was taken in by her adopted grandparents, John and Mary (Tibbets) Pease who had adopted her mother, Edna.  Ethelyn's daughter, Hilma said that the Pease's were willing to only adopt and care for Ethelyn because she reminded them of their adopted daughter, Edna.  It may have been that Ethelyn's father knew of his wife's unhappy childhood and adoption by the Pease's who only wanted to adopt one of his daughters, that helped in the decision in keeping his four daughters together and raising them himself.  There was a photo taken of Ethelyn as a child with the Pease's probably taken soon after they arrived in Exeter, but it does not appear that she was raised by them for any amount of time.

Mary and John Pease, 

She attended schools in Exeter.  A diary kept by Ethelyn's oldest sister, Bertha in 1913 paints a picture of Ethelyn and her sisters spending most of their days doing chores and homework with little help from neighbors or family with the family farm.  A letter from Ethelyn's uncle, George Skinner of Hyde Park, Massachusetts arrived that same year asking if Myron would be willing to send one his daughters to live with them to help with the household chores.  None of the girls ever left home as children to work elsewhere.  She graduated from Exeter High School in 1917.  She then took a teaching job in New Sweden, Maine where many people of Swedish ancestry had settled.  She resided with a family named Anderson while teaching in Aroostook county and the woman who looked after her was named Hilma.  Ethelyn named her first daughter after this woman who was so kind to her since it was her first time away from her family and home.

Ethelyn 1915, Exeter, Maine

Ethelyn about 1918

A postcard and a letter written to Ethelyn by Donald Smith dated 1918 while he was stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts during World War I shows she had already met her future husband.  It is not known how they met exactly.  His letter to her discussed the idea of her moving to Corinna and earning more money by working in the mill there and to be closer to her family.   Ethelyn's sister, Bertha began working in the mill in Corinna and had rented a room in Corinna with their younger sister, Velma, who was attending school at Corinna Union Academy.  There had been contact between Ethelyn's maternal biological family, the Southards who were also from Corinna and it may have been through this connection that Ethelyn met her husband who was also from Corinna.  It is also possible they met through Ethelyn's cousin, Harold Skinner who was also stationed at Fort Devens with Donald. In 1918, she returned home and began working in the mill in Corinna, Maine. 

Donald returned to Corinna after being discharged from the service in 1919 and married Ethelyn in Corinna within months of returning home.  Their marriage was announced by Mary Pease, her adopted grandmother, who paid for their wedding as well.   Donald and Ethelyn honeymooned in New Sweden, Maine.

Ethelyn and Donald wedding 1919

They returned to Corinna and rented an apartment in town while their home was being built on Pleasant street.  Their home was actually an old barn that was moved closer to the road and rebuilt into a house on one side and the other side was for Donald’s business as a painter and paper hanger.  The land was given to Donald by his father. 

Ethelyn was a mother to six children.  She had first, Hilma born in 1920 and second, Athalie born in 1922. Then they had no children for ten years. Ethelyn then had four more children over the next ten years, Donald born in 1932, Gwendolyn born in 1934, Dean born in 1936 and Glenn born in 1940 when she was 42 years old.  She had all, but her last child at home. 

She raised the six children and was a very good cook.  Many of the memories of her children and relatives were the many great desserts she made as well as being in the kitchen always cooking over a hot stove, even during the summer months.  After, her in-laws home burned in 1946, they also moved in with her family, adding a separate apartment for them in the part of the house that was Donald’s business.  But as her mother-in-law became older and needed more help, a door was put between the residences, so Ethelyn could help her.

Don and Ethelyn with 4 youngest children, Malcom, Glenn, Dean

and Gwen 1946, Corinna, Maine

Ethelyn marriage was not a happy one as her husband was physically abusive to her and the children.  Because she had children to care for and no income, even the few times she left him, she returned home.  Her daughter felt that much of her father's issues came from the stress of having too many children and not enough money after the depression and war and took his frustration and anger out on his wife and children.  After her husband’s death, she was her finally able to enjoy her family and free of the constant worry of her husband’s anger.

As her children grew up and left home, Ethelyn was able to work outside the home.  She worked at the snowflake canning Company in Corinna and was a member of the Pleasant Street Christian Church.  Ethelyn was well liked by everyone from neighbors and relatives who felt she was always kind and caring towards them.

Ethelyn and Donald 1962 at their son

Glenn's wedding

For me as Ethelyn was my grandmother, I know was lucky to spend time with her as a child.  I remember she was my grandmother that hugged me, spent time with me and made me feel special. I liked spending time with her.

In 1972, after suffering from diabetes for several years, she had to have surgery as the circulation in her legs had gotten worse and started to cause her toes to turn black.  It was decided to amputate her leg to stop the spread.  She died following the amputation at Thayer Hospital in Waterville, Maine.

Ethelyn was buried in Village cemetery, Corinna, Maine next to her husband and son, Dean.



Donald Clifford Smith and Ethelyn Violet Skinner had the following children:

1.    Hilma Edna Smith was born on 11 May 1920 in Corinna, Maine She died on 21 February 2011 in Corinna, Maine. She married Thurlow Dalziel Knowles on 14 October  1939 in Corinna, Maine.

2.    Athalie Shirley Smith was born on 22 July 1922 in Corinna, Maine. She died on 9 October 1986 in Falmouth, Maine. She married Orris Stanley Basford on 3 August 1940 in Burnham, Maine.

3.    Donald Malcolm Smith was born on 15 July 1932 in Corinna, Maine. He died on 24 October 2020 in Gorham, Maine.  He married Barbara Dean Merrill on 20 November 1954 in Dexter, Maine.

4.    Gwendolyn Mary Smith was born on 8 March 1934 in Corinna, Maine. She died on 18 December 1990 in Bowdoinham, Maine. She married Carl Merton Bragg on 4 September 1951 in Newport, Maine, USA. She married Richard Fowler before 1967. She married Henry S. Gilliam on 28 January 1978 in Brunswick, Maine.

5.    Dean Wendall Smith was born on 17 December 1936 in Corinna, Maine. He died on 23 September 1997 in Bangor, Maine. He married Cindy Loughman in March 1973 in Bangor, Maine. He married Starr Lounder on 25 July 1982 in Bangor, Maine. He married Elizabeth N Lally on 20 June 1987 in Maine, USA.

6.    Glenn Stanton Smith was born on 27 December 1940 in Hartland, Maine. He died on 28 June 1996 in Gorham, Maine. He married Shirley Ann Buzzell on 31 August 1962 in Corinna, Penobscot, Maine, USA.

Four Sisters, Four different Women: Alice

Alice Marguerite Skinner was the second child born to Myron and Edna (Southard) Skinner on February 7, 1896 in Portland, Maine.  Like her older sister, Alice attended schools in Portland until 1904, when her father moved the family back to Exeter, Maine.  She was raised by grandparents until their deaths and then by older sister, Bertha.  She attended schools in Exeter and graduated from Exeter High School in 1915. 

For a few years she remained at home helping her sister with the chores and raising her other two sisters.  Like many young women at that time, she would have been expected to marry and have a husband to support her.  However, that did not happen with Alice, either by her own choice or that she may not have had a “beau” in Exeter.  A class photo shows the ratio of girls far outnumbered the boys and with Alice who rather plain in looks, dark hair and taller than some boys, she may not have been the first pick of the few boys in school, especially when her younger sister had the blond hair and fair skin to compete with.

Alice chose to have a career in nursing.  Whether it was something she felt came naturally to her or because she wanted to pursue career where she could make her own money without a husband, is not known.  She attended Eastern Maine General Hospital's School of Nursing in Bangor, Maine starting in 1918.

Alice and friend at school in 1920

Alice at home in Exeter in 1922

Alice did not graduate from the nursing program.   An event while school would change her life and have far reach consequences that she probably would never have expected.  The rules of school were quite explicit that student nurses where not to become to familiar with the doctors at the hospital.  Any interaction outside of the school was forbidden.  Alice, however, choose to risk it all, when it came to one certain doctor who either preyed upon a young naïve student or liked the attention of having a young woman enchanted by him.

O. R. Emerson as a young man

His name was Doctor Oscar Rodney Emerson of Newport, Maine.  He was known as Dr. O. R. Emerson locally.  He was 20 years older than Alice and married.   He had married his wife in 1896, the same year Alice was born.  He was well known and respected doctor, having established a medical practice in Newport, Maine and covered a large area of patients.  Dr. Emerson at times, did surgery at Bangor hospital and worked with the nurses who training at the school.   We don’t know exactly how they met or who pursued who, but an affair began between them. Word got around about the “closeness” between the two of them and Alice expelled from the school. 

Alice and O.R. 1922

In 1920, she was listed as a nurse working at a hospital on the census record while living at home. How she explained her departure from school to her father and sisters is not known.  Maybe they knew or heard of what had happened or maybe a good cover story was invented.   Either out guilt of getting Alice expelled or he really loved Alice, he would now be responsible for providing Alice with work and continue to see her for the next twenty years.   

She became a practical nurse working at Chase Hospital in Guilford, Maine then later at the Dover-Foxcroft Hospital.  Photos of her show her having fun with the other nurses at the hospitals.

Alice and fellow nurses at Chase Hospital

Bathing Beauties 1920s Alice at

Chase Hospital in Dover

Plummer Memorial Hospital had been established in Dexter, Maine by 1920 which became Dr. Emerson’s main place of work.  As one of Alice’s co-worker’s stated, with Dr. Emerson’s reputation as a surgeon, he only had to ask for Alice to come to Dexter and this would be where Alice would work for the rest of her life.

Plummer Memorial Hospital, Dexter, Maine

In 1930, Alice M. Skinner, now 34, was a private nurse boarding with Ernest L. and Cora (Brown) Colbath in Dexter, Maine. Cora Colbath was a first cousin to Alice's father, Myron Skinner.  Alice developed a close relationship with them and referred to Cora as “Aunt Cora.”  

Alice at 31 Birch St, Dexter, 1934

Cora (Brown) Colbath, 1934

31 Birch St. Dexter

The year 1939 would be a pivotal year in Alice’s life.  Alice was now 43 years old and had been involved with Dr. Emerson almost 20 years.  However, living on a nurse’s salary she was able to buy her own house in Dexter, Maine.  The deed shows she paid only $1 and the phrase added in was “and for other valuable considerations.”  It was well known that Dr. Emerson was that “consideration.”

Alice's home at 113 High Street

Alice also kept a diary of the events of this year.  Her entries involved her setting house, buying furniture, curtains and clothes from Bangor stores.  Although she never names Dr. Emerson, she recorded her meetings with her “S” or sweetheart.  Sadly, many entries in the diary describe her waiting for her “S” to either call her or visit her.  At this point in time, as her visits and calls with her “S” were very few, it may be the passion of the long affair may have fizzled out some.   Afterall, Dr. Emerson was now 67 years old and there were rumors that he was known to friendships with other women as well. 

It would come to an end this same year.  On September 25, 1939, Dr. Emerson would be in automobile accident.  Alice noted the day before, that her “S” had visited and that it was a short visit as he seemed very tired and not his usual self.  Mrs. Emerson aware of her husband’s relationship with Alice had forbidden her to see him.  However, a nurse took pity on Alice and brought him to see him.  Alice again wrote that her held her hand tight in his and had tried to say something and she knew what he was thinking.  It would be the last time she would see him. Dr. Emerson died September 7, 1939.  

Newspaper death of Dr. Emerson

For next 50 years, Alice would continue to live her life in the shadow of this affair.  Although, she had the freedom to see her sisters and their families more often without the worry she would miss a visit from her “S” while she was gone from home.  She continued to work at Plummer Memorial and often worked with children or did private nursing for families in the area.

Alice in 1948, Dexter, Maine

Alice in 1958 at her sister's house in Corinna, Maine

She eventually began to slowly withdraw from society.  She became more of a recluse as got older and even with her own family.  Most family relatives can tell a story of going to visit her and she would not even answer the door or answer the phone.  She kept a photo of Dr. Emerson with her at all times.  She talked to it like he was there with her.  This may have been her way of coping with his death.  Her niece told the story of going to visit her aunt in Dexter and saw Alice sitting outside in a chair.  As she walked across the lawn and got closer, she realized that Alice was talking to Dr. Emerson photograph that was sitting in a chair next to her.   Startled when her niece called her name, she became very upset and told her to go back to the front door and wait there which she did.  Alice then picked up the photo and went into the house, put the photo away and then answered the door.  No mention was made of his photograph.  

Alice and her sister Velma in 1966

Alice remained living alone until 1985 when she became too ill to live on her own.  Her only surviving sister, Velma took her in to live with her.  But it was not ideal.  They had been close as sisters, but they fought once they lived together.   Velma died in 1987.  Alice was then placed in a nursing home in Brewer, Maine where died on July 31, 1988 at age 92.