Olin Family Society Newsletter

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Memories of Willard Olin

Ellen

Cousin Ellen Jane (Olin) Frank (1923-2017) was the daughter of Otto Olin. Otto was our grandfather Charlie's brother. You may remember Ellen from several of our Olin family reunions in the past. Ellen had written down some of her memories of the Olins and I thought I'd share them here. This first piece is about her grandfather, Willard Olin (1868-1946).

Willard

In New Brighton, while building our little house, the workers were taking a break; Grandpa Willard, my dad (Otto), my uncles Charlie, Vern and Delma. I had a question, and dad said to ask his Pa.

"Grandpa," I said, "Can I ask you something? How do you put our toenails on a stud?" Come with me and I'll show you," he answered. I was a little kid of about eight and took his hand as he led me to the pile of studs, holding his hammer in the other hand. We lifted one of the studs upright on the pencil line of the bottom rail. "The stud has to be nailed to the rail. How do we do it? We can't pound the nail straight-in anyplace. That's when we toe it in, at an angle, slanted so it goes through the stud into the rail. The biggest mistake the Rookies make is to use too few nails," he explained. "Use at least two nails on each side and sometimes three." That's how Grandpa taught me; by showing me. He showed me how to pound nails out of the used lumber we were using. He also showed me how to straighten the crooked nails so they could be re-used.

Grandpa Willard was mostly a sad person. He seldom smiled or laughed or talked to anyone. He had blue eyes that knew how to twinkle. He was quite tall and had a big chest. He also had big hands. My dad also had those same big hands; big, yet gentle. I believe family traits and characteristics are handed down from one generation to the next. Look at my son Jim's hands, and you will see those same hands!

Grandpa Willard lived in town and he liked coming out to visit us in New Brighton. He liked mom's home-cooked meals; he got tired of restaurant food all week long. He ate a lot but said very little.

Willard and Sadie

The biggest surprise about Grandpa Willard was his fiddle. I didn't know he had one as nobody ever talked about it. The first time I heard him play was at Stone Lake. The story of Stone Lake is that it was a small resort north and west of Two Harbors. The resort was owned by Aunt Sadie and Uncle Billy Sandretzky. Aunt Sadie was a sister to Grandpa Willard. She and Billy had a large family and so did Willard. When they all got together in the summer for a reunion, it was a huge gathering! There was a big house and several cabins and when the families arrived, tents were set up as well. Also set up was a big wooden platform with a rope railing. Towards evening the music started. Accordion, mandolin, banjo and Grandpa with his fiddle. Now he came alive. He smiled and his eyes lit up. His toes tapped to the tune and his whole body swayed back and forth as he played. I couldn't stop watching him all evening. He seemed like a new and different person. Everyone danced! There was the Polka, the Schottitz and the Waltz; and the Circle Two-Step as well as the Square-Dance with a caller for both. Grandpa played all evening, never seeming to tire.

When everyone was taking a break, Aunt Sadie went over to talk to Grandpa and then she announced, "Wil is going to play us a tune." Grandpa stood up and played the sweetest music I had ever heard! He never played scratchy or whiny. His playing was always smooth and sweet. I wanted him to keep on playing forever, it was so beautiful! Through the years I heard him play at a few parties. As he aged, he still played beautifully.

Ellen, Geraldine, and Willard

Willard started playing the fiddle at a young age. In that era dances were the primary leisure activity. Hay wagons were used to pick up friends along the way to the designated dance location. In winter they put on sleigh runners in place of the wheels. These country dances were held in town halls, barns or schools. Willard and friends were popular at the dances. They rode around the countryside to the little towns and villages where every performance was well attended. It was at one of these dances that Willard and Ella first met. He was from Anoka County and she grew up in Staples. Her family (McGillivary) was a strict, devout, religious group (Presbyterian). They objected to their daughter marrying an itinerant fiddle player who didn't go to church. They refused to allow her a church wedding, so the two of them eloped, and went to the Olin family in Anoka County.

Later the Olin group moved to Grand Rapids. Willard worked at the busy Kingston Wood Lot, and also in the construction of houses with his father, Tom Olin, who was a master builder. Willard earned extra money playing his fiddle at the many dances in the area.

In the spring when the ice melted off the river, the lumberjacks left the northern forests and floated their boats down river where they tied up above the rapids. After a long, cold winter, they wanted a bath, clean clothes, and good food; along with some fun. When several of these jack-boats were tied up, there were a lot of men and the town welcomed them because they had money to spend. A big wood platform was assembled near the landing. Musicians arrived, and soon the dancing started; all during the afternoons and into the wee hours of the morning. Willard was there, of course, along with a lot of other musicians, and sometimes a piano was carried up to the platform for Rena to play the piano while Pa played the fiddle. Pa would let Rena and Camilla, his teen-aged daughters, dance with the "Jacks" as did many of the townspeople. This was allowed only during the afternoon and early evening, but when the drinking began and the carousing started to get disorderly, he closed up his fiddle and took his daughters home. Neither he nor Ella ever indulged in, or allowed, any such behavior in their home. Ella and Willard didn't go to church, but they instilled strict moral ethics in their children. When the lumbering industry dwindled away, Willard and Ella moved to Bovey, and then later to Duluth.

Willard was greatly devoted to Ella, and when she passed away in 1923 it was as though his life fell apart and he became a sad, lonely person.

At my vast age of 83, I have the joy of retaining my memory so that I can reflect and recall events from my childhood and the happiness I had in the closeness of my Grandpa Willard and all his children, my beloved aunts and uncles.

Another joy I have is the fact that so many family traits, characteristics and mannerisms are inherited and passed from one generation to the next. Interacting with my own children and their families and with my many cousins brings back many memories of my childhood experiences. What a great heritage!

Labor Day

Where did summer go! I am already harvesting my city garden crop. It was a good year for almost everything. I (have) had tomatoes, purple beans, purple carrots, ground cherries, grapes, raspberries, pumpkins, sweet potatoes, jalapeno and bell peppers, cukes, rhubarb and all kinds of herbs. But best of all, I have flowers and milkweed to attract the scores of bees and butterflies that visited me this year. I really enjoyed their visits and always walked away smiling at these little things in life that have so much positive mood-altering power! Hope your summer was great too. So, what's been going on in the family this summer...

Cousins Reunion

A bunch of us traveled up to Fergus Falls and Battle Lake for a get-together. Some of us spent several days at an AirB&B on a creek that was situated between two great fishing lakes and a lot of fish were caught. Others stayed as guests at my Mother's. Cousins spent time visiting, kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. Those who attended were Cheri (Erving) Moikubo, Bonnie (Schweigert) Schram, Bob Tillman and his family (Mark, Chris (on right), Julia and husband Nick and their daughter, Faye), Mary Ellen Olin, Jerry Olin, Jr. and his daughters Alexandra and Alisha (on left), me of course and my daughter Gretchen and grandson Odin, as well as my parents, Janet and Jerry Lindberg. I want to say special thanks to Alex and Alisha for helping me out with Odin—you guys rock!

Janet and Jerry Lindberg visit Oklahoma and Texas

We were very warmly greeted and given a guest room at the place Andrea and Mike live. It was right down the hall from them and Mike took care of all costs and we shared meals with them in the dining room. We enjoyed doing things with them in their building as well as seeing Texarkana. I walked with Mike every day to take his dog to the park. We were earlier at David and Amy's and enjoyed their home and all the gifted things they did to make it a special home. Also, just loved the family time. Earlier than that we were at Lake Buchanan near Burnett TX and enjoyed a pontoon ride on the lake and sight seeing in that area. All in all the best of the times was just being with family we loved on the entire trip.

When Jerry and I Texarkana, we headed to Grove, OK to see my sister Virginia and had a great visit. Everyone treated us like royalty—providing us with great food and comfortable sleeping arrangements. We had not seen them in years. We had a great time catching up on the years of being apart. So nice to see the lovely place they lived. There had been much rain, so missed seeing Deb and Martin's place but they graciously came to see us and greeted us warmly. We love and miss them. — Janet Lindberg

Anniversaries

Ben and Julie Hoglund Anniversary

Julie and I had a great time celebrating our 30^th Anniversary in Maui in June. It’s one of our favorite places, but the last time we were there was on our honeymoon. We ran into an “old couple” on our first trip. I can’t remember if it was their 10^th or 20^th anniversary, but they were definitely old, and returning to Maui for the 1^st time since their honeymoon. We couldn’t understand why they waited so long for a return trip, so decided right then and there that we would be back often—every 3 to 5 years minimum. Then life and kids happened, so it took a little longer than we expected. Well worth the wait, though, unbelievably beautiful. Julie is an amazing woman and a great blessing. So glad we made it together thus far. With God, all things are possible. — Ben Hoglund

Janet and Jerry Lindberg

Congratulations to Janet and Jerry who have been married for 30 years!

Wedding

Cathy Deckert's daughter, Andrea Deckert, was wed to Brian Berget on August 18th in Duluth, MN. They married in the old Fitger's brewery building which had been re-purposed years ago into meeting space, restaurants, and awesome shops. We all had a great time and the wedding was beautiful. I even showed Brian how to disco dance to "Play that funky music white boy". I'm sure he really appreciated it.

On our way home, me and my parents stopped at two cemeteries.

Janet visiting her mother, Vivian (Bailey) Eiden's grave in Aitkin, MN.	Janet at her grandmother, Ellen Jane (McGillivray) Olin and her g-grandparents, John and Mary Jane (Hudson) McGillivray's graves in Staples, MN.

Oklahoma Visit

In late August Andrea Hoglund and daughter and son-in-law David and Amy Jones drove from Texarkana TX to northern Oklahoma to visit Andrea's sister, Virgina Gleason. Her daughters Patty Cobb and Debbie Wagner live near her. After many years it was wonderful to connect with family and hear about their lives and interests and accomplishments. Great time together.

RIP cousin

Few of us cousins were lucky enough to meet Aunt Agnes's boys, Jim and Roy. I met Jim about 20-25 years ago. He was tall and looked so much like the Olins. Now sadly he has passed on. His obituary:

Shimek, James F. 63 of Joplin, MO. formerly of Fridley, passed away peacefully July 27, 2018. Preceded in death by parents, Frank and Agnes; and brother, Gary. Survived by daughter, Tracy Shimek; granddaughter, Adalyn Shimek; brother, Roy; and many friends. Jim loved camping by Lake Superior, the outdoors and music. His generosity will be greatly missed. Memorials preferred to Notes for Notes, Twin Cities notesfornotes.org. Published on August 8, 2018

Graduations

Congrats to Makaylah, granddaughter of Jane Leitheiser, who graduated from West Side High School in Houston and was accepted at a Corpus Christi, TX College.

I [Taylor]graduated from St. Catherine University in Spring 2018. I majored in Biology and had a minor in Chemistry. My degree was a Bachelor of Arts. I graduated magna cum laude. I want to go back to go to Medical School eventually, but am taking a small break. I obtained my Emergency Medical Technician also during my senior year. So, I am working at a local hospital as an Emergency Department Technician, while I get everything in order to apply to medical schools!  — Taylor Olin

Congratulations to Taylor, daughter of Steve and Lori Olin.

Distant Cousin Visit

I was able to enjoy a visit with our distant cousin, Saliah Kako, at the State Fair this year. Her daughter is very active in 4-H and did a great poster on agates. It's always fun to catch up. Saliah is the g-granddaughter of Sadie Olin Sandretzky. Sadie was Willard's sister.

DNA Testing

We continue to have cousins doing the DNA tests. It's looking like most of us are predominantly from Great Britain. Steve Olin recently did the Y-DNA test so that we can do an Olin Family Society project to find our original ancestor's homeland. I say original because we have only been able to get back to about 1664 as his proposed birth year since he arrived her in 1678 at age 14. There are several stories in the family revolving around him being Welsh, but I (and others) suspect he came from France and then England. That paternal haplogroup is: R-M269.

I'm Moving

After 9 years at the U of M Extension, I gave notice for September 7th. My plans are to move up to Fergus Falls where I will help my parents through their senior years. Of course, if anyone knows my mom, she'll be running circles around me. It will be wonderful to spend time with them and I hope we'll be able to do a little traveling here and there to visit some of you. I am delighted that my daughter and her spouse are moving back from San Francisco and will rent my house.

What is your family up to?

Please let me know about events in your family so I can add them to the blog. I don't about them if I don't hear about them. (hint).

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Sweet summer

Facebook and Ruth

If you've noticed lately that I "unfriended" you, don't take it personally! I just decided to get off Facebook.

 Old South Carolina and Virginia colony family

Always learning new things about our family's ancestry. Recently, I learned that on Grandma's side we had ancestors with the surname Pemberton. George Pemberton, II emigrated from Pemberton Huff, Cheshire, England, to Virginia Colony in 1710. About 1760 his grandson Isaiah joined the Society of Friends (Quaker) faith. In 1771 Isaiah and his brother George sold their land in Virginia to a close neighbor, Samuel Washington, brother to Gen. George Washington. Three years later Isaiah and his family used the money to move to Bush River, Newberry, South Carolina. This line migrated up to Indiana and Mary Pemberton, our ancestress, married Abner Barrett and their daughter Eunice was the mother of Calvin Harmison who was Grandma's grandfather (see my last blog). There are Revolutionary War vets in the family through this line. I didn't realize that we had Southern ancestors and especially so far back!

Visiting Madison, Minnesota

About a month ago I drove out to Madison, MN to visit Aunt Mary Ellen. We are going to put together a family history of her side. We went through all her pictures and scanned as many as we could. I think most people know that Jerry, Jr. and Annette modeled when they were younger. We found several of those pics. Mary Ellen lives in a little house that she's fixed up and this allows her to travel when she wants to. It was a lot of fun to sit and reminisce about the old days. She exercises every day and has a great attitude. She is a true inspiration to me as I approach my senior years. Oh, and she's a good cook too—but she let me stay up too late and she fed me lots of candy. I told my mom. ha ha

Memorial Day visit

Memorial day weekend turned out to be a lot of fun this year. Ben Hoglund drove up to my mother's in Fergus Falls, MN. He lives in Omaha, NE and it's a 6 hour drive. Me and my daughter Gretchen and my grandson Odin joined him for a weekend of fishing and eating good food. We caught lots of fish and had a great fish dinner thanks to my Mom's great cooking. We always enjoy it when cousins come to visit and Ben is especially fun (and funny). Thanks to my Mom for hosting all of us.

Cousin get together

The last week of June we are having a first cousins get together up by Fergus Falls. I tried to get in touch with as many cousins as I could to join us. We rented an Airb&b on a small creek that goes to two great fishing lakes. I'm not sure who all is coming yet, but it looks like all of Bob Tillman's family will be there as well as Jerry Olin and at least one of his daughters. I expect Mary Ellen will show up for a couple days. Cheri Erving Moikobu and Bonnie Schweigert Schram will join us for several days also. And of course Gretchen and Odin plan to come for several days. I've been steadily nagging everyone the best I can—and I'm good at that. But for those of you who can't make it, we'll take lots of pictures to share so check back in July to get a summary. It is our goal to have a get together every year, so don't feel bad if you can't make it this year.

Calvin P. Harmison

Sometimes when doing research, hurdles are thrown up in front of me in an effort to prevent me from learning about someone. Our ancestor, Calvin Harmison is a perfect example. Both Grandma Vivian and her sister Florence told me that he was an alcoholic and they had nothing good to say about him. They were ashamed of him. They had been brought up properly and while most of their family were fine, upstanding citizens—they had this one black sheep in the family. Both Vivian and Florence said that he was born in Indianola, Pennsylvania. That couldn't be further from the truth! The Harmison family originated in Virginia, then Ohio, Indiana, and our branch ended up in Wisconsin.

Calvin has always been of interest to me.

Calvin "Cab" was born July 12, 1844 in Dodge County, Wisconsin, to Isaac Harmison and Eunice Barrett.

A little history about the Harmison clan

The Harmison line: Matthew (1697-1755) > John (1728-1802) > Thomas (1720-1790) > James (1753-1831) > Samuel (1778-1841) > Isaac (1814-1898) > Calvin (1844-abt 1910) > Mary (1871-1915) > Vivian (1902-1992)

Isaac Harmison

Isaac Wesley Harmison (1814-1898) and Eunice Emily Barrett (1819-1900) both came from large farming families in Ohio. Isaac and his parents and siblings migrated to Indiana where most stayed. Isaac purchased his first farm land in LaPorte, Indiana in 1835; which he assigned to his father, shortly before his marriage to Eunice "Emma" Barrett in March, 1837. After they married, they removed to Dodge County, Wisconsin where their children were born. They had five children—Mary Louise, James Abner, Calvin P., Sarah Caroline, and Arthur A.

Isaac is listed as among the first settlers of Watertown, Wisconsin and his daughter, Mary Louise, is listed as the first white child born in Watertown, Wisconsin. Isaac and Emma, remained in Dodge County until 1856 when they sold their farm and moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin. After the marriage of their youngest daughter, Sarah Caroline Harmison, they homesteaded a 160 acre farm in Cedar Lake, Barron County, Wisconsin. It was just next door to their daughter, Sarah and her husband, William Small. After Isaac retired from farming, the two couples moved to Wheaton Township, Chippewa County, Wisconsin, which is next to neighboring Eau Claire, Wisconsin. At some point they were living in Half Moon also. Isaac presumably died in Wheaton at the home of his daughter, Sarah Caroline Harmison and her husband, William Small. The family farm was left to Sarah and her husband.

4 generation Harmison women -
Eunice and Sarah seated

Isaac and Emma and many of their children and descendants are buried at Lake View Cemetery, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

It was said that the Harmison ancestors owned vineyards in Pennsylvania. Beginning as early as 1642 and up to the prohibition there was a winery in every county in Pennsylvania.

Eunice Barrett's grandmother was a Quaker. Her father, Abner was a Captain in the War of 1812.

Calvin Harmison "Jack of all trades"

Calvin Harmison tried many things to make a living. At the tender age of 17 he was already a painter's apprentice,while living with is family in Half Moon.

Employment timeline

1870 Oak Grove, Eau Claire, WI 27 years old and store keeper
1872 Building an ice house
1872 Alderman in the 6th Ward in Eau Claire
1874 Building another ice house on Half Moon Lake
1875 Established brick yard on Otter Creek
1877 Burned 1 kiln of brick containing 125,000
1880 National Soap Works
1882 ice and fish dealer in Eau Claire
1884 ice dealer in Eau Claire
Around 1887-1888 Solicitor Eau Claire Benefit Co. Ironwood, Wisconsin.
1896 living in Eau Claire
1899 Living at Rice Lake
1900 Calvin is a bee keeper in Cedar Lake Township, Barron, WI and then is listed in Rice Lake, WI when his mother died that same year.
Calvin was obviously an intelligent man and able to find employment and work hard. But also, he was an inventor! He registered two patents. You can download the patents below. There is also an article in the Eau Claire Leader dated October 29, 1885, where C.P. Harmison is mentioned as "perfecting a fanning mill. A machine that will settle the cockle question "right smart."

Bee hive patent
Milk can patent

Grandma Eiden said that Calvin ran a brewery in Eau Claire for awhile too but I have found no evidence of that.

Calvin and Eau Claire

In 1875 Calvin is mentioned in a newspaper article when his store was broken into. In 1884 Calvin was asked to represent the citizens of Eau Claire's sixth ward. He replied:

Gentlemen: Highly appreciating the honor you have conferred upon me, I feel it my duty to accept the nomination you have tendered. If elected, I shall endeavor, as before, to maintain the rights of the people against all forms of encroachment. Yours truly, C.P. Harmison.

One article described the arraignment of a man who Calvin caught picking his pocket. In 1893 he was written up unfavorably in the Eau Claire Leader and accused of "hoodwinking" a Baptist congregation. I found several articles that Calvin was mentioned in. Apparently, he had on two occasions billed ex-priests as lecturers. He chose the Baptist church for the second lecture and unfortunately chose a Sunday evening. There appears to be some miscommunication between him and the trustees. The new pastor refused to share the pulpit on a Sunday with someone from a different religion. The board claimed that he told them that it would be about three lectures at no cost to the public. But he began to advertise and sell tickets. That made the transaction very public and embarrassing to the church! It appears that the pastor's initial non-involvement may have caused Calvin to become the scape goat.

Calvin's family

Mary Magdeline Egan was born in March of 1844 in Ireland. She emigrated about 1858 with her family, settling in Ohio first and then Eau Claire. Calvin and Mary were supposedly married June 22, 1860 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin but he would have been only 16 at the time. Since their first child was born in 1865—I'd say it makes more sense that they were married in about 1864. But I could be wrong!

They had 4 children: Florella (Nellie), Mary Evangeline (Mae), Carmin Eubert, and another baby boy who was Carmin's twin. Carmin died in 1877 at 8 months. There was a death certificate for a C.D. Harmison which could be the other twin also. I have found no proof that there were twins except Grandma heard it from her own mother who was their sister. Nellie taught in the Eau Claire schools for 78 years and never married. Mae was Grandma's mother and she married Bill Bailey. Mae died in 1915 in Duluth of typhoid pneumonia.

Vivian spoke of her grandmother, Mary Egan Harmison with great affection. Mary ran a boarding house until her death and then passed it on to Nellie. In one article she was described as "one of the pretty Egan girls". Grandma described her as a petite, robust, plump woman. When she visited her daughter Mae in Duluth, she wore a straw bonnet with flowers and carried a tapestry bag. She would come by train and bring wonderful canned jellies and bread and butter pickles. She had a sunny disposition though somewhat quiet and reserved. I thought I would surprise Grandma one year and tried my hand at bread and butter pickles. She didn't say she actually liked them...but she didn't say she didn't. I'm hoping it was the thought that counted.

Calvin died about 1911. There is a plot owned by Calvin where his daughter Nellie is buried as well as his twin sons. I happened to visit on a day when the maintenance crew was there and they said that the lot was full but they didn't know who was in it. I think Calvin is in an unmarked grave there.

Mary Harmison is listed as the widow of Calvin in the 1895, 1901, 1908, 1910, and 1914 City Directory for Eau Claire. This seems to suggest that they never actually divorced. This is possible because Mary was a staunch catholic.

Between 1884 and 1893 Calvin saw his reputation be slowly destroyed and he tried many different occupations and saw only brief success. Was it then that he started drinking? Is this when his family became ashamed of him? I am sure this is what caused the break up of his marriage.

We may never know what kind of man Calvin was. That knowledge is lost in time. But I am reluctant to judge him or be embarrassed by him. I think he did the best he could for as long as he could. I saw an article recently that said that success really is a matter of luck. You have to have the right idea and be in the right place at the right time.

Eau Claire Baseballer—Uncle Russ Bailey

Background

Russell Claude Bailey was Grandma Eiden's uncle—her father Bill's brother. She was very proud of him.

Russell was born January 26, 1879 in Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin. His father, Charles Bailey was born in 1844 in Canada and his mother Josephine "Rebecca" Hall was born in 1850 in New York.
Rebecca's family had moved to Sparta between 1857 and 1860. Though Charles was born in Canada, the family migrated to New York. Grandma and her sister Florence both said that Charles's father, Russel, was from Newfoundland and either he or his father was a doctor. They also mentioned that they were of English extraction. (This was often said because no one wanted to be associated with the Irish at the time) I'm not sure if Charles traveled alone or with family to Wisconsin but there is a Russell C Bailey showing up as a Civil War vet in Wisconsin and I think he could be the father of Charles. Obviously, the name Russell came from his grandfather.

Charles and Rebecca were married in Eau Claire in 1869. They had four children, William, Russell, John "Jack", and Lyda. All the boys were born in Sparta and I suspect Lyda was too.

Russell married twice. His first wife was Jessie Stumm. Grandma remembers they had a house up on top of the hill in Eau Claire and she and her siblings enjoyed visiting with Russ and Jessie who loved having them as they had no children of their own. The kids would have a lot of fun sliding down that hill in the winter.

Russ ran a clothing store called Hollen Clothing Company in Eau Claire. In 1917 he resigned and took a position with the Campen Clothing Company.

Rose Ada

Russ and Jessie divorced and he married Rose Ada Robinson. Russ and Rose

Virginia

had one daughter, Virginia. who was a local celebrity in her own right. Described as having "red hair and a torrid new style", she auditioned for WISN to play opposite Dick Powell in a fall series and won. I believe she was only 17 at the time. In 1936 she also won the opportunity to sing with a local band on a commercial on WTMJ radio on Monday evenings in Milwaukee. She was very talented and judging from the many articles written about her in the Eau Claire newspaper, she participated in a lot of theater and singing productions as well. There is even a delightful article on how as a little girl she managed to convince a circus manager to donate tickets to inmates of the local Children's Home. She said "I am going and I wish all the little boys and girls who have no fathers and mothers could go too."

Baseball Career

I was contacted several years ago by a gentleman in Eau Claire who was trying to get Russ into the Eau Claire Baseball Hall of Fame. Below is the information from the nomination form.

Connection to Eau Claire baseball

• Amateur ball player beginning in 1901 (possibly earlier) for a team in Shawtown.
• Continued as a star amateur until 1906, when he was an easy choice to be the center fielder for the Eau Claire-Chippewa Falls professional team.
• Played nearly his entire professional career in Eau Claire.
• He was out of pro ball in 1908 when Eau Claire didn't have a team, but he stayed in Eau Claire to play for a local team.
• Additionally, he played 31 games for Milwaukee in 1910 before injuring an ankle and finishing out the season in Eau Claire.
• He also played half a season in Wausau.
• Named player-manager of the professional team in 1912.
• The team finished 25-16 before having to fold.
• When club president Henry Davis unexpectedly resigned in April, 1912, Bailey was also given that title.
• That season, he secured a player for Eau Claire from tiny Clear Lake, WI—Burleigh Grimes.
• Also gave future major leaguer Happy Feisch a shot at making the club, but Grimes beat him out for the last spot on the roster.
• Had the unenviable task of pulling the plug on professional baseball in Eau Claire due to poor fan support.
• Played for Wausau following the demise of the Eau Claire club and apparently did very well (though likely not as well as his obituary reads).
• Was a clothing store owner that played in small industrial leagues in Eau Claire.
• Cursory search shows a box score in 1919 (Bailey was 40 at the time) where he dominated on the mound.
• Art Roach's father recalled seeing Bailey play very well at Chappell Field—Bailey would be in his 40's or 50's by this time.
• In 1949, he was named Commissioner of the 11^th District of the Wisconsin Semi-Pro Baseball Congress. He organized a tournament in which the top teams of the six-county area competed for a chance at the state tournament in Milwaukee.
• Art recalls Russ working at Carson Park as a ticket taker in his later years. This would put Bailey as likely the only person to have connections to the last three major baseball parks in the City of Eau Claire: Driving Park, Chappell Field, and Carson Park.

Professional statistics:

A whiz in the outfield, he could also handle the bat very well. He had nearly 1,900 professional at bats and hit .274 for his career. His 1907 extra base hit statistics are missing, but if you were to remove the season completely his career slugging percentage would be close to .400 (if you consider all of his 76 hits in 1907 to be singles, his slugging was still .358). He was having his best season in 1912 but due to financial constraints he elected to stay behind on a few road trips to save expenses.

Biography

Russ Bailey was born in Sparta in 1879 but moved to Eau Claire at an early age. A Corporal in the Spanish American War at the tender age of 19, Bailey's first games in Eau Claire can be traced in box scores of the Eau Claire Leader beginning three years later as an amateur in 1901.

He continued to play for Eau Claire teams until 1906, when he was considered a no-brainer choice to be on the first professional baseball club in Eau Claire since 1887.

He continued to play professionally for Eau Claire through 1912, with the only interruptions coming in 1908 (when the city didn't have a pro team) and a brief, 31-game call up to Milwaukee in 1910.

In 1912, he was not only named player-manager of the club (he secured a young man from Western Wisconsin named Burleigh Grimes to play for the team), but he also was given the unenviable task of being team president. He was so well liked, the directors reasoned, that he would be able to easily raise much-needed cash for the team.

Bailey did what he could, but just couldn't make a go of it. After a scant 177 spectators watched him hit two triples on a glorious Sunday afternoon at the Driving Park, Bailey had to make the gut-wrenching decision to throw in the towel for professional baseball in Eau Claire.

The Leader [Eau Claire Leader] did not blame him. Instead, the following day it took the opportunity to bash the people of Eau Claire—the paper's own customers—for not supporting Bailey and the team. A professional game would not be played in Eau Claire for 21 years.

After Eau Claire folded, Bailey was a very popular "free agent", and though he was playing for Wausau, Superior claimed he had signed him to a contract as well. The National Association briefly suspended him until the contract situation was resolved, but it appears he finished the season in Wausau.

Bailey's obituary reads that he hit 16 home runs for Wausau in what amounted to half a season. That claim seems unlikely at best, but he probably still had some power and speed. After the 1912 season, he hung up his professional spikes but continued playing on an amateur level until at least 1919 (and likely longer), suiting up for the teams sponsored by his clothing stores. Art Roach's father said he recalled watching Bailey play at a high level at Chappell Field—which would put Bailey in at least his 40's at the time.

In 1949, Bailey was named Commissioner of the 11^th District of the Wisconsin Semi-Pro Baseball Congress.

Art also related that Bailey was a ticket taker at Carson Park in his later years.

Russ is top left.

Russ is standing third from right

Sea Slugs and the Baileys

For all the years I've been researching the family, I have not been able to find much about the Baileys. Bailey was Grandma Eiden's maiden name. But now suddenly I have been breaking through some walls and making contact with them! I have summarized my findings so far below.

JAMES HILL BAILEY

Grandma's brother Jim married a woman named Justine Premoch and they moved to Milwaukee. Unfortunately, Jim died before age 50 and not much was known about their family. It was believed that there were two daughters, but it looks like they just had one — Loraine. I have recently been in contact with his granddaughter, Coreen, and we are having a lot of fun piecing the puzzles together.

MILDRED BAILEY

Grandma had an older sister, Mildred, who married John Malaney and they had a daughter Virginia. Virginia married Leo Gosliner and had two sons.

From Virginia's obituary:

"She was the consummate supportive parent, transporting her kids to pre-dawn low tides on the Marin Coast or to the Sierras to catch butterflies or find wildflowers. She was an avid gardener who earned a degree in landscape architecture following her retirement and volunteered at the Strybing Arboretum. Another of Virginia's passions was painting — a member of the Marin Society of Artists and a fixture in painting classes at the College of Marin. Virginia was a great supporter of progressive and humanitarian causes and loved to read Mother Jones and Rolling Stone well into her eighties. She loved to discuss the latest trends with her grandchildren, and was always well versed on what was new in music, fashion, or anything else that was "cool" to them. To her grandchildren, she was more than just a grandmother, she was a friend who loved and cared for them. She loved horse racing, the 49ers and nothing more than seeing the Giants beat the Dodgers. A lover of nature, Virginia had a species of nudibranch, Okenia virginiae, named in her honor."

Virginia's son, Terry Gosliner,  is a marine biologist and he named a sea slug after her "Okenia virginiae".You can also find the official document here (search on Okenia virginiae). Read more about Terry. I also found this video of Terry.
Virginia's other son Michael Gosliner also appears to be involved with marine biology as he is listed as being on the Marine Mammal Commission. I have made contact with one of Virginia's grandsons and I am hoping to get more information and pictures from him soon.

RUSSEL BAILEY

Russel Bailey was Grandma's uncle and lived in Eau Claire. He was a well known baseball player there as well as owning a store. His first wife died young and he remarried. His married Rose Robinson and had one daughter, Virginia. She married Arthur Garrett and they had two daughters. I have been in contact with one of their daughters, "Boots" and she has promised to share whatever information she has too. Picture on right is of Russ and Rose. Pictured below is daughter, Virginia Bailey Garrett.

So, you can see we have the name Virginia three times in our tree!
Several years ago I had made contact with Bill and Russel's niece, Joy, whose father was John Bailey. I got to meet her which was exciting and then she passed away. But after that I got in contact with their sister, Lyda Bailey Nelson's granddaughter who shared pictures and information. So, it's been a long process but I am making progress. One of my goals has been to find out more and get pictures of Florence Bailey Martin who was grandma's sister up in Duluth. She had one son, Bill Martin who is since deceased, but his children still live in the Duluth area.

Pictures!

Thought I'd share some pics this time around. First is a pic of Jeff Loeks and his lovely bride, Rachael Ann and their blended family.

I found this cute picture of Virginia from high school. She was in Homeroom 306.

 

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Andrea and Mike Hoglund Featured in Promotional Video

Andrea and Mike Hoglund are local celebrities in Texas where they were part of a video promoting the senior living community they live in.