Lagoon old style photo, Back (l-r): Brook Jonas, Paul Ross; Front: May Melycher, Colleen Jonas, Jackie Melycher
This photo was found by an acquaintance and who recognized me. I am glad they did! They were kind enough to provide this photo, and some other photos and documents, to me. You can see it had something spilled on it and has a number of scratches. Makes it seem more authentically old.
Honestly, I forgot this photo was even taken. I did not have a copy of it. I seem to remember seeing it once or twice through the years, but here is a copy for me. I was pretty excited about it. The back of the photo says 1993, which does not seem correct. Based on the age of May and me, I am thinking this is more like 1995. I seem to recall that Brook came to visit before going into the Navy, and 1995 would have put him at 18, later if he was older. However, I found this photo from the same occasion, which is dated 12 June 1993. So I have adopted that date as accurate and Brook was visiting when he was 16. This will post at 30 years after the fact! Time flies… Grandma and Jackie took us to Lagoon. I would have thought Andra would have come as well, but I don’t remember her being there and I have no idea why she would have been left out of the photo. If she had been at Lagoon, we would surely have waited for her to be in the photo.
Lagoon in 1993
A year or two later, this photo was taken of me and my friend, Dustin McClellan. This photo has 1994 written in the name, perhaps it was written on the back as well.
The Silver Nickel Saloon is in old town of Lagoon found in Farmington, Davis, Utah. There are probably even more photos out there from high school, but I do not have copies of those photos.
Last week I mentioned my Grandfather, Milo James Ross, preparing a Power of Attorney. This week I share the Last Will and Testament he executed the next day, 2 June 1943. Camp Clipper, near Needles, California, was a harsh environment to help train soldiers. It was here, the day after, he signed this document for what might need to be done should the War take his life. Fortunately for him and his family, it didn’t take his life for another 71 years. Although he lived with the shrapnel and effects of the War until the relief of death took him to the next stage of our eternal journey.
Last Will and Testament of Milo James Ross, page 1
Last Will and Testament of Milo James Ross, page 2
Notes on the witnesses.
Charles Edward Witham, born 12 October 1918 in Pisgah, Morgan, Illinois. Married in 1958. Died 10 March 2009 at age 90 in Jacksonville, Morgan, Illinois.
Frank Fancher or Faucher, unable to find anything on this person. Nothing quite adds up for Cudahy or that name.
William Luther Mills, born 14 March 1918 in Greenville, Greenville, South Carolina. Died 12 June 2001 at age 83. He is buried in Anderson, Anderson, South Carolina.
For Memorial Day this year, I ask you to consider a thought. As 1 June 2023 approaches, what will you be doing? What will you be dreaming about, who will you be missing, what will you be dreading? I take you back 80 years to 1 June 1943.
Milo James Ross found himself enlisted in the United States Army. Dreaming of his new bride far away at 629 8th Street in Ogden, Utah. Missing his family and his son who will be born on Independence Day in just over a month. Missing the blessed Wasatch mountains of Weber County, Utah. Dreading what might be coming in the war against Germany and Japan. Waiting for his next assignment, but until then enduring the heat of San Bernardino County, California.
On that date, Milo James Ross prepared this document for the future. Hopeful that the future only required a Power of Attorney, not a Last Will and Testament. But with the sober reality he might not be competent to act either.
Another interesting insight into this document. Typewriter prepared, yet handwritten in for the specifics. That person who prepared this document, how many of these were typed up that day? Were they done in duplicate? What type of precision existed to type these time after time again with virtually no mistakes? What type of service would you have rendered in the War? Were you raising the flag on a chateau after a battle or typing Powers of Attorney? Were you cooking the food or making the clothes? Were you building the Jeeps or scouring the battlefields for remains? All just as necessary, but only a few more prestigious and recognized.
What will you do this Memorial Day that pushes forward the work of mankind for the better? What will you do this month that serves your Nation and State? Are you thinking of others and pushing for the work or just resting on the labors of others? How will you further Freedom?
While we remember the dead, we need take encouragement and strength from their Sacrifice. Pick up and go to work.
I have quite a treasure trove of photos of my grandmother, Colleen Mary Andra. But the earlier you go back in her life, the less there are. Born in 1928, photos were not inexpensive in the 1930s. In a family of 12 children, 10 who lived to adulthood, those photos would have to be selectively chosen on occasion and who they captured. I believe there are more photos, but whether I will ever have them is the question.
It was with some excitement that I found these photos. I believe these all depict Colleen as a teenager. The one above with a 1930s vehicle and an early 1940s car rear end. I couldn’t figure out what either car was with the limited view of the cars. I also tried to pin down the mountains, but they don’t seem to line up with Preston or Richmond. The mountains are too close for Preston or Whitney, so it must be farther south on the Utah side of Cache Valley.
Colleen Andra
Here is another photo of Grandma. I don’t know the location of this photo either. I believe she is older in this photo.
This photo was also in the stack. The non-color and non-spotty version I shared earlier.
Brandon Woolf, McCord Larsen, Paul Ross with Idaho State Capitol
This year I was more involved in the legislative process than in the past. There were a few bills I was particularly interested and closely involved. I even helped write a few.
On 3 March 2023 I traveled to the Idaho State Capitol with my friend and Cassia County Prosecutor McCord Larsen to testify on a particular bill related to Public Defense. While there, we took the opportunity to make a number of other calls and visits in addition to the legislators/legislative. This photo comes from one of those visits.
Brandon Woolf is the Idaho State Controller. More importantly he is my friend. He is always out and about in visiting communities and friends. I have run into him in Preston, Soda Springs, Malad, Burley, Rupert, and Boise. Not only do I respect and honor this friend, our families have been friends for generations. Brandon is from Preston, where my Andra, Nuffer, and Wanner lines are all from. I have ran into Brandon at That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, the Rodeo Days Parade (also in Preston), and even the Independence Day Breakfast in Preston. It has been a small world and an oddity that I run into this guy as much as I do.
He took us through and shows us the new Transparent Idaho website. He is pretty excited for this website to continue to be rolled out and outfitted with all information for Idaho government. That is not just state, but every taxing district from cities, to counties; from cemetery districts to school districts.
The highlight was catching up between old friends (and Aggies). For the occasion, we snapped this photo from Brandon’s office. Somehow it seems enchanting. My beloved state, a phenomenal Idaho Constitutional Officer, friendship, and a beautiful Capitol. My experience with Idaho is that we are in good hands.
As for the legislation we were working on that day, well it was a disappointment. Representatives Weber and Cannon apparently were more interested in passing a bill than getting it right. We have tons of clean-up, which is always harder the second or third year than at the beginning. I have many, many reservations on the bill generally and don’t think it cannot be cleaned up but for a rewrite. But they didn’t care about that either. For a state that is independent, local control, and willing to do things different, this bill flew in the face of all that. It centralized power, removed local stakeholders, consolidated processes, ignored processes, and all at the same time wildly underfunded. I hope I am wrong, but I think it will get worse before it gets better.
Other bills were introduced too late and didn’t get too far. Others passed through unmarred and become clarifying law. The updates of bankruptcy related law all seem to have failed. But we will try again next year. Too bad it does not pay, it is hard doing all this on your own dime and sacrificing your gainful employment.
We were able to do lunch with our local Representative Clay Handy and visit with Representative Doug Pickett. Senator Kelly Anthon was kind enough to introduce us and welcome us from the Senate floor. We were unable otherwise to meet up with him.
Idaho is still small. I hope we do not lose the small state legislature, the gentleman’s creed, and the ability to do business. Please like Brandon keep hope in government when it is sometimes hard to keep hope in such a process.
Amanda and I were married in the Logan Temple on 20 December 2005. Anyone who knows me knows I have an affinity for the temple. Poor Amanda married to that affinity. Before we moved back to Virginia in 2006, we (mostly me) set a goal to attend all 11 temples in Utah. This is somehow humorous now that there are many more dedicated, announced, or under construction in Utah.
Manti, St. George, and Salt Lake are currently being updated, Ogden was rebuilt, Monticello expanded, and Jordan River updated. Provo is slated for a rebuild. Logan isn’t probably far behind for a full update (hopefully a restoration that is far past due).
So, in 2006, there were 11 temples in Utah; Bountiful, Jordan River, Logan, Manti, Monticello, Mt Timpanogas, Ogden, Provo, St George, Salt Lake, Vernal.
Logan Utah Temple, 17 December 2005, the day Amanda received her endowment.
Manti Utah Temple, 18 March 2006. This day I sealed my Great Uncle Harold Ross to his first wife, Colleen Hancock.
Salt Lake City Utah Temple, 22 March 2006.
Provo Utah Temple, 27 April 2006.
Mt Timpanogas Utah Temple, American Fork, 27 April 2006.
Bountiful Utah Temple, 6 May 2006.
St George Utah Temple, 12 May 2006.
Jordan River Utah Temple, South Jordan, 30 May 2006.
Monticello Utah Temple, 10 June 2006.
Vernal Utah Temple, 10 June 2006.
Ogden Utah Temple, 24 June 2006.
We hit all 11 in 2005 and 2006. As of my writing this, 7 May 2023, there are 28 temples now in Utah, announced, under construction, in renovation, or dedicated.
In 2006, we also hit the Community of Christ Temple in Independence, Missouri.
Independence Missouri Temple of Community of Christ, 1 July 2006.
I actually have no idea what this photo was taken for, where at, or what occasion. Based on the car behind, I presume this is mid to late 1960s. William Frederick Andra and Mary Louise Wanner Andra. My Great Grandparents through their daughter, Colleen. Both lived long enough that I have various memories with them, even though I was fairly young and grew up more than 2 hours away from them. I remember playing Cribbage with Grandpa Andra. I remember playing Aggravation with Grandma Andra. They are my two Great Grandparents I have yet to write a history on. I have not done so because of the sheer amount of photos I have for them. Some day.
This photo caught my attention. Let’s say it is the summer of 1966, that makes Bill 68, Mary 65. They look happy, content. They look healthy, both lived to be over 90. As my hair thins, it reminds me of Grandpa Andra. I think I have his hair and cowlicks. This is a good photo of Bill and Mary Andra, whatever year.
Hermiena (Minnie), Berendina (Dena), Jantjen (Jane), Catharina (Kate), Maria (Mary), Hermanus (Herman), and Harmina (Minnie) Van Leeuwen
Working through and scanning more of the Bremer photos, this photo and two others matched up and caught my attention. I don’t have many photos of my Great Great Grandma Van Leeuwen so this one was a great find. I have written previously of the Van Leeuwen family.
Harmina was born in 1860 in Gorssel, Gelderland, Netherlands. She married Gerhardus Hendrik (George Henry) Van Leeuwen in 1880 in Arnhem, Gelderland, Netherlands. He was born in 1856 in Oldenzaal, Overijssel, Netherlands. Minnie passed away in 1921 in Ogden, 102 years ago. This photo obviously predates her passing. George isn’t in the photo, so it may be after his commitment.
Dena was born in 1898, Kate in 1902, so four years between them. I am guessing Kate is somewhere around 12 and Dena somewhere around 16. That would put Herman at 18, Mary at 21, Jane at 23, and Minnie at 24. George isn’t in the picture and had married in 1908. Jane married in 1913, Minnie and Mary married in 1915, and Herman married in 1916.
So, if Kate is 11 or 12, this photo would be about 1913 to 1914. They appear to be dressed up, but no clues to the occasion, whether church or a wedding.
Minnie, Jane, Mary Van Leeuwen
Here is the second of the three photos. This one captures the three sisters together with Jane and Mary smiling. Then the last photo adds some additional context.
Jane Van Leeuwen and Fred Bremer
This photo seems to help pin it down a little bit more. Fred and Jane married 10 December 1913 in Ogden. There is grass on the ground and leaves on the trees. The tree on the left behind appears to have leaves coming out, as well as the bush or whatever is in front of the individuals. So, this appears to be a springtime photo. Since these photos came from photos passed down to the Bremer children, I am going to suggest this after Fred and Jane had married and they were visiting the family. If this is 1914, none of Jane’s siblings were married and may have been living at home still.
This house located at 3282 Wall Ave, Ogden, Utah was built by Gerhardus Hendrik Van Leeuwen. His wife, Hermiena Jansen Van Leeuwen, is standing on the front porch. This was their home.
In each of the photos, you can see the round pillars of the house next door. But in the first picture, you can see the square column of the house in which the family stands in front of. You can also see the brick, or concrete work, under the porch column. That square column also matches this photo of their home from the front.
As such, I believe this photo was taken at the Van Leeuwen home at 3282 Wall Avenue, Ogden, Utah in the spring of 1914. Minnie passed away in 1921, so the photo with her home is before 1921.
Sagacity 