Ernest Benjamin Gillis Family History

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Della Mae Edwards[1, 2, 3, 4]

Female 1895 - 1983  (87 years)


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  • Name Della Mae Edwards  [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11] 
    Born 23 Oct 1895  Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] 
    Gender Female 
    Residence Snohomish Find all individuals with events at this location  [10] 
    Residence 1910  Sioux Ward 5, Woodbury, Iowa Find all individuals with events at this location  [9] 
    Residence 1920  Monroe, Lyon, Minnesota Find all individuals with events at this location  [8] 
    Residence 1930  Rock Lake, Lyon, Minnesota Find all individuals with events at this location  [7] 
    _UID E2BFAAF510C94698BC97FC2D1C934A61CD6D 
    Died 1 May 1983  Snohomish, Snohomish, Washington, United States Of America Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 6, 10, 11, 12] 
    Buried Redmond, King, Washington, United States Of America Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I8  Ernest Benjamin Gillis
    Last Modified 2 Sep 2018 

    Father Edward Edwards,   b. 19 Oct 1856, Brock, Ontario, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Sep 1932, Sioux City, Woodbury, Iowa, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years) 
    Mother Agnes M. Jardine,   b. 16 Nov 1857, Hamilton City, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 28 Nov 1928, Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 71 years) 
    Married 1878  Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 13] 
    • After marrying Edward Edwards, Agnes and Edwards lived on a farm near Batavia, New York; then, to Washington, D.C., then Sioux City, Iowa; Jasper, and Tracy, Minnesota, then back to Sioux City. Edward was a teamster. [5]
    Family ID F64  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Ernest Benjamin Gillis,   b. 11 Jul 1888, South Royalton, Windsor, Vermont, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Mar 1976, Redmond, King, Washington, United States Of America Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 87 years) 
    Married 16 Jul 1914  Walnut Grove, Redwood, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5, 6, 12] 
    • Ernest Benjamin Gillis was born on 11 Jul 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont. He died on 13 Mar 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. Ernest was the son of the Reverend William McNab Gillis and Mary Elizabeth Codville. He was one of five children ? two boys (Ernest and William Hillery) and three girls (Winifred Martha, May Gertrude, and Edith Mabel).

      Photo of Ernest
      Ernest as a young boy
      At age of 3, his family moved from Vermont to Minnesota, where they lived in the town of Plainview for 5 years, then Pine Island 6 years, Fairmont 2 years, and Rushmore 1 year. The family moved often because Ernest's father, William McNab Gillis, was a Methodist Episcopal minister, and as such, would be assigned different churches.

      Photo of Ernest
      Ernest as a young adult
      Ernest began attending Worthington High School when he was a junior and graduated from there. All his life, he loved the land and working with soil, tending crops and growing things. Ernest enrolled in the University of Minnesota Farm School to became a farmer. After graduation, in the spring of 1908, he rented and farmed the old Andrew Clay Farm northeast of Amiret, Minnesota.

      Photo of Ernest
      Della and Ernest
      shortly after their wedding
      In the spring of 1911, Ernest moved south of Amiret to a half-section that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time. They married in 1914 on July 16th, and the ceremony was performed by Ernest's father, William, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota, in William's home.

      Photo of Ernest
      Ernie and Della's first farm
      Della was born on 23 Oct 1895 in Sioux City, Iowa, and died at her youngest daughter's home 01 May 1983 in Snohomish, Washington. Della was the daughter of Edward Edwards, a teamster, and Agnes Elizabeth Jardine.

      Photo of Ernest
      Grace and Neil in front of new house
      In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy, MN. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. Later in March 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

      Photo of Ernest
      Ernest holding Grace
      Then in the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State, making a major change in his life and that of Della and the remaining children at home. He successfully found work out West thanks in part to the War effort and the many jobs in the Seattle area (such as the Boeing plant - aircraft construction etc.); and while there, he right away bought 5 acres of land in the town of Alderwood Manor, Washington, some 15 miles north of Seattle off Highway 99. He (of course) started fruit orchards, gardens, and began some farming while building a new home for his family. By this time, Ernest and Della had had 11 wonderful children, four of whom were still living at home and in July 1943, Della and their four girls who were still at home joined him via a long train trip. Once they arrived together in Alderwood Manor, the family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

      Photo of Ernest
      Ernest and Della, in MN
      Later on, in 1966 at age 78, Ernest completed a second home on the Alderwood Manor property, adjacent to the first home. He and Della moved into it and rented out the first one. This accomplishment of building a home at a somewhat advanced age -- much of it by his own hands -- speaks to the industriousness and tenacity of Ernest and his work ethic.

      Photo of Ernest
      Ernest and Della's 25th Anniversary
      House in Balaton, MN
      Over the years, Ernest and Della's home was often the site of many large family picnics and parties. Several of their younger childrens' weddings were held in their home. Many of their numerous grandchildren - some 56 total - can vividly recall spending days and days in the fields, climbing trees and eating fruit from the trees growing all over on the land. Their home was a wonderful place of gathering and family, a tradition not lost on their descendants.

      When Ernest was unable to keep up the land and home by himself in the 1970s, both the homes and land were sold, and he and Della then lived with family members. While Ernest eventually had to be cared for in a nursing home until his death in 1976, Della was fortunate in being able to live with her daughters in the Seattle area until her death in 1983. Both Ernest and Della are still missed to this day and are fondly remembered by all. [6, 12]
    Ernest & Della Gillis    		 Ernest & Della Gillis
    http://www.ernestbenjamingillis.com
    Ernest & Della Gillis in MN    		 Ernest & Della Gillis in MN
    Children 
     1. Grace May Gillis,   b. 30 Mar 1915, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 10 Jul 1988, Minneapolis, Hennepin, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 73 years)
     2. William Neil Gillis,   b. 19 Jul 1916, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 May 2013, Osakis, Douglas, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 96 years)
     3. Mildred Elaine Gillis,   b. 18 Feb 1918, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Jan 2016, West Seattle, WA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 97 years)
     4. Della Marian Gillis,   b. 29 Jan 1920, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 9 Jun 2017, Redmond, King, Washington, United States Of America Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 97 years)
     5. Marjorie Coline Gillis,   b. 14 May 1921, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 26 Jul 2006, Bremerton, Kitsap, Washington, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years)
     6. Robert Ernest Gillis,   b. 31 Aug 1923, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 6 Jul 1994, Ada, Norman, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 70 years)
     7. Elizabeth Jean Gillis,   b. 18 Apr 1925, Tracy, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 May 2011, Everett, Snohomish, Washington, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 86 years)
     8. Phyllis Erma Gillis,   b. 23 Jul 1926, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 25 Sep 1992, Maltby, Snohomish, Washington, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 66 years)
     9. Mary Louise Gillis,   b. 18 Apr 1929, Balaton, Lyon, Minnesota, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1981, Portland, Multnomah, Oregon, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 51 years)
     10. Living
     11. Living
    Last Modified 26 May 2014 
    Family ID F4  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
    Ernest, Della, Marian    		Ernest, Della, Marian
    DellaEdwardsformal.jpg    		DellaEdwardsformal.jpg

  • Notes 
    • Della May Edwards was born 10/23/1895 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Edward Edwards and Agnes Jardine Edwards. As a young girl, she followed her older borthers and sisters to school (at a distance) when she was too young to start until the teacher finally agreed to let her stay -- which speaks of her love of reading and finding out about the world which lasted all of her life.
      Della married Ernest Benjamin Gillis on 7/16/1914 in a ceremony was performed by Ernest's father William, a Methodist-Episcopal minister, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Della was 18. She loved to play softball and was a "good pitcher and a fast runner".

      Ernest was born on July 11, 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont and died on March 13, 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. In the spring of 1911, Ernest had moved south of Amiret to a half-section of land, that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time.

      In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. In March, 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.

      In the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State. He bought 5 acres in Alderwood Manor, Washington and started orchards and some farming while building a home. In July 1943, Della and their four girls still at home joined him via train. The family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

      Della and Ernest parented 11 children, 9 girls and 2 boys, all of whom lived to maturity, presenting them with 52 grandchildren and 57 greatgrandchildren at the time of Della's death.

      Ernie died in 1976 and Della lived then in the homes of daughters where she was found to be a most gracious and pleasant houseguest, reading books, working crossword puzzles, ever ready to play a game, and writing letters to children and grandchildren scattered from Minnesota to Virginia, from California, Oregon, England, and Florida. Her correspondence eagerly shared by all the local families kept this large family well acquainted with each other.

      "Things We Remember About Our Mother"
      "Many happy thoughts come to mind about Della - the delicious odors from her kitchen as she plied her trade as a fantastic cook; fresh baked bread, pies, hot dishes of all kinds, all served in the most attractive fashion. Christmas with its special joys; long talks - quiet and supportive; sweing spring dresses, bringing special dishes to tempt the appetite when we were sick; bathing the tiny baby while we watched; giving us the courage and strength to live our lives independently."

      Della died 5/1/1983. [6]
    • (Research):Della May Edwards was born 10/23/1895 in Sioux City, Iowa, the daughter of Edward Edwards and Agnes Jardine Edwards. As a young girl, she followed her older borthers and sisters to school (at a distance) when she was too young to start until the teacher finally agreed to let her stay -- which speaks of her love of reading and finding out about the world which lasted all of her life.

      Della married Ernest Benjamin Gillis on 7/16/1914 in a ceremony was performed by Ernest's father William, a Methodist-Episcopal minister, in Walnut Grove, Minnesota. Della was 18. She loved to play softball and was a "good pitcher and a fast runner".

      Ernest was born on July 11, 1888 in South Royalton, Vermont and died on March 13, 1976 in Kirkland, Washington. In the spring of 1911, Ernest had moved south of Amiret to a half-section of land, that he farmed as a bachelor until he married Della May Edwards. Della was helping in a store in Amiret at the time.

      In the spring of 1924, Ernest and Della moved to a farm south of Tracy. That fall they moved to the Kyle Farm, north of Tracy. In the spring of 1925, they rented the Curtis Farm. In March, 1926, they moved to Balaton, Minnesota, where they remained the next 17 years.
      Photo of Ernest
      Della as a young adult

      Then, in the fall of 1942, Ernest moved to Washington State. He bought 5 acres in Alderwood Manor, Washington and started orchards and some farming while building a home. In July 1943, Della and their four girls still at home joined him via train. The family lived in a cabin until the new home was ready for them to occupy.

      "Things We Remember About Our Mother"

      "Della and Ernest parented 11 children, 9 girls and 2 boys, all of whom lived to maturity, presenting them with 52 grandchildren and 57 greatgrandchildren at the time of Della's death.

      Ernie died in 1976 and Della lived then in the homes of daughters where she was found to be a most gracious and pleasant houseguest, reading books, working crossword puzzles, ever ready to play a game, and writing letters to children and grandchildren scattered from Minnesota to Virginia, from California, Oregon, England, and Florida. Her correspondence eagerly shared by all the local families kept this large family well acquainted with each other.

      Many happy thoughts come to mind about Della - the delicious odors from her kitchen as she plied her trade as a fantastic cook; fresh baked bread, pies, hot dishes of all kinds, all served in the most attractive fashion. Christmas with its special joys; long talks - quiet and supportive; sweing spring dresses, bringing special dishes to tempt the appetite when we were sick; bathing the tiny baby while we watched; giving us the courage and strength to live our lives independently."

      Della died 5/1/1983. [12]

  • Sources 
    1. [S92] Marchand GEDCOM 2009, compiled by Frederick J Marchand.

    2. [S112] Rogers: 2009 Gillis GEDCOM, compiled by Peter Rogers.

    3. [S162] Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Trees (Reliability: 3).
      http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=26120745&pid=1782402650

    4. [S162] Ancestry Family Trees, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry Family Trees (Reliability: 3).
      http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=26120745&pid=1785376748

    5. [S2] Jim Marchand Gillis GEDCOM, compiled by F. J. Marchand [(E-ADDRESS) FOR PRIVATE USE\,].

    6. [S68] P. Rogers GEDCOM, compiled by Peter Rogers [(E-ADDRESS) FOR PRIVATE USE\,].

    7. [S164] 1930 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626,), 1,6224::0., Year: 1930; Census Place: Rock Lake, Lyon, Minnesota; Roll: 1105; Page: 5A; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 153.0. (Reliability: 3).
      Birth date: abt 1896Birth place: Residence date: 1930Residence place: Rock Lake, Lyon, Minnesota
      http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1930usfedcen&h=79148219&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

    8. [S163] 1920 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.Original data - Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Reco), 1,6061::0., Year: 1920; Census Place: Monroe, Lyon, Minnesota; Roll: T625_843; Page: 1B; Enumeration District: 102; Image: . (Reliability: 3).
      Birth date: abt 1896Birth place: MinnesotaResidence date: 1920Residence place: Monroe, Lyon, Minnesota
      http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1920usfedcen&h=47515350&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

    9. [S165] 1910 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.Original data - Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Was), 1,7884::0., Year: 1910; Census Place: Sioux Ward 5, Woodbury, Iowa; Roll: ; Page: ; Enumeration District: ; Image: . (Reliability: 3).
      Birth date: 1896Birth place: IowaResidence date: 1910Residence place: Sioux Ward 5, Woodbury, Iowa
      http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1910uscenindex&h=132455293&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

    10. [S203] Washington Death Index, 1940-1996, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002.Original data - Washington State Department of Health. State Death Records Index, 1940-1996. Microfilm. Washington State Archives, Olympia, Washington.Original data: Washington State De), 1,6716::0. (Reliability: 3).
      Birth date: abt 1896Birth place: Death date: 1 May 1983Death place: SnohomishResidence date: Residence place: Snohomish
      http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=washingtondeathindex&h=339567&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

    11. [S205] Social Security Death Index, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.Original data - Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Social Security Administration.Original data: Social Security Administration. Social Security D), 1,3693::0., Number: 536-68-3635; Issue State: Washington; Issue Date: 1973. (Reliability: 3).
      Birth date: 23 Oct 1895Birth place: Death date: May 1983Death place: Snohomish, Snohomish, Washington, United States of America
      http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=ssdi&h=22287222&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

    12. [S89] Ernest Benjamin Gillis Family, Fred Marchand, (http://www.ernestbenjamingillis.com/index.html).

    13. [S161] 1900 United States Federal Census, Ancestry.com, (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.Original data - United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 18), 1,7602::0., Year: 1900; Census Place: Alliance, Moody, South Dakota; Roll: T623_1553; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 269. (Reliability: 3).
      Birth date: Oct 1853Birth place: CanadaMarriage date: 1878Marriage place: Residence date: 1900Residence place: Alliance, Blinsmon & Enterprise Townships, Moody, South DakotaArrival date: 1859Arrival place:
      http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=1900usfedcen&h=69759146&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt


 

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