The History of Howard Clinton Wessner
Howard was born in Reading, Pennsylvania on February 25, 1895. He was of Pennsylvania Dutch stock. His early German ancestors came to Pennsylvania in the mid 1700’s. He was the oldest son of five. He moved to Oregon as a young man to start a new life. He could speak German, especially when he was upset. He went to live with his grandparents at 10 to help them with their chores.
He was a head millwright (mechanic) at the mill in Wesfir, Oregon. He lived across the street from the mill in the mill owned housing. Howard could tell if anything was wrong with the mill just by the sounds that crept across the street to his house. Howard's house resided next to the west fork of the Willamette River. He worked on call 24 hours and usually worked 10 to 16 hours, 7 days a week. Although sometimes we didn't see him much in August, he would take 2 weeks off. We would go on vacation and we got him all to ourselves. While he was working, his middle finger got caught in it a machine that chews things up and it chewed off his finger. The machine was known as a hog, so the children thought a real hog ate his finger. He was also a deputy sherriff for a few years, called at square dances.
Howard was known for being an honest man and if he gave his word nothing could stop him from keeping it. He also had a gift of a green thumb. His garden was well known throughout the community. His grandchildren loved to sneak into grandpa’s garden and steal a ripe strawberry or other fresh vegetable. If grandfather caught you in his garden he would yell and take his folding wooden measuring tape out and swat you on your bottom. His grandchildren were very careful about when they went into the garden to get a bite to eat. Howard's neighbor tried to do what he did to his garden, but Howard's garden was always better.
In Howard's later years, he liked to watch the old black and white TV. One time, while watching TV, his grandchild, Todd Keller, started to comb his hair. Howard quickly fell asleep and then Todd added a pair of scissors to his combing and cut his hair while he was a sleep. When Howard woke up, he had barely any hair left. Todd was about three years old when this event happened.
Howard's brother, Raymond, was always thought to be hijacked on a ship. He was never seen after he was a young man.
Was married to Vidah Howe on 7 Apr 1914 in Mcminnville, Oregon.
He was a head millwright (mechanic) at the mill in Wesfir, Oregon. He lived across the street from the mill in the mill owned housing. Howard could tell if anything was wrong with the mill just by the sounds that crept across the street to his house. Howard's house resided next to the west fork of the Willamette River. He worked on call 24 hours and usually worked 10 to 16 hours, 7 days a week. Although sometimes we didn't see him much in August, he would take 2 weeks off. We would go on vacation and we got him all to ourselves. While he was working, his middle finger got caught in it a machine that chews things up and it chewed off his finger. The machine was known as a hog, so the children thought a real hog ate his finger. He was also a deputy sherriff for a few years, called at square dances.
Howard was known for being an honest man and if he gave his word nothing could stop him from keeping it. He also had a gift of a green thumb. His garden was well known throughout the community. His grandchildren loved to sneak into grandpa’s garden and steal a ripe strawberry or other fresh vegetable. If grandfather caught you in his garden he would yell and take his folding wooden measuring tape out and swat you on your bottom. His grandchildren were very careful about when they went into the garden to get a bite to eat. Howard's neighbor tried to do what he did to his garden, but Howard's garden was always better.
In Howard's later years, he liked to watch the old black and white TV. One time, while watching TV, his grandchild, Todd Keller, started to comb his hair. Howard quickly fell asleep and then Todd added a pair of scissors to his combing and cut his hair while he was a sleep. When Howard woke up, he had barely any hair left. Todd was about three years old when this event happened.
Howard's brother, Raymond, was always thought to be hijacked on a ship. He was never seen after he was a young man.
Was married to Vidah Howe on 7 Apr 1914 in Mcminnville, Oregon.
The History of Vesta Velma Humphreys
Vesta was born in Albany, Oregon on November 8, 1909. Vesta was 19 years younger than her husband, Howard Wessner. She kept herself busy. She was the president of the school board, taught cooking and sewing in 4-H and was a girl scout leader. She was also head of Sunday School at church. She loved having the house all the kids hung out at. In the summers, Vesta would take her kids to the berry fields, green bean hops and nut farms to pick and make money. We would campout during the week and if Howard didn't work he would come on the week ends.
Her family was living in Eastside, Oregon. Across the alley from them was uncle Ray and Aunt Margeret. Down the alley to the left lived Uncle Leonard and Aunt Hilda. Down the alley to the right and to the end was Uncle Cecil and Aunt Nora (who died in her forties of heart trouble. She had 5 boys and 1 girl). Over 2 streets lived Uncle Bill and Aunt Doris. In Coos Bay about 5 miles away lived my uncle Francis (pooch) and Aunt Gwen. Uncle Pooch died suddenly of naturally causes and Aunt Gwen came home from the funeral home laid fdown and died of broken heart. they had 5 children still at home my mom went down and took care of them for awhile. Kathryn Wessner
Her family was living in Eastside, Oregon. Across the alley from them was uncle Ray and Aunt Margeret. Down the alley to the left lived Uncle Leonard and Aunt Hilda. Down the alley to the right and to the end was Uncle Cecil and Aunt Nora (who died in her forties of heart trouble. She had 5 boys and 1 girl). Over 2 streets lived Uncle Bill and Aunt Doris. In Coos Bay about 5 miles away lived my uncle Francis (pooch) and Aunt Gwen. Uncle Pooch died suddenly of naturally causes and Aunt Gwen came home from the funeral home laid fdown and died of broken heart. they had 5 children still at home my mom went down and took care of them for awhile. Kathryn Wessner