Grandmother Ruth Adell Nesmith Terry

Grandma Ruth Terry

My maternal grandmother, Ruth Adell Nesmith Terry was born November 10, 1901 in Natick, Massachusetts. She was born in the home of her maternal grandparents, Charles and Samantha Bride.

This page, dedicated to Grandma Terry, will likely bring back wonderful memories for her living grandchildren: cousins, Stephen, Susan, Linda, and Mick, and my sisters, Linda and Terri. As we grew older and provided great-grandchildren, her love enveloped them as well. Her devotion to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will never be forgotten. She passed away in Ephrata, at the age of 81.

Nellie and Frank Nesmith

Ruth's parents were Frank Orlando Nesmith and Nellie Alby Bride. Frank and Nellie married December 16, 1900, in Wauneta, NE, then moved to Natick, MA, where her parents lived. Ruth was born the next November, in Natick, MA. Soon after the birth of their second daughter, Vera, they moved the family from Natick, back to Wauneta. Frank's father had homesteaded near Wauneta and many family members lived there. Frank operated a General Merchandise store. Nellie's parents, Charles and Samantha Bride, also moved to Wauneta to be closer to their daughter and granddaughters.

Ruth and her middle sister Vera, c. 1911

Ruth was the eldest of three daughters. Her sisters were Vera Leona (Maddux), born January 6, 1905 in Natick, MA and Fern Marie (Fox), born July 2, 1908 in Wauneta, NE.

Ruth, Fern and Vera as children, c. 1911

Ruth was an accomplished violinist - age 16

One of our family heirlooms is the violin that belonged to Grandmother Ruth Terry. The violin was gifted to me by Grandma Terry when she passed away. My older son Joshua, took violin lessons with his great-grandmother's violin from the age of 9 - 12.

I wrote to Grandma Terry's youngest sister Fern to inquire about this special musical instrument.

"Your great grandpa and great grandma Nesmith bought it for your grandma from John McPhearson. He lived in the country south of Wauneta and was a violinist. He gave violin lessons, so (Ruth) your grandma took lessons from him several years.  Then she got married. They lived in Calif. so don't know if she took other lessons or not. I think they gave her the violin on her 16th birthday.... she had wanted one real bad. She played real good. We all enjoyed her music. Sometimes our mother played the piano to accompany her. Josh sure might have inherited her talent. She often wrote about how much fun she had with Josh. She loved being with all of you."  Fern Nesmith Fox - 2/22/1985 from Wauneta, NE.

Ruth Terry in Hollywood, CA. She was married and mother to Junior. She was about 23 years old.

Ruth and Jesse Terry moved to Hollywood, CA for a short time. Their son, Jesse Wall Terry, Jr. was born August 20, 1923, in Hollywood. Soon they moved to Holyoke, CO, where their second son, William Bertrand and their daughter Donna Patricia were born.

Ruth and baby "Junior"

The Terry family especially enjoyed boats and being out on the water. In the photo above, Junior gets his first opportunity to go boating with his mother and father.

Baby Bill, at 15 months, gets his first boating excursion, Junior with the oars, Ruth up front

Junior, Ruth and Bill c. 1930

William Bertrand "Bill" was born January 31, 1928, in Holyoke, CO.

Ruth Terry and baby daughter Patty Terry, about 10 months old

Ruth and 20 month old Patty Terry, May 17, 1933, Holyoke, CO

Donna Patricia, "Patty", Terry was born August 2, 1931, in Holyoke, CO.


































In later years, the Terry family had their own sailboat and enjoyed many hours on the water.

Patty, Bill, Ruth and Junior, in their own boat. As ever, Jesse Sr. took the photograph of his family, May 17, 1938.

Ruth on the sailboat, May 17, 1938

Ruth A. Terry, early 1940s, living in N. Seattle

Our mother, "Patty", eventually became Pat. She and her mother Ruth were very close. I believe that Grandmother Ruth taught many homemaking and mothering skills to our mother, who turned out to be brilliant in everything that she tried, including: sewing, cooking, teaching, child care, community leadership, music and art. I appreciate the talents and skills handed down from mother to daughter, from Great-great grandmother Samantha Loker Bride, to Great Grandmother Nelly Bride Nesmith, to Grandmother Ruth Nesmith Terry and to our mother, Pat Terry Lowe.

Pat and Ruth, mid 1940's

Pat and Ruth, late 1940's

Pat Terry, her grandfather - Frank O. Nesmith,
his daughter - Ruth A. Nesmith Terry - c.1950

Three generations: Great-grandfather Frank Orlando Nesmith, Grandmother Ruth Adell Nesmith Terry and her daughter (our mother) Pat Terry.

Ruth Terry at the wedding of her daughter Pat Terry Lowe - 1950

Ruth Terry, dressed up and ready for the marriage of her daughter, Pat Terry, to William Thomas Lowe.

Grandma Ruth Terry and me, (5 years old), in her kitchen in the Seattle house at N. 83rd - about 1956

The photo above brings back many memories for me, of time spent with Grandma. Not only was she a wonderful baker, she also played some great board and card games, made exquisite doll clothes, took grandchildren to the Seattle Zoo, walked us over to Chubby and Tubby's to shop, played with us at Peanut Pond near Green Lake, and read stories before bedtime. Grandma had 7 grandchildren and she was a very special and important adult in each of our lives.

I'm happy that our parents were willing and able to drive from Ephrata to Seattle, as often as possible, so that my sisters, Linda and Terri, and I could spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Terry. Our Uncle Bill and his wife Yvonne often brought cousins, Stephen, Susan, Linda and Michael from Port Orchard to visit Grandma and Grandpa in Seattle.

When Grandpa Terry died in 1965, Grandma was alone in Seattle. She had never learned to drive and wanted more than anything to be close to family. Our parents, Willie and Pat Lowe, invited Grandma to move to Ephrata, WA, where she would once again be close to her daughter, Pat, and granddaughter, Terri. A few years later, Grandma found a nice home about two blocks from our parents' home. She soon became involved in the Ephrata Senior Center and made many new friends. She enjoyed her life, especially when grandchildren and great-grandchildren came to visit.

Grandma Ruth Terry at her home in Ephrata in the late 1970's

Grandma Terry and Josh (nearly 5), Aug. 1979

Ruth Terry continued teaching the children of her grandchildren, including my sons, Joshua and David.

Grandma Terry and Dave, (20 months), Aug. 1979

Dear Grandma Terry,

If there was a chance for me to see you now, I would hold your hands in mine, look into your lovely hazel eyes and let you know that your love for your children, your grandchildren and your great grandchildren was a blessing for us all. There is so much I learned from having known you and spent time with you. You taught me about mothering and grand-mothering. I would put my arm around you and place a kiss on your soft cheek, close once again. Thank you, dearest Grandma. I miss you so much.

Love, Cathy

Josh (age 7), Grandma Terry, Dave (age 4)

Grandfather Thomas Lee Lowe

Thomas Lee Lowe

Thomas Lee Lowe - Othello

My paternal Grandfather, Thomas Lee Lowe, was born September 6, 1887, in North Carolina. I did not have the privilege to meet my Grandfather, as he passed away September 17, 1947, when my own father was 18 years old. Grandfather Lowe holds a special place in my heart as he loved and married my wonderful Grandmother Lillian Lee Taylor, and together they raised a fine man, my father, William Thomas Lowe and a good woman, my aunt, Norma Lee Lowe.

Thomas' Great-grandfather was an important Confederate soldier, Lt. Col. Thomas Lafayette Lowe, July 28, 1831. He was an officer in Company C: 28th Regiment. Thomas Lafayette Lowe married Dorcas Anna Coulter and together they had three children: Thomas Lee (1/9/1855), Ottis L. (2/13/1859) and Willie Ellen (1/11/1861). Lt. Col Thomas Lafayette Lowe died on the battlefield, near Richmond VA, June 11, 1862.
His sketch is listed in the "The Catawba Soldier of the Civil War." p. 173

Ottis L. Lowe, father of Thomas Lee Lowe

Grandfather Lowe's parents were Ottis L. Lowe and Laura Alice Robinson. (Ottis died at the age of 34, 6 weeks after the birth of his daughter Annie, leaving his wife and 4 children.)

Thomas Lee, Annie Laura, Laura Alice, Ottis Augustus and John Coulter

Their children were:
John Coulter -12/28/1884
Thomas Lee - 9/6/1887
Ottis Augustus - 8/5/1891
Annie Laura - 8/12/1893

Thomas Lee Lowe, about 13 years old

Even though Thomas' father had passed away, he had many uncles, cousins, aunts, and grandparents in the tightly knit Lowe and Robinson families. They lived in the area of Hickory, Startown, Newton and Lincolnton, N.C.

Brother John C., Tom Lowe, Brother Gus

Tom Lowe, John C. Lowe, Henry Robinson, O. Gus Lowe - St. Maries Idaho

Fun photo of Grandfather Lowe, his two brothers, John C. and O. Gus and their uncle, Henry Robinson.

Unknown, Tom Lowe, Curley Brinton in St. Marie's ID

Left - Tom Lowe, Unknown, Curley Brinton in St. Maries, ID

                                                        Tom Lowe with friends in St. Maries, ID.

 Thomas Lowe on the right

Grandfather Thomas Lowe served in the Navy based in San Diego, CA, from 1917-1918.  World War I Armistice was declared, November 11, 1918.  Tom Lowe was discharged at Bremerton, WA, December 1918.

 Thomas Lee Lowe - Train Engineer

Tom Lowe, middle row left, Logging Engine - St. Maries, ID, 1910 - 1916

Thomas Lowe - Engineer - Logging Train - center right, leaning on the front of the engine

Thomas Lowe driving

Thomas Lowe - second from left, note that the person far right is a lady

Thomas Lowe - Engineer - center

  

 Thomas Lowe - Engineer

      So how did Thomas Lowe, train engineer based in St. Maries, ID and Lillian Taylor, teacher in Kittitas, WA meet? When Lillian's family moved from the Hyak, WA area to Kittitas WA, Lillian began teaching in the Kittitas Valley. Her younger brother, Dudley, brought Tom to the Taylor family home to meet his family. Tom had fed Dud canned pineapple when they met, so Dud thought, "This man is worth knowing." [based on notes from his daughter Norma Lee Lowe Mathies]
 

     Evidently Grandma Lillian felt the same. Thomas Lee Lowe and Lillian Lee Taylor married July 2, 1927 and their first child (my father, William Thomas) was born, in 1928, in Ellensburg, WA. They moved to St. Maries, ID, where their daughter (Norma Lee) was born, then to Othello, WA, to Kittitas, WA and back to Othello, WA. Each of these towns was on the train road where Grandfather Lowe was an engineer.


     Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (CMStP&P RR). It was a Class I railroad that operated in the Midwest and Northwest of the United States from 1847 until its merger into the Soo Line Railroad on January 1, 1986. In the 1890s, the Milwaukee's directors felt that they had to extend the railroad to the Pacific in order to remain competitive with other roads. A survey in 1901 estimated costs to build to the Pacific Northwest as $45 million. In 1905, the board approved the Pacific Extension, now estimated at $60 million.   
     Construction began in 1906 and was completed in 1909. The route chosen was to be 18 miles shorter than the shortest competitor's, as well as better grades than some. It was an expensive route, however, since the Milwaukee, receiving few land grants, had to buy most of the land or acquire smaller railroads. In addition, the two main mountain ranges that had to be crossed (the Rockies and the Cascades) required major civil engineering works and the use of additional locomotive power. The completion of 2,300 miles of railroad through some of the most varied topography in the nation in only three years was a major feat.
     The Milwaukee soon found that operation of steam locomotives over the mountain passes was difficult, with winter temperatures that reached -40 °F. Electrification seemed to be the answer, especially with abundant hydroelectric power in the mountains.
     In 1917, the board approved the construction of a separate electrified district between Othello and Tacoma, WA, extended to Seattle in 1927.
     The electrification was successful from an engineering and operational standpoint, but the cost of building increased the debt load and reduced revenues which brought the road to bankruptcy in 1925.
     In 1927, the road launched its second edition of the Olympian as a premier luxury limited passenger train and opened its first railroad-owned tourist hotel, The Gallatin Gateway Inn in Montana. The railroad was re-organized as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Company in January 1928 and officially adopted the familiar trade name The Milwaukee Road." http://www.slahs.org/history/railroad/bugline.htm

Three years after World War I Armistice - Marshall Ferdinand Foch visited the USA

Tom Lowe, second from the right, in Navy uniform - 1921 - photo by Gravelle at St. Marie's, Idaho

This photo above was posted in the Seattle Post Intelligencer - November 1, 1921.
Titled - "Service Men in Uniform Drive Foch's Special - Engineer, Conductor, Firemen, Brakemen and Baggageman, All Veterans of World War
     The Foch special drew into the Milwaukee depot on time to the very second, a triumph of trainmanship that seven former service men, making up the crew from St. Maries, Ida, to Seattle, achieved in spite of snow, rain, a rock on the track and some other enforced delays.

     The Milwaukee officials determined upon the handling of the train by former service men as the prettiest kind of a tribute to pay the marshal. The men were collected from the company's service from various points between Spokane and Deer Lodge, Mont.

     All men wore their service uniforms.

     When the steam engine hooked on at Georgetown, the entire crew went back to the marshal's car to be presented.

     The engineer in charge of Engine No. 561, which drew Marshal Foch's train on the last lap of the journey from Black River, was Tom McCaull of Seattle.

     The fireman was Tom Lowe, also a member of the Spokane post of the Legion, and who was in the naval aviation service.

     The baggageman was Joe Healey, a member of the Powell County Post of the Legion at Deer Lodge, Mont., and a fireman, first-class, in the navy during the war, on the U.S.S. Princess Matoka.

     The conductor was Lieut. W.E. Cummins of the Missoula, Mont. post, and was with the Thirty-first Engineers during the war.

     The brakemen were Private J.P. Bevins of Benewah Post, No. 5, St. Maries, with the transportation corps during the war; Private August T. Shirley, with the transportation corps during the war and a member of the Spokane Legion and Private William R. Theiss of the Twenty-eighth Engineers, also a member of the Spokane Legion post.

     Among Milwaukee officials who accompanied the Foch special from Spokane to Seattle in Vice President H.B. Earling's [of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway] private car were James R. Veitch, assistant traffic manager and A.P. Chapman Jr., assistant general passenger agent."

Photo Montage for Post Intelligencer by Walter P. Miller - November 29, 1921

The above photo montage is of Field Marshall Ferdinand Foch of France, later Field Marshall of the UK and Poland, plus the group of American service men who handled the train from Black River to Seattle. Marshall Foch was accompanied by (left to right) Frank D'Olier - the past national commander of the American Legion, Dr. Paul Andre - his physician, Foch, Capt Rene M. l'Hopital - his aide, and General Desticker - chief of staff.

Grandfather Thomas Lowe is on the far right of the seven Americans, in naval uniform.

Grandfather Lowe and me

When I began this blog I stated that some of the puzzle pieces would be difficult to discern the shape  and to find the fit. In starting this page for my Grandfather, Thomas Lee Lowe, I felt uncertain, definitely unsure, searching for a man I did not know. Since reading about Grandpa Lowe, and his family, learning more about the train company he worked for, and asking questions of family, I've come to a peaceful knowledge of who he was and of how much he touched and enriched the lives of family and friends.

Thomas Lowe in the center

For train buffs, I have included every train photo I have in Grandpa's collection. Input on the various engines, trains, stations, etc. would be much appreciated.

Grandfather Jesse Wall Terry

Jesse Wall Terry, Sr.

My maternal grandfather, Jesse Wall Terry, also known as Grandpa Terry, was born on March 12, 1900, in Nebraska (likely Antelope County.) He died September 11, 1965; I was 14 years old. This wonderful man made a huge impression in my life. He was kind, gentle, hardworking, talented, creative and musical. In researching his life, I have learned so much about his family and those he touched with his love. Grandpa Terry, this page is dedicated to you. Love you so much!

Jesse Wall Terry

Lewis S. Terry

Lewis S. Terry

Grandpa Jesse Terry's parents were Great-grandfather, Elder Lewis "Lute" Sherman Terry and Great-grandmother, Harriet "Hattie" Elizabeth Curtis Terry.  They were married in 1883. Lewis S. Terry was a Church of Christ minister. There are numerous notations in the "Wauneta Breeze" newspaper for weddings and funerals that he conducted, both in Wauneta, NE and other nearby towns.

Great-grandmother Harriet "Hattie" Elizabeth Curtis Terry

Great-grandmother Hattie gave birth to 11 children between 1883 and 1908, nine who survived infancy.

Ora Nelson (1883-1981)
Edna Marion (1885-1955)
Minnie Ethel (1888-1946)
Paul Harlan (1890-1974)
Mark Twain (1893-1893)
Alice Pearl (1895-1969)
Harvey Edgar (1897-1963)
Jesse Wall (1900-1965)
Walter Scott (1902-1903)
Norman Glen (1905-1970)
Claude Burton (1908-1978)

Lewis & Harriet Terry, w/Paul Terry's twins in Wauneta, NE - Aug. 1926

Great-grandfather Lewis and Great-grandmother Hattie celebrated the births of many grandchildren over the years. Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Jesse Terry provided 3 of those grandchildren: "Junior," "Bill," and "Patty." The large extended family enjoyed vacation trips and travel in the Nebraska and Colorado area.

Jesse Wall Terry, baby "Junior" and Ruth Terry c. 1924

Grandpa Jesse Terry married Grandma Ruth Adell Nesmith, June 7, 1922. Their first son is our Uncle, Jesse Wall Terry, Jr., "Junior," who was born August 20, 1923. Uncle Jess passed away in September 2010, in Seattle, WA.

Jesse W. Terry and "Junior" c. 1924

This photo is of Grandpa Jesse Terry and his first born son, "Junior". Other photos in the series seem to show them visiting in Wauneta Nebraska, possibly to introduce baby "Junior" to his grandparents, Lewis and Hattie Terry, and grandparents, Frank and Nellie Nesmith, as well as great-grandparents, Charles and Mantie Bride and various other family members who lived nearby.

Jesse Wall Terry and "Junior" c. 1925

Notice the car off to the side yard. Grandpa Jesse Terry enjoyed driving and traveling around visiting family in Nebraska and Colorado.

Grandpa Jesse was an accomplished musician, playing saxophone, third from the left.

When my sisters and I would visit Grandpa Jesse and Grandma Ruth Terry in Seattle, we would ask Grandpa to please play for us on his saxophone. It was always a pleasure to hear him. He played "by ear," and was very talented.

Grandma Ruth, Mother Patty, Grandpa Jesse Terry c. 1938

Mother Patty and her Dad, Grandpa Terry c. 1939-1941

Our Mom, Patty Terry, with her Dad, our Grandpa Terry c. 1943-45

Jesse and Ruth Terry had three children:

Their first child, Jesse Wall Terry Jr., "Junior" was born in Hollywood, California in 1923.

Their second son, William Bertrand Terry, "Bill" was born in 1928, in Holyoke, CO. Bill and his wife Yvonne, were the parents of 4 children: Stephen, Susan, Linda and Mick.

Our mother, Patricia Terry, "Patty" was born August 2, 1931, Holyoke, CO. She was the third child and only daughter of Grandpa and Grandma Terry. One can imagine that she was the "little princess" in this loving family. Pat and Willie Lowe were the parents of 4 children: Cathy (me), Bobby, Linda and Terri.

I don't have a lot of photos of Grandpa between the birth of his first son and his third child, our mother Patty, growing up. As usually happens in families, one person is the family photographer, and that happened to be Grandpa Terry.

Grandpa was a proficient photographer

Ruth and Jesse Terry, c. 1940

Seattle - Grandpa, our dog Grannie, and baby Cathy (me) 1952

Grandpa and Grandma -1961, I photographed them.

Grandpa Terry enjoyed the outdoors. He was a hunter and loved fishing. On weekends he and Grandma would take drives out in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. They both enjoyed the beauty of the area where they lived.

Grandpa Terry was a painter by trade. At one time he had his own paint shop in Grants Pass, OR. When I was born he was working in downtown Seattle as a painter for displays in stores such as: Frederick & Nelson, Bon Marche, Nordstroms and others.

He was also a magician at fixing broken toys from the discards in the basements of those stores. Grandpa and Grandma's basement was a wonderland for grandchildren. Grandpa had constructed an entire HO train set, with mountains, tunnels, houses, flashing lights, bells and miniature people. Grandma had designed a child-size kitchen with table, chairs, dishes, and all the kitchen needs. Every granddaughter had a personal doll named after her, (I still have my "Cathy" doll) with clothing stitched by Grandma herself. There were books and games, pogo sticks, scooters, doll strollers, erector sets and much, much more. There was also a bedroom downstairs with three child-size beds for when the grandchildren came to visit.

Grandpa nicknamed my sisters and me, "Big, Middle and Little Pickle-Puss". He had a stiff mustache and often gave us whisker-kisses. 

At their house, the brass candy dish was always full with non-pareils. The bird feeder at the kitchen window was the  meeting place for all the neighbor birds. Mail was delivered through a slot in the wall. And there was a collection of board and card games in the buffet for grandchildren.

Beautiful childhood memories for grandchildren. I learned from Grandpa and Grandma Terry how to create them for my own grandchildren.