The Latham Family Story

.

Ancestry of the

Latham Family

Renville County

Minnesota

This site, information and photographs
have been prepared by Robert M. Frazee based
upon my recollections and a family history started by my
father, Russell L. Frazee, and continued by my
brother, James R. Frazee, who posted his work on the internet.
I have expanded upon their work with this compilation containing
additional historical information, photographs and family memories.

Family updates and photographs have been contributed by
Shannon Lee Welch nee Frazee, (sister)
Betty Magnuson nee Frazee, (cousin)
Ruth Meyer nee Latham, (cousin)
Judy Severson nee Bjerke, (cousin)
Linda Henely nee Latham, (2nd cousin)
Cindy Janssen nee Latham, (2nd cousin)
and other family members.

Created by Bob Frazee
Copyright 2015, 2014, all rights reserved.
Last Update: 19 Jan 2011; 7 Feb 2014; 14 Feb 2014; 18 Feb 2014, 15 Aug 2015

The Frazee Clan


Oliver Sidney Frazee
aka: "The Boss" and "Grandpa"
This is where it all started.
Our founder visited Arizona, 1951
Some of his genes are in each of us.


James Frazee (1775 - 1851)

   Jonathan Frazee (1816 - 1891)

      Isaac Newton Frazee (1839 - 1892)

         Oliver Sidney Frazee (1878 - 1955)

            Gladys Fay Frazee (1898 - 1930)

         The Latham Family Connection

                  J.D. Oliver Latham (1924 - 1997)

                  Ruth Meier nee Latham (1925 - )

Family Stories

James Frazee(1), of English parentage, was born about 1775 at Newark, New Jersey. One source of information gives him as being a native of New York. He died June 3, 1851. The tombstone record, at Lost Creek Cemetery, North of Casstown in the vicinity of Troy, Ohio, gives his death as of June 26, 1851. He married one Rachel Knight, of German descent, from Western Pennsylvania. Children known were James, David, and Jonathan.

James (2) Frazee was born in 1805 and died January 31, 1892, at the age of 87 (Casstown Cemetery, South of Casstown, Ohio.) There is some doubt about this man being a son of James (1) Frazee. He probably was because family history indicates that there was a son by the name of James. There is some question as to the name of his wife. It appears she may have been Anna Dye Frazee, born July 30, 1811, and died December 27, 1893. No record of any children.

David (2) Frazee was born (birth date not known) in Miami County, Ohio. He died at Antioch, Jay County, Indiana, May 10, 1886. He was married three times. His first marriage was to Amanda Ensminger. Of this marriage was born Mary Frazee, Ellen Frazee, Willis Frazee, and Jane Frazee.
  • Mary (3) Frazee was married to Hosea Coldren and had:
    • Eiza (4) Coldren
    • Amanda (4) Coldren, who married John Stern.
    • Flora (4) Coldren, who married Cal Reed.
    • Colwell (4) Coldren. No further information available.
  • Ellen (3) Frazee was married to a William May.
  • Willis (3) Frazee was married to a Deliah Miller. To this marriage was born Nettie Frazee, Thetis Frazee, Charles Frazee, and Lottie Frazee. After his death his widow later married a minister by the name of Moore.
    • Nettie (4) Frazee married C. E. McNary; later her husband married her sister Lottie.
    • Thetis (4) Frazee married Harry Jack of Jay County, Indiana.
    • Charles (4) Frazee never married. He was killed in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War.
    • Lottie (4) Frazee married C. E. McNary.
  • Jane (3) Frazee married a Jack Bye; no further information available.
David (2) Frazee's second marriage was to Hannah Lamborn. Of this marriage was born Jessie Frazee, Fremont Frazee, and Deliah Frazee. Some reports his first wife's name as Mary (History of the family does not support his.)
  • Jessie (3) Frazee married Henry Bridgegrom.
  • Fremont (3) Frazee never married.
  • Deliah (3) Frazee never married. She died in her early life.
David (2) Frazee's third marriage was to Mary Lamborn, a sister of Hannah Lamborn, his second wife. Of this marriage were born:
  • Knight (3) Frazee who never married.
  • John (3) Frazee who never married.
Jonathan Frazee (2) was born September 9, 1816, near Casstown, Miami County, Ohio. He died in Jay County, Indiana, May 6, 1891, at the age of 74, and was buried at Antioch. He had been a resident of Jay County for 50 years and was highly respected. In August of 1837, he married Susannah Layton. She was born June 1, 1816, in Miami County, Ohio, and died June 26, 1889, at the age of 73. She, likewise, was buried at Antioch. She was a daughter of Joseph and Catherine Mann Layton. Jonathan joined the Missionary Baptist Church in 1842, and was an active member until his death in 1891. At the time of his death a card of thanks for sympathy shown the family was signed by "Mollie", probably Mary, David's third wife. His children were: Abner Frazee, Julia Ann Frazee, Eliza Jane Frazee, William Frazee and Isaac Newton Frazee

Family history indicates that in his later life Jonathan was "afraid of the dark." His grandchildren, particularly the children of his son Isaac, were aware of this and often played tricks on him under cover of darkness, such as creating a clattering noise on the window pane by the use of a notched spool and a piece of string, or by banging an empty tin can against the side of the house. He never would make an investigation to determine the source of the racket or noise, but would refer the matter to "Susie," his wife by saying, "Susie, Susie, what was that?" or "Susie, see what this is!" and Susie, who was of fearless character, would make a complete investigation of the area around the house without success, for by that time the culprit disappeared in the darkness. He was a frugal type of man, at least which was the impression he gave his grandchildren when they came to his home for Sunday dinner. His favorite expression or admonition to them, on such occasion as the food was passed was, "Now boy's, do not take too much, you may not like it." .



Susannah Frazee nee Layton
Isaac Newton Frazee's Mother, and
Grandmother to Oliver Sidney Frazee


Jonathan Frazee, Isaac's father, and
Grandfather to Oliver Sidney Frazee

Abner J. Frazee (3), a Civil War Veteran, was born in Portland, Indiana, and never married. Betty Magnuson nee Frazee has the original Civil War discharge document (shown below) of Abner J. Frazee signed by Isaac Newton Frazee, Captain, dated June 14, 1865, probably a brother.


Copy of Discharge Paper
Private Abner J. Frazee
14 day of June 1865
To All Whom It May Concern:

Know ye, that Abner J. Frazee a Private of Captain ..... Company, (C)100th Regiment of Indiana Infantry Volunteers, who was enrolled on the Twenty Eight day of August, one thousand eight hundred and Sixty One to serve three years or during the war, is hereby DISCHARGED from the service of the United States this 14th day of June, 1985, at Indianapolis, Indiana by reason of Telegraphic Order .. dated May 18, 1865. (No objection to his being re-enlisted is known to exist*.)

Said Abner J. Frazee was born in Jay County in the State of Indiana, is Eighteen years of aged, Five feet Nine inches high, Dark complexion, Black eyes, Black hair, and by occupation when enrolled, a Farmer.

Given at Indianapolis, Ind. this Fourteenth day of June 1868.

s/ Isaac I. Frazee
Captain
Commanding the Reg't

{*this sentence will be erased should there be anything in the conduct or physical condition of the soldier rendering him unfit for the Army}

The document contains a round green stamp stating:

Bounty Paid
June 29, 1867
B.J. Moore,
Paymaster U.S.A.



Julia Ann Frazee (3) was born in Portland, Indiana, and married James Smith.

Eliza Jane Frazee (3) was born in Portland, Indiana. She married twice. Her first marriage was to Arthur Dunning. One son, Edgar Dunning, was born of this marriage. Her second marriage was to Elisha B. West. Of this marriage were born:
  • E.H. West (4), who married a Lottie M. LaFollette, on whom no information is available on his marital status.
  • George West (4), on whom no information is available on his marital status.
  • Charles West (4), who married a Skinner.
  • Hulda West (4), married a David Beckdolt. Last information available indicates they lived at Lima, Ohio. She had one daughter.
    • Ruth Beckdolt (5) married a man by the last name of Finn.
  • Clyde West (5) who last lived in Portland, Indiana

William Frazee (3) was born in 1818 in Miami County, Ohio, probably near Casstown. He died at Broadhead, Wisconsin, in 1899, at the age of eighty (80) years. He married twice. The name of his first wife is not available. Of this first marriage there were at least three children: Lou, Laura, and William Jr. His second marriage was to a Mary Merchant, who following her husband’s death moved to and lived at Laurens, Iowa, for several years. Oliver Sidney (4) Frazee, while residing at Laurens, Iowa, lived on her farm. It was known as 'Aunt Mary Frazee Farm." Of this second marriage two daughters and one son were born:

  • Nettie Frazee (4) who married William Bartley.
  • George Frazee (4) on whom further information is not available.
  • There is no information available on the name of second daughter.
Isaac Newton Frazee (3), a Civil War Veteran, was born January 4, 1839, in Miami County, Ohio. He moved to Jay County, Indiana, in 1847. He enlisted in the Union Army in the 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After being discharged, he re-enlisted in Company H, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. At the time of his discharge in 1865 he was a Captain.


The 19th Indiana Volunteer Infantry was the pet regiment of Gov. Oliver P. Morton of Indiana. Unfortunately there is no full length history of the 19th Indiana. A sketch of the regiment's career is printed in "Indiana at Antietam," pp 107-123. The 19th Indiana, with the 2nd, 6th, and 7th Wisconsin Regiments, was assembled in Fredericksburg in the spring of 1862 and placed under the command of young John Gibbons. This outfit, the 19th Indiana, 2nd, 6th and 7th Wisconsin Regiments became known as the "Black Hat Brigade," which was to become famous throughout the remainder of the Civil War. The men of this outfit were outfitted, beyond regulations, with black felt hats and white gaiters/ hence their nickname, "The Black Hat Brigade." It served with valor in the army of the Potomac under McClellan, Hooker, and Meade, the army often referred to in Civil War history as "Mr. Lincoln 's Army." The Black Hat Brigade fought with distinction in the battles of Gainesville, Warrentown, South Mountain, Antietam, Second Battle of Bull Run, and the Battle of Gettysburg. It was at the battle of South Mountain that the Black Hat Brigade became known as the "Iron Brigade." The accepted story is that McClellan, watching its progress up the gap of South Mountain, had exclaimed in admiration: "That brigade must be made of iron!" Whatever its origin, the name stuck, and the brigade lived up to it valiantly the next summer at Gettysburg. See Gibbons Personal Recollections and also Bruce Catton's Mr. Lincoln's Army edited in 1954 and in whose book the famous Black Hat Brigade and its exploits are frequently referred to. This latter book is an interesting historical work about the Civil War as view through the Army of the Potomac, with all of its failures, misfortunes, and lack of leadership on the top level. Other works of Bruce Catton, include Glory Road, This Hallowed Ground, and A Stillness at At Appomattox, which are recommended readings. Anyone interested in Civil War drama and the feelings and passions of the battlefield may find these works worth reading.

Isaac Newton Frazee was married twice. His first marriage was to Adelia Coldren who was a sister of Charles Coldren's father (Hosea Coldren who had married Mary Frazee, a daughter of David (2) Frazee by his first marriage.) Of this first marriage to Adelia Coldren, one child, a daughter was born about 1851, named Clara (4) Frazee.

  • Clara Frazee (4) married Sam Bickole and died at an early age (under 30 years of age).

Isaac Newton Frazee (3) second marriage was to Ruth Ann Cox. Ruth Ann Cox was born August 11, 1846. She died November 23, 1886, at the age of 40 years. Isaac died August 29, 1892, and was buried at Antioch.


Isaac Newton and Ruth Ann Frazee nee Cox
(Photo provided to family members by Wilma Frazee nee Hyndman)

Of his second marriage to Ruth Ann Cox there were born 6 children: Jonathan C.P. Frazee, Rebecca M. Frazee, Ada M. Frazee, Bernie Frazee (also known as James Frazee), William Frazee, Elizabeth Edna Frazee, and Oliver Sidney Frazee (4), all born in Portland, Indiana.

  • Jonathan C.P Frazee (4) was born March 24, 1866. He married twice. His first marriage was to Margaret (Maggie) Bolen. His second marriage was to Martha Bolen, a half sister of his first wife. He had several sons and one daughter. For years the family lived at Laurens, Iowa. About 1916, they moved to Arizona and settled around Phoenix, Mesa, Florence, and Chandler, Arizona. It is remembered within the family that Oliver and Elizabeth Frazee went to Arizona in 1951 to visit his brother.
  • Rebecca M. Frazee (4) was born February 13, 1868. She was married twice. Her first marriage was to Frank Bolen, a half brother of Martha Bolen, who was the second wife of Rebecca's brother, Jonathan C. P. Frazee. The children of this marriage were:
    • James Bolen (5)was born on December 11, 1890.
    • Ord Bolen (5) was born on February 14, 1892.
    • Bessie Bolen (5) was born on May 6, 1886.
    • Atho Bolen (5) was who died in infancy.
  • Rebecca's second marriage was to Edward Huffman. Four children were born to this marriage:
    • Ruth Huffman (5), born on May 19, 1901.
    • Clarence Huffman, born on March 31, 1903.
    • May Huffman (5), born on July 19, 1905.
    • Atho Bolen (5) who died in infancy.
  • Ada M. Frazee (4) was born November 2, 1871. She was married to William Brimm. Two children where produced from this marriage:
    • Ruth Brimm (5), who married Edward Honzay of Olivia, Minnesota.
    • Byron Brimm (5).
  • Bernie Frazee (4) married Cora Sutter. They had three children:
    • Vernie Frazee (5)
    • Russell Frazee (5)
    • Earl Frazee (5)
  • William Frazee (4) died in illness at the age of 22, never married.
  • Elizabeth Edna Frazee (4) was married twice. Her first marriage was to Harry Evans. She had one daughter, Ruth (5) Evans by her first marriage. Her second marriage was to Joseph Hill and they had no children. [Editorial note: the original document prepared by Russell Frazee contains this comment: "Mohter is dead and daughter now lives in California]
    • Ruth Evans (5) never married.

(Updated: 22 July 2010)


Oliver Sidney Frazee (4), the youngest son of Isaac Newton Frazee, was born at Portland, Indiana, September 10, 1878. He was married twice. His first marriage was to Ruth Fields. Ruth died of tuberculoses. Of this marriage two children were born. A son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Gladys Fay Frazee (5), born November 6, 1898.


Oliver Sidney Frazee

Oliver and Ruth Frazee nee Fields.

     Gladys Fay Latham nee Frazee (5) married JC Latham of Bird Island. Gladys had recurring tuberculosis so she went to the Riverside Sanitarium in Granite Falls, MN, where George Frazee was also hospitalized with TB. While on a home stay, Gladys became pregnant with Charles Toby who succumbed to complications from TB and an enlarged heart at 6 weeks of age. Gladys contracted TB and was hospitalized in the Riverside Sanitarium in Granite Falls, Chippewa County, Minnesota, where she died in 1930. Of this marriage two children were born: J.D. Latham (6), and Ruth Latham (6). [See Latham Family history - Ruth Meyer nee Latham - below]



Gladys with J.D. and Ruth
Summer, 1926?


Gladys with her father, Oliver
Frazee having a lollipop?


(Updated: 22 July 2010)

The Latham Family

Ezra Latham married Nancy A. Andrews. Their son was Harvey E. Latham. The family probably lived in Germany.

Harvey E. Latham (1841 - 1899) married Lovica Perry (1842 - 1902). Lovica's parents were Ezra Perry and Mary C. Howard. The family may have lived in Germany and migrated to the United States. Their son was Charles Chester Latham.

[Note from Linda Hanley nee Latham, 5 June 2010. Miranda (my daughter) interviewed Wilma in 2003 for her sixth grade "Meine Deutsche Erbschaft" report (My German Heritage) . Wilma was 93 yrs old at the time. Until this conversation with Wilma, I had no idea we were related to her. I always thought she was a relative only by marriage.]

"Mary Meyer [Latham] was about 10 when she got on the boat that took her from Hanover, Germany to America. It was the mid-1800's and both of Mary's parents were dead. Mary was traveling with her double aunt and double uncle [a brother and sister had married a sister and brother] and her 9 year old double cousin . Mary's two older male cousins had immigrated to Iowa earlier to avoid conscription into the Kaiser's army. After these two young men got settled, they sent for the rest of the family. One of the few remaining stories about their trip was when they were being picked up at the train station. Mary's uncle refused to ride in the horse cart because "horses were for farming, not for riding".

Charles Chester Latham Born on Feb 23, 1868 in Geneva, Franklin County, IA. in 1871 he moved from Geneva, Iowa to Hampton Iowa with his parents and three sisters. He married Mary Latham nee Meyer in 1896. Mary Meyer was born on March 5, 1876 in Hanover, Ofenstein, Germany, had emigrated from Germany to the United States with her aunt, uncle and double cousin, Mary Brandt nee Hyndman [Wilma Hyndman nee Frazee's mother], in 1891 or 1893 (not sure). Charles and Mary Latham moved to Bird Island, MN, and engaged in farming. They moved to town (Bird Island) in 1915. Mary died on June 27, 1931 in Willmar, MN. Charles died on July 1, 1938 and was living with his daughter Lois Latham Kienholz at the time of his death. [Wilma Frazee nee Hyndman referred to herself as a "double cousin with Mary Meyer. The term "doubly-related", for those of us in the Latham clan means Wilma is our cousin and also our aunt by marriage to Donald Frazee.] Charles and Mary Latham had 6 children Fleda, Thelma, JC, Iantha and Lois (died 1946).


Myrtle Hyndman, Dick Hyndman,
Aurie Hyndman, Mary Brandt nee Hyndman,
and Charles Latham
date unknown


The Charles C. and Mary (Meyer) Latham Family.
JC Latham is Ruth and J.D.'s father
Charles C. and Mary (Meyer) Latham are their grandparents
Fleda, Thelma, Lois (1946), and Lois are their aunts.

The Latham, Hyndman and Rudeen Families/Connection


Ruth and J.D.'s parents, grandparents, uncles,aunts and family friends


The family as seen by Ruth Latham
Charles C. and Mary Latham nee Meyer had five children:
JC Latham married Gladys Frazee (not shown)
Ted Nordquist married Iantha Latham
Bill Rudeen married Fleda Latham and their
children are Adele and Louine
Bill Rudeen's father was known as "Grandpa Rudeen" and "adored by all"
Thelma Latham married Otto Buhman (not shown) and their children are Helen and Vivian Buhman
Lois Latham eventually married Don Keinholz (not shown)

Mary Hyndman nee Brandt, a cousin to Mary Latham nee Meyer, married Aurie Hyndman


Mary Meyer and Mary Brandt are cousins. They emigrated to the Untied States from Germany when Mary Meyer was 14. Her parents were alive and she corresponded with them until WWI when she lost contact.

Mary Meyer married Charles C. Latham.

Mary Brandt married Aurie Hyndman and their children were Russell and Wilma Hyndman nee Frazee.
Wilma married Donald Frazee so she was related to Ruth and J.D. through both the Hyndman and Frazee families.

Obituary for Charles C. Latham - July 1, 1938

Charles Chester Latham as born on February 23, 1868, at Geneva, Iowa, and died Friday, July 1, 1938, at the age of 70 years, 4 months and 8 days. He was the son of Harvey and Lovica Latham.

In 1871 his parents and three sisters, tow of whom preceded him in death, moved to Hampton, Iowa. Here he grew to manhood and was united in marriage to M. Louise Meyer in 1896. To this union six children were born, five of whom are still living. One son died in infancy in 1908

In 1902 the Latham family moved to Minnesota and settled on the farm now occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Thelma Buhmann, north of Bird Island. For the next 12 years, he was engaged in farming around Bird Island moving to town in 1915.

On June 27, 1931, Mrs. Latham passed away, and in the spring of 1932 he moved out in the country where he farmed for the next 4 years. In the fall of 1936, Mr. Latham moved back to Bird Island, making his home with his daughter, Mrs. Donald Kienholz, where death overtook him.

Mr. Latham had been in poor health for the past year but was able to be up and around until three weeks ago. He gradually grew weaker and weaker, passing quietly away shortly after the noon hour on Friday, July 1.

The deceased is survived by his five children, 16 grandchildren and one sister, Mrs. A.L. Savidge, of Hampton, Iowa.

The children left to mourn his death are (Fleda) Mrs. William Rudeen, who was unable to attend the services; (Thelma) Mrs. Thelma Buhmann, of Bird Island; J.C. Latham, of Willmar; (Iantha) Mrs. Theo. Nordquist, of Minneapolis, and (Lois, died 1946) Mrs Donald Kienholz, of Bird Island.

A short service was held at the home on Sunday afternoon at 1:30, following with services at the M.E. church in this village, Rev. Oscar Holt officiating. Internment was made in the village cemetery. Old acquaintances of Mr. Latham acted as honorary pallbearers, namely, George Wolff, Jack Danzer, Ben Bomstad, Cecil Skinner, James Brown and James Murray.

Active pallbearers were Cary Smith, Paul Kolbe, Ed Kienholz, Mike Sanger, Ed Beske and Tim Hurley.

Relatives and friends who attended the services were: Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Koch, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Savidje, of Hampton, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Nordquist, Mr. and Mrs Theo. Nordquist and children, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Korst, Mr. and Mrs. Gust Schmitt, Mr. and Mrs James Adams, Miss Lillian Buhmann and Miss Agnes Bottin of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Kurth, of Hutchinson, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Castle of Marshall, Mr. and Mrs D.G. Hyndman, Mr. and Mrs Oliver Frazee, Mr and Mrs R.C. Hyndman, Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Hyndman, and Mr. and Mrs Donald Frazee, all of Olivia.

Obituary for Mrs. Charles C. Latham - June 27, 1931

This community was shocked and deeply grieved Sunday morning to hear of the death of Mrs. Chas. C. Latham of this village. Her death occurred early that morning at a Willmar hospital where she had submitted to an operation a few days previous.

Mrs. Latham was always a devoted wife, mother and friend, and her passing beyond leaves a wide void that cannot be filled, and her untimely death has proven a great shock, not only to her relatives, but also to her host of friends.

Mary Louise Meyer was born in Hanover Ofenstein, Germany on March 5, 1876, and came to America when 14 years old. She resided at Hampton, Iowa until her marriage to Charles Latham in 1896. The family moved to Renville County in 1902, and have made their home here ever since.

On June 18 she was taken to the Willmar Hospital where she underwent an operation for appendicitis. For a while she seemed to be getting along nicely, but on Saturday evening, June 27, at 5 o'clock she suddenly turned for the worse. She died at 12:20, shortly after midnight.

....

She leaves to mourn her death her husband and five children, namely: Mrs. Otto Buhman, Bird Island, Mrs. Theo. Nordquist of Minneapolis, and Lois and J.C.. Latham at home. She also leaves twelve grandchildren.

. . .

Relatives from a distance were: Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Savidge of Hansell, Iowa; Mrs. Florence McCrillis and daughter, Lucia, of Hampton, Iowa; Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Hyndman and daughter, Wilma; Mr. and Mrs. D.G. Hyndman and family of Olivia; Mr. and Mrs. I.B. Brosma of Delhi; Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Castle of Marshall; and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hyndman of Danube.

The [Bird Island] Union joins in extending to the bereaved husband, children and other relatives, sincere sympathies in their loss.

     Fleda Rudeen nee Latham (1895 - 1926) married William Rudeen of Bird Island. They had five children: Louine Steffel (Arizona), Adele Palmer (Bird Island, MN), Dale Rudeen (deceased), Lola Mae Bockemuehl (California), and Beverly Bruder (Arizona)

     Thelma Buhmann nee Latham (1899 - 1972) married Otto Buhmann of Bird Island. They lived in the house next to the Methodist Church in Bird Island. Their children were Vivian (deceased) who married Claude Johnson, Helen Sing (deceased) and Elaine Julius (Olivia).

     JC Latham (no period, no middle name, just JC but he was called "J") (1900 - 1985) married Gladys Fay Frazee (1898 - 1930). They had three children: J.D., Ruth, and Charles Toby. Gladys Fay Latham nee Frazee, was diagnosed with TB. Prior to giving birth to Ruth, Gladys took JD and went to North Carolina to stay with a relative (we don't know who that would have been); Ruth was born in New Bern, NC. Following the birth Gladys and the children returned to Bird Island. While on a home stay, Gladys became pregnant with Charles Toby who succumbed to complications from TB and an enlarged heart at 6 weeks of age. She had recurring tuberculosis so she went to the Riverside Sanitarium in Granite Falls, MN, where she died.

Obituary for J.C. Latham - Nov 4, 1985

JC Latham (May 2, 1900 - Nov 1, 1985) never re-married after Gladys' death.

"Funeral services held November 4 for J. Latham, 85. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 4 at the Gleasener Funeral Home in Bird Island for J.C. Latham, 85, of Bird Island, whop died Friday, Nov. 1, at the Renville County Hospital in Olivia.

Reverend John Burman officiated. Burial was in the Bird Island City Cemetery.

Pallbearers, nephews of the deceased, included Gayle Johnson, Harvey and Charles Kienholz, Gordon Sing, Lowell Nordquist and Dale Rudeen.

Mr. Latham was born May 2, 1900 at Hampton, IA to Charles and Mary Latham. He moved with his family to Renville County at age two-years, and had lived in the area since that time. He was an avid fisherman all of his life. He married Gladys Frazee in 1923.

He managed the Bird Island Municipal Liquor Store for 29 years, and also did farm labor.

His wife, Gladys, preceded him in death in 1929.

Survivors include a son, J.D. Latham of Wahpeton, ND; a daughter, Ruth Meier of Redwood City, Calif. a sisterk, Mrs Theo Nordquist of Minneapolis; six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.


Gladys Latham with J.D. and Ruth
Probably Summer of 1926


JC Latham married Gladys Frazee
Father to J.D. and Ruth Latham
December 25, 1913

          J.D. Oliver Latham (6) was born on June 12, 1924, in Olivia, MN. Betty tells us that her mother, Wilma Frazee, was present when J.D. was born - like a midwife. J.D.'s, mother, Gladys Fay Latham nee Frazee, was hospitalized for treatment of TB in the Riverside Sanitarium in Granite Falls where she died in 1930. After Gladys' death it was agreed between the grandparents that each of the two families would raise one of the children. [Ruth was raised by Charles and Mary Latham -see her history below]

J.D. Latham served in the United States Army in WWII II where he served in the signal corps assigned to a unit in Germany. Having family photographs taken at that time was not common. Every soldier, however, was encouraged to have a photograph of their parents to take with them when they went overseas. The photograph of Oliver and Elizabeth Frazee, shown above, is the one J.D. carried of his parents when he went to war. The army obviously encouraged such photographs for morale purposes to remind the soldier of his family back home.


Oliver & Elizabeth Frazee, @ 1944
Photograph carried by J.D. Latham when he
went to war in Germany during WWII
(Source: Bertie Mae Frazee. George and Bertie Mae Frazee
kept this photo in their home until George's death)

JD and Ruth Latham
June 1, 1945

Following his discharge he attended the North Dakota State University, Fargo, on the GI Bill where he obtained a degree in Agriculture. As a member of the Minnesota National Guard he was called to active duty during the Korea War. He married Marjory "Marge" Frank of Morris, MN, who graduated from the University of Minnesota (B.S. Home Economics). Marge met J.D. when she was working for Renville County and rented a room from J.D.'s uncle. They were married on March 18, 1950. Marjory was born on October 7, 1924, and died on February 1, 2014. Her mother was Fara Frank (June 16, 1893 - June 6, 1966)(see Marge's history below.) J.D.'s first job was as a County Agricultural Extension Agent in Valley City, ND, he then moved to Bowman, ND, where he served as the County Agent. In 1971 he moved to Wahpeton and retired there in 1987. He served as an Agricultural Extension Agent for 30 years. J.D. died of myasthenia gravis on May 7, 1997, in Sun City, Arizona. They have one son, Steven, and three daughters, Linda, Cynthia and Kimberly.

J.D. and Marge Latham's Wedding Photo

March 18, 1950


J.D. and Marjory Latham shown with
Kert and Judy Severson nee Bjerke
Judy's daughter Jennifer Beth Erlandson
Photo taken at Donald & Wilma Frazee 50th Wedding Anniversary
Labor Day weekend, 1982

Marjory Latham

Taken from the "Resident Spotlight", June, 2010, issue of the
Walker Elder Suites newspaper where Marge is living.

Marjory "Marge" Latham was born in a small town hospital near Starbuck, Minnesota. This was about 30 miles from her home in the country town of Hancock. Marge's father was a veterinarian and also managed their farm of hired workers. As a result, she has many fond memories of traveling with her father on house calls. Marge's mother (Fara Frank: June 16, 1893 - June 6, 1966) was very social and quite the classy lady. Her mother attended finishing school out East and didn't associate with farmer's wives. Marge remembers her mother always reminding her to put her shoulders back and stand tall. To practice correct posture, she had to practice walking with a book on her head. Marge attended a rural school and had the same teacher for all 8 grades. Growing up on a farm, Marge did a lot of baking for the farm workers. She liked to cook for them because they always loved everything she made - even her new "creations."

Marjory attended the University of Minnesota and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics. Her first job involved managing a coffee bar at a grocery store. She remembers this being a difficult job and shedding many tears when the donut machine refused to work correctly! Her next job was as a Home Economist for the county. She worked with 4H clubs, farm wives, and homemaker clubs teaching new cooking techniques.

Marjory was introduced to her husband, J.D., while renting a room at his aunt and uncle's house [the appartment building where George and Bertie Mae Frazee lived] during her job with the county. Together they had four children: Steven, Linda, Cynthia, and Kimberly. She and J.D. raised their children in the town of Bowman, North Dakota. She remembers getting up at the crack of dawn to go on day ski trips to Terry Peak in South Dakota. She would relax with hot chocolate and knit in the lounge while her kids and husband hit the slopes. Marge and her husband were very family-orientated while raising their children. She has many fond memories of their times together.

Margory at a Glance:
Birthday: October 7, 1924
Death: February 1, 2014
Favorite Movies: Westerns or anything related to History
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Food: Chinese food
Interesting Fact about Marge:
Marge has a big fear of chickens. She refused to
check for eggs while growing up on the farm.

Marjory Jane Latham,
Age 89, of Edina, MN,
Passed away on February 1, 2014.

(Updated: 7 Feb 2014)

Marjory was born on October 7, 1924 at Starbuck, MN to Lewis & Fara Frank. Her parents couldn't agree on a name for her, so for three years she was just called "Red" after her hair color. One day, after running away from one of the hired hands in town, the man told her parents they had to name her because it didn't look good for him to be running down the street having to call , "Red, Red".

Marj began college in Iowa but moved back to Minnesota when her Mother became ill. She graduated with a BA in Home Economics from the University of Minnesota in 1947.

While working as a home economist for a grocery store in Bird Island, MN, Marj's upstairs landlord, introduced her to his nephew, JD Latham. Marj and JD were married in 1950 in Mpls and celebrated 47 wonderful years together before his death in 1997.

During the years that Marjory raised her children, she and JD resided in Bowman, ND and then later Wahpeton, ND. Her children have fond memories of her welcoming their friends at any time, her homemade bread and cookies, and her support of them in all their endeavors. She was active in the Homemaker's Club, Eastern Star and as 4-H Leader. She was also an avid bridge player her entire adult life. Everyone who knew Marj knew she loved to talk - except when the cards were dealt and the hand was started.

In retirement, Marj spent the winter in Sun City, AZ and the summers at her Ottertail Lake cabin. Every summer she was able to enjoy her children and grandchildren gathering at the cabin to spend time with her and each other.

In 2009, Marjory moved to the Walker Methodist Suites in Edina, MN where she became the go-to resident for any outing, activity or information.

Marjory is survived by her four children; Steven (Karen) Latham of Bismarck, ND, Linda Latham of Los Altos,CA, Cynthia (Ed) Janssen of Edina, MN and Kimberly (John ) Maly of Beggs, OK as well as her six grandchildren; Sean Henely, Alicia Maly, Miranda Henely, Steven Janssen, Joe Latham and Anna Latham.

               Steven Latham (7) was born on June 7, 1951, and lives in Bismark, North Dakota, where he practices law. Steve has been married twice. His first wife was Brenda and they were divorced. Steve married Karen Kristensen on July 25, 1998. She had two children whom Steve adopted, a son, Joe who graduated from high school in June, 2010, and is attending Oregon State University on a wrestling scholarship; and Anna who is a junior in high school(fall 2010).

Latham Family at Wilma Frazee 80th Birthday Party, June 2000
Cindy Janssen nee Latham, Steve Latham, Marge Latham, Karen Latham
Anna Latham, Wilma Frazee, Joe Latham, Ruth Meyer nee Latham and Jeanine Meyer

               Linda Henely nee Latham (7) was born on September 8, 1953 and lives in Los Altos, California. She married Robert Martin Henely on December 14, 1985 and they were divorced "around 1991". She has son, Sean Robert and a daughter, Miranda Latham.

                     Sean Robert Henely (8), born August 9, 1986. Sean is a licensed real estate appraiser and is graduating June 2010 from UC San Diego, CA, with a degree in Economics.

                     Miranda Latham Henely (8), born November 10, 1989. Miranda is currently (June 2010) attending UC Berkeley, CA.

               Cynthia Janssen nee Latham (7) was born on January 7, 1955 and lives in Edina, Minnesota, and is married to Ed Janssen. They have a son, Steven. Steven graduated from St. Thomas Military Academy, 2009, and in the summer of 2010 he finished his first year of college at the University of Texas in Austin in the McComb Business School and is a member of the Kappa Alpha (KA) fraternity.


Cindy and Steven at his high school graduation
from St Thomas Military Academy, June 2009

Steve with Cooper
Christmas, 2010

               Kimberly Maly nee Latham (7) was born December 1, 1958 and lives in Beggs, Oklahoma. She is married to John Paul Maly. John works teaching business courses at a state college and Kimberly works with kindergartners. They also own and operated Maly and Maly Oil Company, an independent oil producer. They have a daughter, Alicia Marjory. Alicia will graduate from Oklahoma State University with a degree in animal science with a pre-vet option in December 2010.


Alicia and Kim Maly nee Latham
Family Reunion, July 2010

The Latham Branch, July 2010



Back Row: Cindy Janssen nee Latham, Linda Henely nee Latham, Jeanine Meier,
Dan and Jonel Courtney, Kim Maly nee Latham
Front Row: Miranda Henely, Ruth Meier nee Latham, Alicia Maly

          Ruth Latham (6) was born October 17, 1925, and died on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2014, at 88 years of age. Ruth's parents were J and Gladys Fay Latham nee Frazee. Her mother, Gladys Fay Latham nee Frazee, was diagnosed with TB, prior to giving birth to Ruth, Gladys took JD and went to North Carolina to stay with a relative (we don't know who that would have been); Ruth was born in New Bern, NC. Following the birth Gladys and the children returned to Bird Island. Gladys died from TB in 1930. The children were placed with separate grandparents - Ruth with Charles and Mary Latham and JD with Oliver and Elizabeth Frazee. Mary Latham, died later in 1930 from complications following surgery. Ruth then lived with her grandfather and youngest aunt, Lois Latham, on a farm in Bird Island. Following Lois' marriage to Donald Keinholz, Charles, Ruth, Lois, and Donald Keinholz moved into town where they shared a house until Charles's death in 1938. Evidently, Donald and Lois, having two small children at that point, could not afford to keep Ruth, so, at the age of 13, Ruth applied for a job with the Dr. Kasper, the dentist in Bird Island, and his wife to work for her board and room while attending school. At 19, Ruth moved to Minneapolis with her cousin, Lola Rudeen, She worked as a waitress at Dayton's in Downtown Minneapolis with her Aunt Hazel Frazee.

At some point during High School, Ruth asked JC Latham, her father, for money to buy a class ring; JC refused to give her the money. Dr. Kasper told Russell Frazee, then County Attorney, about the incident. Russell was Ruth ’s legal guardian and he took JC to court where Ruth had to testify that her father did not offer her any help nor even ask how she was doing if he saw her on the street. (Ruth recalls that the episode was very traumatic and does not like to think of it.) JC was ordered to pay $10 per month in support, which went to Russell to manage.

Among the memorable events, Ruth recalls Sister Kenney coming to the restaurant and how everyone knew she was there before they saw her because her energy or aura changed the atmosphere of the dining room; also, at Christmas time, Mr. Dayton would greet all of the employees in a receiving line and how there was a sign telling the employees not to squeeze Mr. Dayton's hand.

Ruth lived in a boarding house in Uptown until Barton and Lois Burton nee Nordquist, (her cousin) offered to take her with them to San Francisco, California in 1946. George Burton was an engineer in the US Navy who was assigned to lead the engineering team working on the crane at Hunter's Point Naval Shipyard. Ruth stayed with Lois and George Burton in Hunter's point until she discovered Redwood City, California, which was quite a bit warmer and more interesting. Ruth worked as a waitress in Redwood City.

Ruth has been married twice. She married Bill Courtney in 1948 and had a son, Daniel Charles in 1952; they separated in 1954 and divorced.

  • [The above biographical information was provided to this author by Ruth Meier nee Latham]
  • [I received the following E-mail message 21 Feb 2014: Hi I'm Marjean Palmer Stanton and mom is Adele Rudeen Palmer and her mom was Fleda Latham and I read you Latham - Frazee blog and you had a question mark on Lois Latham's death year - mom's memory of years ago is sharp yet at 93 and she said Lois died in 1946. Thought I could fill in the blank for you! ]

Obituary for Ruth Latham Meier, Feb 14, 2014

["I found a handwritten obituary that mom wrote. I've added a little, but this is basically what she wanted people to know. Please let me know if I messed anything up!- Jeanine Meier)]

Ruth Meier, 88, of Sartell, MN, passed away February 14, 2014. She was born in New Bern, NC on October 17, 1925 to Gladys (Frazee) and J.C. Latham. Ruth grew up in Bird Island, Minnesota. At 18, in 1943, Ruth and her cousin Lola moved to Minneapolis to work. In 1946, she moved to San Francisco with cousin Lois when Lois’ husband, George Burton, a Naval engineer, was assigned to an engineering project building the crane at Candlestick Point. After numerous adventures with Lois, she decided to move away from the foggy Hunters Point neighborhood and went down the peninsula to Redwood City (“Climate Best by Government Test”). She married in 1948 and had her son, Daniel Charles Courtney, in 1952. Following a divorce in 1954, she worked as a waitress and raised Dan on her own. She married George Meier in 1959; to that union a daughter, Jeanine, was born. Ruth and George also opened their home and hearts to Dennis Park who lived with them from 7th grade until he entered the Navy following his High School graduation. Ruth loved people and life. Until her health deteriorated, she was very active in her church. She was always happy to make a hot dish, bake a pie, or serve at a funeral or gathering. She also volunteered at the food shelf, delivered Meals on Wheels, and worked with several social action groups. Until George's retirement, Ruth split her time between homemaking and working in the family plumbing contracting company. She was an excellent cook and enthusiastic hostess, which continued when they moved to Minnesota in 1988 to start their retirement. George passed away in 1996. Following a health scare in 2001, Ruth moved in with Jeanine and together they moved to Sartell in 2005. Brothers JD (1997) and Charles (1928) preceded Ruth in death. Ruth is survived by Dan Courtney, Jeanine Meier, Dennis Park, three nieces (Lindy Latham, Cynthia (Ed) Janssen, and Kimberly (John) Maly) and nephew Steven (Karen) Latham, three great nieces, three great nephews, many wonderful cousins, and her very special friends."

               Daniel Charles Courtney (7) graduated from California State University, Chico with a B.A. in Philosophy. He is an Editor at Wolters Klwer Financial Services. Dan lives with his wife, Jonel, in Sauk Rapids, MN, where he tends a large and diverse garden. He is an avid musician, writer and videographer.


Dan and Jonel Courtney
With Wilma Frazee at her 80th birthday party
June, 2000

          Ruth Meier nee Latham (6) second marriage was to George Meier of San Francisco, California. George was born on June 13, 1922, and played professional football for the San Francisco 49er’s. They had one daughter, Jeanine Dawn Meier (7), born on February 4, 1962.


George and Ruth Meier nee Latham

                Jeanine Dawn Meier (7) graduated from the University of California, Davis, with a B.S. in Biochemistry. She worked for several years in infectious diseases and vaccine research at the University of Minnesota School of Medicine where she authored a number of published journal articles. Following her father's death in 1996, she left medical research to concentrate on writing. Jeanine currently holds the position of Sr. Technical Writer and information Architect at Wolters Kluwer Financial Services and Associate VP of Programs at the McDonnell Group, a boutique Public Relations and Marketing firm in Atlanta, which specializes in technology companies in the Energy and Medical markets. She shares her home in Sartell, MN, with her mother and two spoiled Lhasa Apsos, Tucker and Lucy. [The information about Ruth Meier and her family was provided by Ruth and daughter Jeanine Dawn Meier, June 4, 2010]


Jeanine Meier, Dan & Jonel Courtney
Ruth Meier nee Latham
Reunion, July 2010

     Iantha Norquist nee Latham (1904 - 1992) married Theo Norquist of Minneapolis. They had four children: Merlin Nordquist (deceased), Lowel "Lars" Nordquist (Maple Grove), Lois Nordquist Burton (Crystal), and Marlene Nordquist Genung (Little Canada).

     Lois Keinholz nee Latham. (1914 - ?) Lois married Donald Keinholz of Bird Island. Lois and Don Keinholz had three children: Lavern (Deceased), Harvey (Fridley), and Charles. When Lois died Donald Keinholz married Inez.

The Frazee Family of Renville County, Minnesota


(Updated: 20 July 2010)

Oliver Sidney Frazee’s (4) second marriage was to Elizabeth W. Wiest, born May 17, 1886, at Leola, South Dakota. They were married in Frederick, South Dakota in 1904. Elizabeth W. Wiest is the daughter of Peter Wiest Jr. and Elizabeth Christine Wiest nee Bechtold originally of Rohrbach, Odessa, Russia (now Ukraine). She was born on April 17, 1886 in Leola, Codington County, South Dakota. She died on October 12, 1962, in Olivia, Renville County, Minnesota. Of his second marriage five children were born: Russell L. Frazee, Donald L. Frazee, Hazel Frazee, George 0. Frazee, and Vivian Frazee. Oliver raised his family on a small farm (20 acres) outside of Olivia, Minnesota. Up until the time of his death on March 17, 1955, at Olivia, Minnesota, at the age of 76, he farmed his land with two mules.


Family of Oliver and Elizabeth Frazee
Date Unknown
Oliver and Elizabeth Frazee
Gladys, George, Russell, Donald Vivian & Hazel

Obituary for Oliver Frazee

Mr. Frazee had been ailing for about four weeks. He became seriously ill on Sunday, March 13 and was taken to the local hospital. Suffering from cancer, his condition became critical Tuesday and he died at 2.30 Thursday afternoon.

Oliver Sidney Frazee was born Sept. 10, 1878 at Portland, Ind. His parents, Isaac N. Frazee and Ruth Ann Frazee, died when he was 11 years old and he made his own way and grew to manhood in the place of his birth. He lived at Frederick, S.Dak. from 1902 to 1910 and at Laurens, Iowa from 1910 to 1918. He also lived at Glenwood a few months before coming to Renville county late in 1918. He farmed near Olivia until 1932, when he retired and moved to Olivia.

He was married to Elizabeth Wiest at Frederick, S. Dak. in 1904. He is survived by his widow and five children. They are Russell L. of Bird Island, Donald and George of Olivia, Hazel Bjherke and Vivian Boozier of Minneapolis. One daughter is deceased. Other survivors are 11 grandchildren, three sisters and three brothers.

Attending the funeral from a distance were Mr. and Mrs. Emil Weist, Canby; Mr. and Mrs. Carl T. Bjerke and family, Mr. and Mrs Marlyn Boozier and Mr. and Mrs. Harry T. Knudson, Minneapolis; Mr. and Mrs Lawrence Cuthbert and daughter, Denise, Storm Lake, Iowa, Donald Frazee, Laurans, Iowa; Ed Hoffman, Sioux Rapids, Iowa; Ruth Courtney, Redwood City, Calif.; and J.D. Latham, Valley City, N. Dak.



Oliver & Elizabeth Frazee, @ 1944
Photograph carried by J.D. Latham when he
went to war in Germany during WWII
(Source: Bertie Mae Frazee. George and Bertie Mae Frazee
kept this photo in their home until George's death)


Oliver & Elizabeth Frazee nee Wiest
Their home in Olivia, MN
About 1945


    Elizabeth W. Frazee nee Wiest Heritage

  • Grandparents: Peter Wiest Sr. and Eva Maria Bohlender, of Odessa, Russia.
  • Father: Peter Wiest Jr. was born on 22 Feb 1853 in Rohrbach, Odessa, Russia (now Ukraine). Baptism on 27 Feb 1853 in Rohrbach, Russia. Immigration to the United States on 10 Nov 1884, to Yankton County, SD. He died 1920 in Kentner Township, Dickey County, North Dakota. Reference ID was 2396-01.
  • Mother: Elisabeth Christine Wiest nee Bechtold (b. 1955) immigrated from Russia, via Bremen, Germany, to the United States on 10 Nov 1884. Peter and Elisabeth Wiest had 11 children; five daughters - Kathryn, Esther, Martha, Pauline, and Elizabeth (Grandma Frazee) and .
  • Kathryn A. Wiest. She was born Apr 1880 in Freudental, Liebental District, South Russia. She married James Calvin Horner. They were married about. 1907 in North Dakota. She died on 13 Jul 1952 in San Diego County, California.
  • Esther A. Anderson nee Weist. She was born Mar 1896 in South Dakota. She married Albert Louis Anderson. They were married on 06 Sep 1930 in Minnehaha County, South Dakota. She died on 29 Aug 1951 in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota.
  • Martha Lillian Tamblyn nee Weist. She was born on 11 Nov 1898 in North Dakota. She married William George Tamblyn. They were married on 14 Sep 1916 in Beadle County, South Dakota. She died Apr 1980 in Hand County, South Dakota.
  • Pauline M. Sessions nee Wiest, "Aunt Pauline", was the 5th child born to Peter and Elisabeth Wiest. She the sister of Elizabeth W. Frazee nee Wiest, was born on 23 Apr 1884 in McPherson County, South Dakota. She married George Henry Sessions. They were married on 29 Mar 1914, in Miller, Hand County, South Dakota. She died in Miller, Hand County, South Dakota.
  • Elizabeth W. Frazee nee Wiest is the sixth child born to Peter Wiest Jr. and Elisabeth Christine Bechtold. She was born on 17 Apr 1886 in Leola, Codington County, South Dakota. She died on 12 Oct 1962 in Olivia, Renville County, Minnesota. She married Oliver Sidney Frazee and they had five children.
  • According to Wiest family lore, Peter Wiest Jr. (b. 1853) born in Odessa, Russia, came to the United States, via Bremen, Germany, on 10 Nov 1884 with his wife Elisabeth and daughter Pauline. They also traveled with a five year old son. The Wiest family listed in the 1900 census for Dickey County, North Dakota is the right family and may have found part of the children in the 1920 census in Minnesota.


"Elizabeth Frazee and Her Sisters"
Elizabeth Wiest (Grandma Frazee) on right
(Id by Judy Severson nee Bjerke)
(Photo provided by Linda Henely nee Latham)
)


Elisabeth Christine Wiest
Grandma Frazee's mother
Grandmother to Russell, Donald
Hazel, George & Vivian Frazee


E. Earl Lenth (Fran's father)
Aunt Pauline Sessions nee Wiest
Sister of Grandma Frazee
At Bob and Fran Frazee's
Wedding, July 18, 1964

Obituary for Elizabeth Frazee

Services were held Monday afternoon at the Methodist church in Olivia for Mrs. Elizabeth Frazee, who died at the Olivia Nursing Home Oct. 12 following an illness of three years. Death was due to a stroke and resulting complications.

Mrs. Elizabeth Frazee (Weist) was born at Leola, S.D. on May 17, 1886. She was married to Oliver Frazee at Frederick, S.D. in 1904. They lived on a farm near Olivia from 1918 to 1934, when they moved to Olivia. Mr. Frazee died in 1955.

Deceased is survived by five children, Russell of Bird Island, Donald and George of Olivia and Hazel Bjerke and Vivian Boozier of Minneapolis. Other survivors are 11 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs Pauline Sessions of Madison, S.D. and Mrs Martha Tamblyn of Miller, S.D. and one brother, Emil Weist of Canby.

Among those from a distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Latham and son Steve of Bowman, N.D. Mr. Latham lived at the Frazee home during his boyhood days. Others attending were Mr. and Mrs. Emil Weist of Canby; Mrs. Pauline Sessions, Madison, S.D.; Mrs Ruth Hopps, Mrs. Virginia Schemp and Vivian Hyndman, Minneapolis; and Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kirkpatrick, Cokato.

http:home.comcast.net/~rmfz2/robert.htm

Some of the best memories are those which are triggered by some insignificant event which may happen today. It may be a smell, a sound, a taste, or a comment made by someone else which brings back a rush of memories of an event which took place in your childhood. I remember a couple of years ago (1995 maybe) being in a small town in northern Minnesota in the fall. I caught the smell of burning leaves. Ah, what memories it brought back of growing up in Bird Island. Burning leaves on the curb or in the back yard is now prohibited in most places but was common "in the old days." We all have these memories and the purpose of this section is to share them - maybe a comment made here will trigger a fond memory of your own.

Contributions by Bob Frazee

Things I remember growing up:

Lutefisk anyone? As you have seen from above, my dad, Russell L. Frazee, held the longest record for being elected as County Attorney as anyone in the entire state. The prevalence of Lutheran churches is important to this story. Renville county is a rural area with lots of farmers of Norwegian and Swedish heritage. For a Norwegian to marry a Swede was often referred to as "mixed marriage". They could be good friends but when it came to religion they each had their own Lutheran churches. Small congregations, with churches to match, would dot the rural countryside. Each township would have at least one, if not two Lutheran churches. It wasn't like that for the Methodists or Catholics. The Frazee family was Methodist and, as I think back, that might be because this was "neutral ground" for everyone else. The only time I remember my father ever actively campaigning for County Attorney was in the late fall when each of the Lutheran Churches would have a Lutefisk dinner as a fund raiser. It seems like between Thanksgiving and Christmas there would be at least two every weekend. These dinners provided Dad with a great opportunity to campaign in the rural areas because there would be a large number of farmers gathered together in a small space for a short period. I don't remember how old I was but I started accompanying Dad to these dinners and in doing so developed a real taste for Lutefisk smothered in butter and Lefse, lightly buttered and sprinkled with a generous portion of sugar before it was rolled up for eating. As it became closer to Christmas the dinner fare would also include many of those hard to make Norwegian and Swedish cookies. Dad would go around and shake hands and visit and I don't remember if he ever ate any of the fish. This was such an important part of Dad's campaign that I remember one year a Lutefisk dinner was scheduled in Franklin, MN, on a Friday night. Dad and I drove through a snowstorm to attend the dinner. On the door of the church was a sign, "Lutefisk dinner postponed because of the snow. It will be held on Saturday night." We got back into the car, drove home to Bird Island about 20 miles away, and made the return trip on Saturday night for Lutefisk.

My Mother and Father were married twice. Dad had met Mom when he was going to law school in Minneapolis. Upon graduation he returned to Bird Island to start his practice. He decided to run for country attorney but he was quick to learn that as a single man his chances of winning the election were diminished. So he proposed to Mom and they went out to Bird Island and got married. Joe and Laurene Sester were at the wedding. Grandma and Grandpa Knudson, in Minneapolis, were never told about the marriage. After Dad had won the election and he was sworn in as the Renville County Attorney he and Mom had a second wedding in Minneapolis which was attended by the Knudson family and friends. The wedding picture seen above was not discovered until after both Mom and Dad had died and it has Mom's best friend as her maid of honor but no one knows her name because no one knew about it.

TV in mid 50's not common in rural Minnesota and Bird Island was no exception. Programming was limited - the stations would sign off with the national anthem at midnight. Reception was fair to bad but it was an improvement over radio. Grandpa and Grandma Frazee lived in Olivia and they would come to the Bird Island Frazee's home every Friday night to watch wrestling on TV. Grandpa Frazee, "The Boss" loved to watch one particular wrestler, "Farmer Marlin and his educated feet". Grandpa sat glued to his chair in front of the TV and would scream and shout at the wrestlers as they slammed each other to the ground or impose "the sleeper hold". No one dared to tell Grandpa that it was all fake. After the matches were over it was not uncommon for Jeanette to prepare a snack and Grandpa always wanted "milk toast".

As long as I can remember, my dad, Russell always wore glasses but for the rest of the family having the need for glasses came late in life. Donald, being the second oldest was the first one to buy a pair of "reading glasses". You couldn't get glasses in the local drug store or grocery stores at that time. They had to be specially ordered and were not cheap. Accordingly it was not unheard of for everyone to "make do." When Donald, Wilma, and Jeanette gathered together in the living room it was not uncommon for Jeanette to say, "Donald, pass the glasses" when she wanted to read the TV guide. The only set of glasses would be passed around from person to person as they wanted to read the newspaper, TV guide, or the latest farm magazine.

John Denver's song, "The Old Feather Bed" stirs a particular warm memory for me. Donald and Wilma had a comfortable, but small, farm house. It was not long on amenities to which we have become accustom. There was a large master bedroom and Betty had a small bedroom which was closed off with a curtain for privacy. There was an "upstairs" but to my recollection, until after I was married, no one ever used the upstairs bedrooms. I think it was because of the limited output of the oil furnace in the basement. But we had something better; the largest softest most comfortable feather bed in the world which Wilma had made. I don't remember ever sleeping with a "piggy we stole from the shed" but my head swarms with memories of the feather bed being hauled from the closet and spread out on the living room floor where I fell off to sleep with my brothers Terry and Jimmy.

Russell and Donald's favorate story was to talk about growing up as poor country kids on the farm and wanting rubber to make sling shots. Automobiles were not common and paths used by mules pulling wagons filled with farm produce left deep ruts. Gravel roads were not very common and the horse less carriage had to made its way using these same routes. Russell and Donald would take a board and after pounding some long nails through the board would be statically placed in a deep rut and covered with dirt or mud. Eventually a car would hit the board causing a flat tire. The tire would be replaced on the spot and the old inner tube discarded only to be salvaged by Russell and Donald thus providing a new source of materials for their sling shots. I don't know how true it was, or how many times it might have happened before Grandpa caught them and surely would have given them a "talking to" behind the woodshed, but Russell and Donald never tired of telling the story.

Grandma Frazee was the bread maker. Grandma and Grandpa Frazee lived in Olivia only 5 miles from Bird Island so we would visit them often. It was not uncommon to come to Grandma's house when she was baking bread in a wood burning stove. She made the best bread and the whole house smelled like a bakery. She would have loaves of hot bread sitting on the kitchen selves cooling. When we arrived she would take out a fresh loaf, slice very thick pieces of bread and cover them with butter. We were then allowed to add sugar on top of the butter. Hot buttered bread covered with sugar is the best treat for a small boy - much better than anything the bakery can make today.

As a small boy of 5 or 6 I idealized Grandpa Frazee and believed every word he said. One day he told me about what it was like growing up on the farm with no one to play with. When he wanted to play baseball he had to be the whole team and very fast. He told me that he could pitch the softball, run up to home plate, grab the bat and hit the ball into the field. He then ran out into the field to catch the ball and was able to throw himself out at first base. Grandpa was without question the first superman.

My dad, Russell smoked cigars; the real "expensive ones - Dutch Masters". My mother's father, Grandpa Knudson, and her brother, Howard, also smoked cigars. When Mom's family drove out to Bird Island for a visit Dad would give me a dollar and tell me to go to the store and get four cigars - 25 cents each (no sales taxes back then). I would bring them home and the three men would light up. It was not long before the living room was filled with the blue smoke of cigars. To this day, whenever I smell a cigar I smell joy and remember those visits by Grandma and Grandpa and Howard Knudson in Bird Island.

Grandma and Grandpa Knudson had a cabin on Big Lake, west of Minneapolis. It was a rustic place with no running water, just a cold water pump in the kitchen, which means there was no toilet, just an outhouse in the back. There was a large eating area with a long table, a small bedroom for Grandma and Grandpa, and a large screened in porch with lots of couches which served as beds for everyone else. Because the porch only had screens every night they had to be covered with plywood in the event of rain.

    We had two, maybe three, favorite past times: playing croquet, fishing, swimming, and the plague.

  • Playing Croquet: It isn't a strenuous sport but took a great deal of skill hitting the round colored ball around a backyard which was mostly like playing in a sand trap. Everyone played, Grandma, Grandpa, Howard, Mom, Dad, Terry, Bobby, Jimmy, Shannon and Tommy. Young and old were able to play together at the same game. When we couldn't go swimming we headed to the back yard to play croquet.
  • Fishing: Grandpa had a small wooden flat bottom fishing boat with long oars. He owned a 2 horsepower motor but hardly ever used it. Big Lake, unlike its name, is quite small. We could row the boat anywhere. Fishing for sunfish with drop lines, or perhaps a long bamboo pool was really the thing. With a drop line you could feel the fish nibbling on your worm. Bluegill sunfish were pretty and plentiful. When I went fishing with Grandpa and it started to rain we had nothing remotely resembling a rain jacket or rain suit. You just sat and got wet. I remember Grandpa always reassuring me that it would stop raining when you could see a patch of blue sky the size of a pair of Dutchman's pants - these were the large balloon pants that everyone recognized in those days. So it couldn't be a small patch of blue sky, it had to be big enough to make a pair of Dutchmen's pants. To this day, in 2010, when I am out riding on my motorcycle that is still my yardstick of telling if the rain will stop. Right next to the outhouse Grandpa had built a screened in fish cleaning station. As we cleaned the fish a billion flies would swarm around the fish scales. of course we all knew the flies just came over from the outhouse next door. Between the fish cleaning house and the outhouse this area didn't always smell the best. Maybe I shouldn't say any more. .
  • Swimming: The third favorate activity at Big Lake was swimming. Our parents had a rule, "You can't go swimming until one hour after you eat otherwise you will get the stomach cramps and drown." It seemed reasonable at the time and he faithfully abided by the rule. Now I wonder if the reason for the admonition was that it gave the adults some time to clear the table and do the dishes before they had to escort us to the beach and serve lifeguard duty. I remember we would go down to the lake and wait for that long hour to pass - challenging the rule little by little as we would first wade into the water ankle deep to see if anything happened. The next thing you know we were knee deep and then up to our stomachs. No one ever got the cramps or died.
  • The Itch: What we did get, though, was "the itch". No one knew what it was but during certain times of the year going swimming in Big Lake would cause the swimmer to break out into the worst case of "the itch". It was like mosquito bites without the mosquitos. The only cure was to put that gosh awful pink calamine lotion over the whole body and stay out of the water. For a bunch of kids just waiting the whole summer to go to Grandma's cabin this was a sentence worse than death. Many years later it was discovered that "the itch" was caused by some small parasite in the water which burrowed under the skin to lay their eggs.

J.D. was someone different to everyone. Raised by Oliver and Elizabeth Frazee of Olivia, MN, he was more of a son than grandchild. J.D. worked side by side with Donald Frazee on his farm and was like a son to Donald and Wilma Frazee. To my father, Russell Frazee, he was more like a brother. To me, he was an uncle. I remember when Grandma Frazee died and the funeral director was telling people how to line up he said the children should follow behind the hearse and then the grandchildren. J.D. said to me, "I don't know where I am suppose to line up." At the time it was clear to me that J.D. lined up with the children, Russell, Donald, George, Hazel, and Vivian. I guess it pointed out his confusion of a family identity. I know one thing, if I could be anyone in the family I would want to be J.D. because he was liked by everyone.

When I was in the 4th Armored Division stationed in Germany J.D. Latham told me that he had also served in Germany during WWII. He told me about having been in the signal corps and at one time his post was a castle outside Bamberg, Germany. Castles were great for the signal corp because they were well protected and usually high on a mountain which meant the radio signals could be sent a long way. I do recall him mentioning that he was present when Dauchau, the Jewish concentration camp near Munich, German, was liberated - or shortly thereafter. J.D. also told me that not having a real first name caused all sorts or problems with the army. It couldn't stand to have someone with only initials for a first name. Accordingly his army records all list him as Jay Dee Frazee. The army hadn't changed much from the time of his discharge until my enlistment in 1966.

Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Knudson in Minneapolis was always a big event. Since they only had one bedroom the grandchildren would sleep on the floor of the living room. Grandpa had a large mantel clock which bonged on the hour and went "tick tock" all night long. I remember waking up at night and listening to the "tick tock" and the warmth and security I felt at Grandpa's house. To this day the sound of a clock ticking brings back all sorts of memories of Grandma and Grandpa Knudson.

Remember polio? When I was in grade school Bird Island didn't have any curbs and gutters or storm sewers. Instead there was a ditch on each side of the gravel streets to carry away the rain water. Some ditches were deeper than others and when it rained hard the ditches at the bottom of the hills would fill with water and we could go swimming - or at least splish splash in the water. We would put on our swimming suits and go out and play in the rain. But every summer the time came when polio would show up. No one knew what caused it or how to prevent it but it seemed like everyone knew someone who had contracted the disease or, even worse, was in an "iron lung." When polio season showed up he were no longer allowed to swim in the ditches during the rain storms.

I remember one time J.D. Latham telling the story about growing up in the small home in Olivia with Grandpa and Grandma Frazee. His bedroom was upstairs. As a teenager he would sneak out at night by crawling out his window. Coming home created a different sort of problem because there was no way to get back in through that same window. Often the only open window was in the bedroom where Grandma and Grandpa's were sound asleep. He remembered how careful he was when he crawled back into the bedroom. He didn't know how he managed to do it so many times without getting caught.

After I was discharged from the army and moved back to Minneapolis I bought a Goldwing motorcycle. I loved riding to the Black Hills every year to go to the Harley rally in Sturges. I always drove out Hwy 212, the Yellowstone Highway as it was known, through Bird Island and Olivia. Donald, Wilma, George and Bertie Mae made it a habit of going to the restaurant/gas station on the west end of town for breakfast. They would sit and watch the motorcycles heading west and I would stop and have breakfast with them. They loved to show off my bike to their friends in the restaurant.

Marlin Boozier, Vivian Frazee's husband, worked at the Pillsbury Flour mill in Minneapolis. I don't know exactly what he did but it had something to do with the development of the flour for baking purposes. I remember that when he used to come to Bird Island or Olivia for a visit he would bring a sack full of the best hard rolls you can imagine. The sack was the size of 100 pound flour sack. The hard crusted rolls spread with butter and strawberry jam were almost as good, but not quite, as the home made bread made by Grandma Frazee.

Contributions by Jim Frazee

Things I remember growing up.

Things I remember about Donald and Wilma. I remember how as a child we liked to go out to the farm and climb up into the hay barn and make forts out of the bales of hay and have wars. We also had a rope that we would tie to the rafters and swing from one side to the other. I also remember building the tree house out in the grove that was nothing more some boards nailed between two branches. But as a child it was a castle. And then there were the winter days when we would walk down to the ditch, put on our ice skates and skate up and down the creek, going as far as the Schimelpfenigs. I remember the large weeping willow in the front yard where you could hide in the branches, and the lilac bushes that smelled so good in the spring. I remember talking to Wilma once and she told me that for the first 6 months after she and Donald were married they lived in a tent until the house was ready.

I remember grandma and grandpa Frazee and the little house that they lived in and raised 6 kids, on 20 acres of land. Grandpa also farmed his entire life with 2 mules that he kept in the barn across the road from the house. That farm is now covered with homes. As mentioned earlier I remember the wood stove that Grandma cooked on. Most of all I remember the white gravy that she made and we would have it over bread. I have tried to reproduce this white gravy many times and have never been able to come close to the taste she was able to get. I never remember grandpa wearing anything but bib overalls and of course grandma always wore a dress, never slacks.

I remember the Knudson’s in Minneapolis. How the 7 of us would crawl into the car and drive there for Thanksgiving and again on Christmas day. How we all sat around in the "front room" while Grandpa, Howard and Dad smoked their Dutch Master Cigars. Then in the evening would all move to the back porch where there was a swing that we would retreat to after dinner. I also remember that the Knudson had the same dining room set that mom and dad had. I remember that when Grandma moved to South Minneapolis after grandpa's death that she would go to bed about 5:00 and get up very early. There wasn't much for her to do to keep her occupied. I remember going to her house at Halloween one time and she already had the dining table set for Thanksgiving with pickles already on the table.

Then there was Big Lake. How we enjoyed going out there. Every time we went were given a quarter to go down to the "little store" and buy something. How we looked forward to that. I also remember that the refrigerator at the lake was really an "ice box". An ice truck would deliver a block of ice or we would drive to Monticello to pick it up. That would be used to keep everything cold and we had to keep emptying the water from a pan underneath. And the small kitchen that was just big enough for one person. And we all slept on old metal beds on the porch. And there was no bathroom but we had a two holer out back. And don't forget the fishing house right next to it where you would go to scale all the fish after you caught them and have them for dinner. I went back to Big Lake in 2009 and the cabin is still there. No one lives there, but it still stands as I remember it.

Contributions by Shannon Welch nee Frazee

Things I remember growing up.

Grandma and Grandpa Knudson living at 2402 12th Ave. South, Minneapolis, MN, on the second floor above a MOM and POP store. Uncle Howard (Knudson- Mom's brother) drove for American Fruit and Produce. I remember the only time I got banana's was when he would drop them off at Grandma Knudson's apartment when he knew we would be there. Mom would tell us, "Banana's were too expensive in Bird Island for a family of seven." Bob remembers that his route sometimes took him to western Minnesota which included Granite Falls which means he had to drive through Bird Island. From time to time he would stop and drop off some fresh fruit. Bob remembers him dropping off watermelon - his favorate.

The second floor apartment in Minneapolis where Mom grew up had only one bedroom for four people. Howard slept on the back, an unheated, porch, and Mom's bedroom was a walk-in closet.

I have a picture of Grandpa Knudson on his retirement day from Honeywell. He got a portable radio and has such a large smile on his face. He intended to retire at 65 but his foreman told him not to voluntarily retire but wait for Honeywell to fire him because it had a mandatory retirement age of 65. This way he could draw unemployment for several months in addition to his retirement pension. I don't know for sure what he did at Honeywell but it had to do with building thermostats.

Grandma Knudson was employed as a cook in an elementary school not to far from where they lived.

Grandma & Grandpa Knudson had a cabin on Big Lake. In the kitchen they didn't have a refrigerator, they had an "ice box". This means they had an old fashion wooden box that held a block of ice on the top and the cold from the melting ice cooled the food in the box below. You couldn't get ice in Big Lake, the town was too small so we had to drive to Monticello to get ice every two or three days.

We always went to Grandma Knudson's for Thanksgiving. Grandma cooked on a wood burning stove but she owned an electric broiler which was used only to cook the Thanksgiving turkey - which she bought fresh, no frozen foods in those days. They always bought special ice cream from Bridgeman's for dessert which was kept frozen on the back porch in a box filled with dry ice. I remember the treat of going downtown Minneapolis on Thanksgiving Day to look in Dayton's store windows decorated for Christmas.

Whenever Mom and Dad went to Minneapolis he would always pick up Chow Mien from the Nankin and drive it back to Bird Island - a two hour plus drive - for us to enjoy. It was such a treat and they never let us down. No one got sick from food poisoning.

Playing at Donald and Wilma Frazee's farm in the grove and ice skating on the drainage ditch north of the farm that went for miles. For warmth on cold days we would build a fire from the fallen tree branches that grew along the ditch bank.

Taking a bath at Donald and Wilma's house with no bath tub. They had no running water and only cold water was obtained from a hand pump over the kitchen sink. A big metal tub was placed in the middle of the kitchen floor and the water heated by Wilma on the stove. Donald got to get in first and the rest of us used the same water until the last of us was clean. We survived.

J.D. Latham lived in North Dakota and whenever he would come to Oliva he would "smuggle" in colored oleo margarine since it was illegal to sell it in Minnesota. At that time the dairy industry was successfully fighting the sale of "imitation butter" in Minnesota. Eventually we could buy white oleo in a plastic bag which contained a small color button which could be squeezed to color the oleo yellow.

I remember the weekend in November, 1963, that Mom, Dad, Donald and Wilma drove to North Dakota to visit J.D. and Margery - leaving Tom and me home alone for the first time. It was over Thanksgiving weekend - the weekend President Kennedy was shot. We thought there would be war. Dad called and said they started home immediately but couldn't get far as there were no gas stations open. They had to stop at each town where they needed gas and find the owner to let them fill up the tank. It was a long two days for Tom and me.

George and Bertie Mae Frazee had three, that I know of, black little Mexican Chihuahua dogs all named Bubbles. George Frazee was not part of our early lives because he was hospitalized for many years in the sanitarium in Granite Falls with TB. It was diagnosed shortly after his marriage to Bertie Mae. She worked in Olivia and every Friday after work she would drive to Granite Falls to visit George over the weekend. She couldn't afford a hotel room so she slept in the car. It was sad when he took his own life due to depression.

I remember cutting weeds in Grandpa Frazee's farm in Olivia with a scythe, hoeing sugar beets for a dollar a row, and de-tasselling corn for the seed company. We were a strong bunch.

Contributions by Betty Magnuson nee Frazee

Things I remember growing up:

One of my fondest memories is of all the Christmas Eves at Russell and Jeanette homes with the Frazee and Hyndman families. We would all gather, eat, open presents, and what a wonderful time we had. Russell had an 8 mm movie camera and he filmed a lot of those holidays and family events. Bob has placed the movies on DVD's so they could be shared with everyone in the family.

Grandpa Frazee in his chair watching TV and teaching his parakeet to talk while Grandma Frazee was in the kitchen baking bread. I, too, remember eating homemade bread with butter and sugar. This was a favorite of J.D.'s.

J.D. lived with us when he was older and I was very young but I loved him dearly as my big brother. His nickname for me was "Half Pint" and I have a picture of a little me sitting on his shoulders in front of our farm house. My mother told me that she was with Gladys when J.D. was born.

I remember the many trips we made to visit Uncle George at the sanitarium at Granite Falls. I was not able to see him so had to wait in the car or outside on the grassy area. George was a barber in Olivia after he was cured of TB and before he got the job as bookkeeper. He gave Michael his first haircut and poor Uncle George felt so bad because Michael cried.

Bertie Mae and Mother were best friends and it was so nice for both of them the years after my dad and George passed away. They met once a week at Dairy Queen in Olivia for lunch.

Toby played the saxophone in a well known band in the Twin Cities. I invited his band to play at my college sorority spring dance and I was so proud to say he was my uncle. He loved his music and so enjoyed playing. I remember staying with my folks at Hazel and Toby's when they lived on Stevens Ave and enjoying dinner many times at their Clinton Ave house.

I remember having some fun times with Marlin and Vivian. One adventure we enjoyed together was a train trip to Los Angeles to watch the Minnesota Gophers play in the Rose Bowl in 1960.

Family dinners always included potatoes and gravy but not for J.D. who would only eat gravy on bread. I smile as I write this with a lump in my throat as I remember how he used to tell us we were all wrong to put gravy on our potatoes!!

Contributions by Linda Hanely nee Latham

Things I remember growing up.

I remember both of your parents [Russell & Jeanette Frazee]. I was terrified of your father and remember him sitting in his chair smoking (a pipe? a cigar?) I just remember it was stinky. I adored your mother and remember her as having a big chest (not sure if this was true). I also swear that one summer Jim had bugs in the fridge as part of his college work and I was so impressed that Jeanette let him keep them in her fridge.

Jump Station

I want the information about the people and dates in these photographs to be accurate
so if you have any suggested corrections let let me know. Bob Frazee

(Editor's note, if you have any photographs you wish to contribute just let me know, I can always add more.:)


This page was created by Bob "Belli" Frazee

Bob at Grand Tetons, 2015
Belli at the Grand Titons, June 2015


If you have any questions, or corrections, just write to Belli.

Have a good day and come back again.

Since 6 July 2010, you are visitor number