On 7 August 2020, the Ross Clan arrived at Astoria, Oregon. We had driven from Forks, Washington, and was headed to Seaside, Oregon. We wanted to make a stop at the Astoria Column and we had children who needed a bathroom break.
Astoria-Megler Bridge and the Columbia River
As you can see from this photo, we were too late on the potty break.
James waiting for a diaper change. Yes, the puddle under him is his too. Notice how wet his pants are?
James after his diaper change and the still damp bench from where he was seated earlier.
Can you see the look in his eye? “Dad, are you really going to take a picture of me and my remnant wet spot on the bench?”
Here is a shot of the Astoria Column, which was closed by the time we arrived. We have been here twice now and failed to get here while it was open.
Astoria Column with our Nissan Quest.
Last, a photo I took looking to the north. Imagine the awe of Lewis and Clark?
Another one of those stories. Genealogy I am doing it. Due to my efforts, family and others dump other photos in my lap. Here is another one of those photos.
Scanning more photos that belonged to my Uncle and Aunt Dave and Betty Donaldson I stumbled upon this photo. I recognized Delos Donaldson and wondered about these other people. Who are/were they? Why a photo? Why a train car? Where?
Turn it over and someone felt to record the information, which is somewhat unusual.
Back of above photo
20 September 1916 – Green River, Wyoming
Mr. J. C. Bloomer Water Foreman U.P.
Miss Thelma Bloomer
Miss Annie Bloomer
Mr. David D. Donaldson
I did a little research to find these individuals and additional information.
John C Bloemer, born 30 December 1869 in Germany, died 9 January 1947 in Kansas City, Jackson, Missouri, buried St. Mary Magdalene, Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska. He was widower, met and married Annie Cecile Brass 5 August 1919 in Kansas City, Missouri. Interesting Delos would list her as Miss but with his last name. Were they holding out as husband and wife, then why the Miss? Annie was born 1870 in Missouri and died February 1938 in Kansas City.
Thelma Katherine Bloemer was born to John and Franciska 7 October 1903 in Cheyenne, Laramie, Wyoming and died in 2000 in Ogden, Weber, Utah. She married twice to Donald Doctor McGuire and later to Daniel George Thinnes.
I assume the U.P. above is Union Pacific, not clear what a Water Foreman does, if that was irrigation, city, or train related.
Here is another photo in the group. This appears to be the same day with the train and shirt. We now know it is likely Green River, Wyoming.
David Delos Donaldson
David Delos Donaldson, born 26 March 1894 in Evanston, Uinta, Wyoming, died 24 September 1953 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah.
This photo was one of many in the Andra albums. I don’t know the significance of this car or who drove it. It has 2B Idaho plates on it, meaning its owners registered it in Bear Lake County. I don’t recall having any immediately family of the Andras living in Bear Lake County. I also cannot tell where the photo is taken, perhaps at the Andra home in Preston. I thought I would make this interesting photo available though.
This photo I have sat on for a while. I simply did not know enough about it and probably won’t find out much more as time passes.
This is my Grandparents, Norwood and Colleen Jonas. I have been told the other man is Norwood’s brother, Joseph. I don’t dispute it, but I am just not certain.
I am told this photo is in Richmond, Utah, but nobody can quite pin down what the building is in the background or the road/grade in which they stand. The building does look like a granary, but seems too large. I wouldn’t think a granary would have a chimney. One told me there is a railroad track in the grade behind that I think simply looks like a great sidewalk next to an unpaved road. It is all a mystery.
Why would Grandpa and Grandma be out walking with brother Joe? Is this a new paving project? State Street? State Highway?
Last year traveling through Montana, we stopped and spent the night in Superior, Montana. The next day was the Hiawatha Trail, which I have not written about yet.
We had trekked from Bozeman to Helena to Superior during the course of the day. The kids were done and didn’t want to do much. I went out for a little trip around Superior. Only a block from our hotel, I snapped this picture of the Mineral County Courthouse. I Did not know the tiny town of Superior was a County seat.
I drove east and across the river up the hillside. From there I took the following two pictures. Picturesque little town.
Clark Fork River from Superior, Montana, looking west.
Clark Fork River, Superior, Montana, looking east.
One year ago I took the four kids to go on a sightseeing tour. Amanda did not feel up to the trip and I just needed to get of town and reduce cabin fever. We went on a trip to various locations, but here are some pictures from 25 July 2020.
I had not been to Dingle, Idaho, where my Grandmother is buried for quite a while and none of my children had memories of being there, so that was our first stop.
One of our first stops was at Register Rock State Historic Park. It is located near Massacre Rocks State Park outside American Falls, Idaho.
Hiram and James Ross at Register Rock State Historic Site
On the way we stopped at Teuscher Square in Bancroft, Idaho.
Lillie, Aliza, and James Ross at Teuscher Square, Bancroft, Idaho.
We found our way to Dingle and took a picture with my Grandmother’s grave in Dingle, Idaho.
Lillian, Hiram, James, and Aliza Ross with tombstone of Colleen Mary Andra (1928-1999) and Ivan W Lloyd (1919-2011) on 25 July 2020.
Then we stopped in Paris, Idaho. I took a picture of the Bear Lake Court House but apparently the photo didn’t save. I am disappointed as it has now been torn down. But we snapped some pictures with the Paris Tabernacle.
Lillie Ross beside Paris Tabernacle
James, Lillie, and Hiram Ross beside Paris Tabernacle.
James and Lillie Ross goofing off on north steps of Paris Tabernacle.
Afterwards, the kids had to play on the playground at the Paris Elementary School, just east of the Paris Tabernacle.
Hiram and James Ross at Paris Elementary playground.
We traveled through Logan Canyon and stayed in Logan, Utah, that night.
James, Hiram, Lillie, and Aliza Ross at Bear Lake Overlook.
I previously wrote of our visits to the Logan Cemetery to visit family and notable graves. Those include our Nelson, Wanner, and Andra relatives. Also, graves of Benson, Thatcher, Nibley, Parker, and Maughan.
Then we bedded down for the night for the trip through Cache Valley and home on the next date.
Hiram, James, and Lillie Ross already fast asleep in Logan, Utah.
Milo James Ross Silver Star being awarded by Major General Clarkson
Above is the frame of Grandpa’s awards that hung on the wall in their living room. This is the only photo I have of his being awarded the Silver Star by Major General Clarkson.
Here is the language of the letter related to the incident.
~
Headquarters 33d Infantry Division
A.P.O 33
GENERAL ORDERS
NUMBER 204
SILVER STAR—…………..II
Section I
SILVER STAR — Awards. By direction of the President, the provision of the act of Congress approved 9 July 1918, (Bul 43 WD 1918), a Silver Star is awarded by the Commanding General, 33d Infantry Division, to the following-name officers and enlisted men:
Technical Sergeant Milo J Ross, 39 834 044, Infantry, United States Army. For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Galiabo, Mountain Province, Luzon, Philippines Islands, on 13 April 1945. Sargent Ross, weapons platoon sergeant, was attacking with his rifle company along a very narrow ridge when the enemy, holding the commanding ground, subjecting the leading elements to intense machine gun fire from four well camouflaged emplacements fifty to seventy-five yards distant. At the same time, enemy machine guns and mortars opened fire on the reminder of the company from the flank. Several men were wounded and the advance was halted. Sergeant Ross was called upon to place mortar fire on the enemy guns and silence then before further casualties were suffered. Recognizing that due to the proximity of our troops to the target it would endanger their lives to fire from his position because good observation was impossible, and being aware of the extreme danger of moving his men to a forward position, Sergeant Ross seized a mortar tube and several rounds of ammunition, and, alone unaided, worked his way forward in the face of intense enemy fire until he was within forty yards of the nearest enemy machine gun. Firing at point blank range, Sergeant Ross accurately placed fire against the enemy strong points until his ammunition was expended superbly covering the targets, forcing the enemy to seek cover and enabling the assault squad to close in and destroy the four machine gun nests, killing twenty-six enemy. Freed from this stubborn enemy opposition, the company moved forward to seize its objective. Sergeant Ross courage, fighting spirit and devotion to duty reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Home address: Mrs. Gladys Maxine Ross ( wife, 620 5th Street, Ogden, Utah.)
BY COMMAND OF MAJOR GENERAL CLARKSON:
OFFICIAL: /S/ Anthony E Meehl, A. T. McAnsh
Anthony S Meehl, Colonel, G.S.C.,
Captain, A.G.D., Chief Of Staff
Actg. Adj. Gen,
Some additional information
Percy William Clarkson (9 December 1893 – 14 September 1962).
Andrew Thomas McAnsh (6 April 1905 – 4 February 1983).
Anthony E Meehl (15 August 1911 – 25 November 1988).
Copy of the Excerpt Grandpa kept of his Silver Star Award.
Millie Andra, Wilma Wanner, Colleen Andra, Donald Andra, Dale Andra, and June Andra
I don’t know this occasion. I don’t know where it is either. All siblings and a first cousin, Mary Louise Wanner Andra and Willard John Wanner are siblings. Wilma appears to be wearing a Preston High sweater.
I wanted to share the photo. It gives a little insight into the Andra and Wanner families.
Sagacity 