Floyd Guild

known as Dad, Daddy, Casey

also written Dad, Floyd, Mr. Guild, Daddy, Casey, Floyd R. Guild, Mr. Floyd Guild, Floyd Raymond Guild, Floyd Raymond in the book

Biography

Described by the narrator as her buddy, ingenious, and loyal. Wanted to name all the children after his brothers and sisters. Thirty-two years old when Carol was born; named her in honor of the Christmas season. Added a basement and installed a furnace in the childhood home around 1943. Bernie's father; thirty-two years old when Bernie was born. Described as movie star handsome, muscular and athletic, with wavy black hair combed straight back, a dark complexion, tough beard but always clean shaven, a regal straight nose, hazel eyes, widow’s peak, and thin lips. Moved fast and powerfully; very alive, animated, outspoken, with a sharp, clear voice. Called Dad and Daddy by the narrator. Cautious about others' safety on his land, though some of his own projects were dangerous. Organized a garage raising and equipped the garage as a workshop. An excellent arc welder who made parts for his inventions. Called Daddy and Dad by the narrator. Used a forked willow divining rod to choose the well site and built the thirty-three-foot well using concrete rings. With Dale, lowered the narrator into the well before reaching water. Enthusiastically directed the making of Glug, but his expression when tasting it suggested disappointment. Bill described him as a good shot who always hit the airborne potatoes. Jailed overnight for not responding to a direct court order to pay property taxes. Fined seventy dollars, which Bill supplied. Later, Mom found the court letters unopened in Daddy’s dresser drawer. Introduced to Ethel by Mary Hill; married Ethel in 1928. Excellent dancer, singer in the Glee Club at Turner's Hall, and advanced competitive tumbler with Turner's Tumbling team. Proudly flexed his biceps for his children. Called Ed 'Gramps' and sometimes retrieved him after drinking. Died before Ethel; buried beside her in Riverside cemetery in Moline Illinois. Married Ethel in 1928 after Mary Hill introduced them. Excellent dancer; belonged to the Glee Club at Turner’s Hall and competed with Turner’s Tumbling team. Died before Ethel; buried beside her in Riverside cemetery in Moline Illinois. birth date recorded both as “December 15, 1904” and as “1904” in the book; kept as written. occupation also recorded as “Made plowshares at John Deere; worked eight-hour days and earned more money for making more parts.” in the book. education also recorded as “Quit school at sixteen.” in the book. Called Dad and Daddy by the narrator. Had ten brothers and sisters, including half-siblings because his father married twice. Most family members said he was from Brainerd. Skilled trader, inventor, mechanic, carpenter, and carver. Made a riding-sprayer and motorized plow. Smoked cigarettes and later quit smoking but chewed tobacco. Became ill before his death; no dates stated. Occupation also recorded as “Worked at John Deere; described as an excellent mechanic and welder.” (Bob's Chapter). The narrator's Dad; no personal name other than his workplace nickname, Casey, is supplied in the passage. Maintained a workshop and a half-acre orchard, attended Dad’s Club and Scout troop meetings, and taught the children crafts. Had unnamed brothers in Minnesota. Said, “I’ve got seven kids to feed,” while negotiating car purchases. Enjoyed his motorcycle and camper in retirement. Called Dad and Daddy. Bessie and Clarence are his full siblings; Myrtle is his half-sister. He and Ethel talked little about their backgrounds. Birthplace also recorded as “at home on a farm in St. Mathias Township, Crow Wing County, Minnesota” (History of the Guild Family). Fourth child of Dan and ninth child of Olive. Charles Warren Fairbanks is described as his cousin seven times removed. Inherited Olive's dark skin and long straight nose, his father's hazel eyes, and grandfather Newton's coarse black hair and widow's peak. Hailed as the best-looking Guild after puberty. The passage calls the Vosburg children both half-siblings and stepsiblings. Source for accounts about Dan. Good penman and speller; signed family cards 'Floyd R. Guild.' Practiced 'Mr. Floyd Guild' three times on Olive’s 1918 calendar, noting 'Wrote this with Ralph’s pen.' Close to Clarence and fond of Ralph; maintained ties with all siblings. Skilled at tinkering and deeply respectful of Olive. Barbara's father. His wife is referred to as Mom but is not named in the passage. Used home remedies, maintained an annual half-acre garden and an orchard, made wild-grape wine, repaired and traded things, and assembled a riding lawn mower from junk. Barbara heard stories of him being a Water Witch. His favorite song was The Tennessee Waltz. Said girls should not go to college. Not identified by a personal name in this passage. Merlin's favorite uncle. Went to Moline with Gus Falk at sixteen following Falk's offer to take him to work at Deere. Relatives called him the rich relative. Gertie is called his stepsister, although she is also listed among Olive's children; the passage later says Daddy had five half and three full brothers and sisters. These descriptions are preserved without reconciliation. Sometimes called “Casey.” Called Diana “Dolly.” No personal name is supplied in the passage. Described as having dark brown wavy hair, hazel eyes, a sociable personality, and a good sense of humor. Claimed he was one-half Indian. Named Iris and nicknamed the narrator Sputnik. Inventively improved household tools and auction purchases in his shed; the narrator credited him with inventing the first riding lawnmower. Maintained a quarter-acre garden and grew popcorn on McFarland’s lot. The passage says he had seven children and also says he had ten people to feed including himself. Bought a motor scooter, turquoise blue Comet, and travel trailer after retiring. Had a series of strokes three years after retirement. Wanted baptism before death and asked Bill to take care of Ethel. Named in the collective wording “Mr. and Mrs. Floyd and Ethel Guild.” Courted Mom at Lagomarcino’s. Occupation also recorded as “Worked at John Deere Plow Works with Frank Melton.” (Carol's Chapter). Brought home the paycheck and maintained the garden, yard, car, repairs, and building projects. Helped Eilene Peterson start her mower after her parents died. Lifelong strong Democrat. Enjoyed cards, including Cribbage with Grandpa. Died before Ethel. Occupation also recorded as “Worked in the experimental department at Deere’s; inventor.” (Bernie's Chapter). Not identified by a full name in this passage. Built a tree sprayer from an old Willys car and other parts. Invented at least four important devices for tandem plows, plow lifts, and harrows at Deere’s, receiving thanks but no royalties. Occupation also recorded as “Work included lifting heavy steel plowshares into a tempering furnace eight hours a day.” (Bernie's Chapter). Described as strong, athletic, and well proportioned. Worked at home after work, building in his workshop, welding, and making replacement metal parts on his lathe. Usually wore heavy black leather high-top work shoes, white socks, blue chambray shirts, and black covert work pants. Had long, wavy, jet-black hair that grayed prematurely. Enjoyed teasing people and was remembered as a hero to his children. The narrator says that when he stopped working, he started to die; no death date is given. Very close to his parents and Minnesota relatives. The narrator says he had about seven brothers and sisters and many cousins around Brainerd. Protective of his daughters and demanding toward his sons-in-law. Reportedly cured Bob's and the narrator's ringworm with Kerodin and his own foot fungus with Spiro Powder. Had recurring malaria and took quinine. Told a childhood story about pulling teeth with string tied to a door knob; the narrator questions it. Made Mom endure shoulder bursitis while sitting in a rocking chair, which distressed the narrator. The passage does not give his personal name. The passage places Jonathan Fayerbanke ten generations back from Floyd and Jason Fairbanks three generations before Floyd. Grandson of Newton Joseph Guild and Carrie; never knew either grandparent. The passage says a facial characteristic was once believed to have passed from him to two unnamed children. Floyd and Clarence were described as teenagers of fourteen and sixteen around the time of the inheritance, perhaps about 1918. They left home after their father refused to cut trees to repay the mortgage. Occupation also recorded as “John Deere Plow Works machinist, forge operator tempering steel plowshares, and line inspector; gravel-truck driver on a WPA road-building project during a layoff.” (History of the Guild Family). Lived with Uncle Bernal Almond Guild and aunt Belle after Dan lost his property. Moved to Moline in 1921 with Gus Falk's help. Married Ethel November 6, 1928. Had seven children and lived to see ten grandchildren. Had occasional malaria and a severe stroke two years before dying at age 64 of acute kidney failure. Buried beside Ethel at Riverside Cemetery in Moline. Bessie is identified as his brother Clarence's sister; the passage does not specify her sibling relationship to Floyd. The rock inscription is attributed to Floyd and Clarence, although neither admitted writing it.

Timeline

December 15, 1904
Birth of FLOYD RAYMOND GUILD
The Guilds
December 15, 1904
Birth of Floyd Raymond Guild
Carol gives St. Mathias as the birthplace but notes that some family documents give Fort Ripley.
Carol's Chapter
December 15, 1904
Birth of Floyd Raymond Guild
Described as Dan's fourth child and Olive's ninth.
History of the Guild Family
1904
Birth of Floyd
Born after both paternal grandparents had died.
History of the Guild Family
1904
Birth of Floyd Raymond
The passage says Dan then had ten mouths to feed and ten bodies to clothe.
History of the Guild Family
1917
Bessie's diphtheria quarantine
The sheriff quarantined Ira, Olive, and Dan at the farm when Bessie contracted diphtheria. Ira nursed her; Floyd and Clarence ran away to avoid quarantine.
History of the Guild Family
On a 1918 calendar
Floyd practices his signature on Olive’s calendar
Floyd wrote 'Mr. Floyd Guild' three times and 'Wrote this with Ralph’s pen.' Arnie Guild possesses the calendar.
History of the Guild Family
Perhaps about 1918
Dan Guild family receives a bachelor's estate
Township elders selected the family as the poorest in the township, qualifying them to inherit 160 wooded acres, an operating sawmill, and outbuildings.
History of the Guild Family
1921
Gus brings Floyd to Moline
Floyd rode in Gus's car after accepting his offer of help getting a John Deere job.
History of the Guild Family
1921
Floyd begins at John Deere Plow Works
Gus, a supervisor, helped Floyd obtain work.
History of the Guild Family
About 1926
Floyd and Ethel's roller-skating blind date
Their courtship subsequently featured ballroom dancing at Turner Lodge and weekend picnics.
History of the Guild Family
November 6, 1928
Ethel and Floyd marry in Moline
Elva and Frank Melton stood up with them. The four went out for dinner and a movie after the wedding; Ethel and Floyd did not go on a honeymoon.
Carol's Chapter
November 6, 1928
Floyd and Ethel's wedding
Married by a Justice of the Peace with Frank and Elva standing up for them. All went to a movie afterward.
History of the Guild Family
1928
Ethel and Floyd marry
Ethel was 17; Mary Hill had introduced them.
History of the Guild Family
1928
Ethel marries Floyd
She was seventeen but believed she was nineteen. Mary Hill had introduced them.
History of the Guild Family
May, 1930
Iris is born
First child.
History of the Guild Family
May, 1930
Birth of Iris
First child and daughter.
History of the Guild Family
about 1934
Ed joins Ethel and Floyd permanently
Stopped working, possibly from severe depression; remained with them until death.
History of the Guild Family
About 1934
Ed joins Ethel and Floyd's household permanently
Previously lived with them on and off. Remained until death and helped raise the children.
History of the Guild Family
Fifteen minutes after midnight, April 11th, 1936
Birth of Bernie
Born in the upstairs bedroom of his parents' rented house; weighed ten pounds.
Bernie's Chapter
1936
Bernie is born
Second child, described as born after the Great Depression ended in 1936.
History of the Guild Family
After the Great Depression ended in 1936
Birth of Bernie
Second child and first son. Another statement says Ethel was pregnant with him two years after her 1934 surgery.
History of the Guild Family
9:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 24, 1938
Christmas Eve birth of Carol Mae
Carol was born to Ethel, age twenty-nine, and Floyd Guild, age thirty-two. Her father named her Carol Mae in honor of the Christmas season.
Carol's Chapter
NOVEMBER FIRST, NINETEEN FORTY
Birth of Delores Ann
Born the third daughter and fifth child of seven, weighing a little over seven pounds. Her mother named her Delores Ann.
Dee's Chapter
one summer in the Forties
A summer visit from Floyd's three sisters
The sisters came from Brainerd; Carol had not met them before.
Carol's Chapter
around 1943
Basement addition and furnace installation
Carol's father added the basement and installed the furnace; the brass living-room heat register dates from that work.
Carol's Chapter
1965, after thirty-nine years
Retirement from John Deere Plow Works
Held several positions and retired as a hot press operator on the plow share line.
Carol's Chapter
May 23, 1968
Floyd's death
Died at age 64 of acute kidney failure.
History of the Guild Family
When I was older
Golfing on sand greens
Barbara says her father forced her to golf with him. He carved a furrow to the hole on the sand greens so her ball would go in.
Barbara's Chapter
every year; all summer and fall
Annual garden and harvest work
The family helped Floyd plant a half-acre garden and worked to keep up with the produce. He picked corn immediately before cooking and had the children polish tomatoes for sale, telling them to put bad ones at the bottom.
Barbara's Chapter
When Mom and Dad took me to college for the first time
Barbara’s first trip to college
Barbara's parents took her to college. Floyd threatened to bring her home if he disliked the looks of her roommate and did not think girls should attend college.
Barbara's Chapter
the first time Norm came to our house to meet the family
Norm meets the family
During Norm's introductory family visit, Floyd took him to Iris’s house and silently drained an almost empty liquor bottle found in the garage garbage.
Barbara's Chapter
For years, on the Fourth of July
Fourth of July family gatherings
Daddy returned for family reunions, arriving in new cars. He stopped going sometime after Bernie and Bob were twelve or thirteen.
Barbara's Chapter
When Dad was sixteen years old
Daddy quits school
Quit school before going to Moline with Gus Falk.
Barbara's Chapter
When Dad was sixteen years old
Daddy goes to Moline with Gus Falk
Falk had promised to take Daddy to Moline to work at Deere when he was old enough.
Barbara's Chapter
date not given
Daddy names Delores Sputnik
Floyd gave the narrator the nickname Sputnik in the shed where she spent hours watching him work.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
A cherished western hunting trip
Floyd went deer hunting, shot an elk, brought it home, and had it dressed out. Ethel would have nothing to do with it; Delores never knew what happened to the meat.
Dee's Chapter
After Dad retired
Retirement purchases for enjoyment
Floyd bought a motor scooter, a turquoise blue Comet, and a travel trailer. Ethel wanted nothing to do with them.
Dee's Chapter
Only three years after Daddy’s retirement
Floyd suffers a series of strokes
Following the strokes, Floyd felt it important to be baptized before dying and wanted to see everyone. The passage does not confirm that baptism occurred.
Dee's Chapter
Days later, after Dad insisted on seeing Bill
A deathbed request to care for Ethel
Bill visited Floyd, who wanted to make sure he would “take care of Ethel.” Delores admired her father’s devotion to her mother.
Dee's Chapter
Before marriage
Courtship at Lagomarcino’s
Dad courted Mom at the ice cream parlor and sandwich shop.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
Mom and Dad’s wedding and celebration
Elva Melton was Mom’s maid-of-honor and witness. Afterward, the couple went to the movies and to Lagos.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
Ethel and Floyd's roller-skating blind date
Mary Hill arranged their first date.
Carol's Chapter
After her birth in 1938
Carol comes home to her siblings
Carol went home to the apartment to join her sister Iris and brothers Bobby and Bernie.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Floyd and Frank Melton work together
They were coworkers and good friends.
Carol's Chapter
the years just before Daddy got sick and passed away
Visits from Uncle Clarence and Francis
They visited a few times with their five unnamed children, whom Carol came to know well.
Carol's Chapter
a recent trip home
Carol hears Herb's memories of Daddy
Herb described Floyd's inventions, assistance to neighbors, and protectiveness toward his girls.
Carol's Chapter
date not given
Dad's work at John Deere
Dad was a hard worker at John Deere, where his friends called him Casey.
Bob's Chapter
Occasionally
Unannounced visits to Dad's brothers
The family traveled to visit Dad's unnamed brothers without calling or writing ahead.
Bob's Chapter
One day
A visit with Oscar and his cat
While Dad and Oscar drank beer, Dad fed some to Oscar's cat. Its behavior made the group laugh.
Bob's Chapter
most of the summer
Building Floyd Guild’s Well
After choosing a site with a willow divining rod, Floyd cast a dozen concrete rings, each three feet high and three feet in diameter with approximately eight-inch-thick walls. He excavated beneath successive rings until the well was thirty-three feet deep. Bernard and Bob helped winch dirt; Dale McFarland and Tom Johnson are tentatively identified as neighbors who later helped. One unused ring was rolled to the orchard.
Bernie's Chapter
a hot day, just before Dad hit water
A Secret Descent into the Well
Dad and Dale lowered shirtless Bernard into the well using a rough rope halter. He recalled painful rope, intense cold, and seeing stars in daylight from the bottom. Dad required secrecy under threat of the razor strap.
Bernie's Chapter
One summer
Growing and selling popcorn
Bob and Bernie grew popcorn with Dad's permission to keep the proceeds. His story of a gold ear encouraged a quick harvest. They found no gold ear and sold the popcorn for ten cents a pound.
Bob's Chapter
His retirement
Dad enjoys retirement
Dad enjoyed his retirement, especially his motorcycle and camper. Bob was glad he had at least a few years to enjoy it.
Bob's Chapter
what was to become our last trip there
Last visit to Dan Guild's grave
While the family visited and pulled weeds, Myrtle suggested digging Dan up to see what he looked like. Bernard believed she meant it.
Bernie's Chapter
after W.W.II
Bob and Bernard treated for ringworm
The narrator attributes the epidemic to returning GI's from the South Pacific. Louis Arp treated the boys weekly; Daddy's successful use of Kerodin reportedly became standard treatment after the doctors heard about it.
Bernie's Chapter
Once
Mom endures shoulder bursitis
Dad made Mom tough out severe shoulder pain sitting in a rocking chair. The narrator found her suffering unbearable to watch and disliked Dad's response.
Bernie's Chapter
When Diana was a little girl
Diana's painful leg illness
The narrator feared Diana would lose her leg and prayed nightly for healing. He remembers her courage as sustaining the family through the illness.
Bernie's Chapter
date not given
Floyd Guild's garage raising
Neighbors built a garage in one day. Floyd promised a ham dinner and expected over twenty people; Mom received only one day's notice, and Virginia helped prepare the meal.
Bernie's Chapter
when we first graveled it
Leveling the driveway and digging a ditch
Bernard drove the homemade tractor while Daddy guided a heavy scoop behind it to level the driveway. They used the same method to dig a ditch behind the garage for used washing machine water. Dale said a shovel would have been faster.
Bernie's Chapter
later on
Daddy’s inventions at Deere’s
Worked in the experimental department and invented at least four important devices for tandem plows, plow lifts, and harrows. Received no royalties, only thanks addressed to Casey.
Bernie's Chapter
One Saturday
Making Glug in the downstairs kitchen
The four spent hours making Glug with port wine, raisins, and spices under Floyd’s direction; his reaction to tasting it suggested disappointment.
Iris's Chapter
Thanksgiving, not very long after Bill and Iris married
Thanksgiving target shooting with potatoes
Before dinner, Floyd and Bill took turns shooting airborne potatoes with a four-ten shotgun. Bill recalled that they became better friends afterward.
Iris's Chapter
One summer evening
Floyd Guild spends a night in jail over property taxes
Floyd called Bill for help after being jailed for not responding to Judge O’Neil’s direct court order to pay property taxes. Julie arranged a hearing for the next morning.
Iris's Chapter
The following morning, at exactly 9 a.m.
Court hearing and seventy-dollar fine
Judge O’Neil told Floyd to open and read court letters and fined him seventy dollars. Bill supplied the money. Afterward, Floyd retrieved his belongings and found his car seats wet from rain through open windows. Julie never billed for his services.
Iris's Chapter
Later
Unopened court letters found in Daddy’s dresser
Mom found the court letters in Daddy’s dresser drawer; they had never been opened.
Iris's Chapter
date not given
Ed funds room for seven teenagers
Contributed $2,000 from postal savings toward two bedrooms and a bath.
History of the Guild Family
During childhood
Floyd and Clarence’s schooling
The family thinks both attended through about sixth or seventh grade.
History of the Guild Family
After the inheritance, perhaps about 1918
The family makes a home in the granary
With no residence on the land, they sealed the windowless granary's open slat-work for winter and camped inside.
History of the Guild Family
Soon after the dairy venture around 1918
Foreclosure costs Dan the inherited farm
The bank foreclosed after one missed regular payment. Dan refused to sell birch trees for pulp to repay the loan. The passage says he lost everything for want of $200, but subsequently says he retained the sawmill.
History of the Guild Family
During the foreclosure dispute
Floyd and Clarence leave home
The brothers left after Dan rejected their plan to cut trees to save the property and told them to go if they did not like his decision.
History of the Guild Family
date not given
The mysterious driveway inscription
The passage attributes 'The Devil is buried here' to Floyd and Clarence, but says neither admitted why or even whether they wrote it.
History of the Guild Family
After Dan lost the property; before the 1921 move
Floyd stays with Uncle Bernie and Belle
Floyd learned horse care and joking from his favorite uncle.
History of the Guild Family
Later years, usually 'Forth of July'
Minnesota family reunion trips
Visited Floyd's siblings and parents. Floyd stopped going to Minnesota after his mother died.
History of the Guild Family
At age 38; Floyd was 9
Sophrona dies of tuberculosis
Left eight surviving children.
History of the Guild Family
About a year during the Great Depression of the Thirties
WPA work during Floyd's John Deere layoff
Lloyd helped Floyd obtain work driving a gravel truck on a WPA road-building project.
History of the Guild Family
Two years before his death
Floyd's severe stroke
Never fully recovered.
History of the Guild Family
date not given
Floyd and Ethel rest side by side
Floyd is buried with Ethel right next to him.
History of the Guild Family
date not given
Floyd makes plowshares at John Deere
Worked eight-hour days making plowshares, with earnings tied to the number of parts produced. Coworkers called him Casey.
Dee's Chapter
date not given
Daddy builds a homemade tree sprayer
Daddy cut down an old Willys chassis, welded the parts together, reconfigured its transmission for larger tires, and built a pump. A hundred-gallon drum was eventually replaced with a wooden tank from King’s Apple Orchard.
Bernie's Chapter
date not given
Ed helps enlarge the family home
Contributed earnings and savings, including $2,000 from Postal Savings, for two bedrooms and a bath, saying the little house could not hold seven teenagers.
History of the Guild Family
one time
Wrestling outing with Daddy
Floyd took the children to see midget wrestling, which he called “rassling.”
Barbara's Chapter
Occasionally, later on ... in the spring
Plowing neighbors’ gardens for five dollars
Daddy sometimes brought a Deere’s tractor home for a day or two. While he was at work, Bernard used it to plow neighbors’ gardens for five dollars. Bernard explicitly expressed uncertainty about Bob’s participation and whether they ever got caught.
Bernie's Chapter

Stories mentioning Floyd

In the family geneagram

Recorded in the geneagram kept with the book. Where the corrected pages and the master run differ, both readings are shown and the corrected one is the reading the archive follows.

Corrected record · Floyd Raymond Guild & Ethel Katherine Williams

Born: December 15, 1904, Brainerd, Minnesota.
Married: November 6, 1928, Moline, Illinois.
Died: May 23, 1968, Moline, Illinois, Age 64 of acute kidney failure, after stroke. Buried in Moline, Illinois at Riverside Cemetery.

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Master record — superseded · Floyd Raymond Guild & Ethel Katherine Williams

Born: December 15, 1904, Brainerd, Minnesota.
Married: November 6, 1928, Moline, Illinois.
Died: May 23, 1968, Moline, Il. Age 64 of acute kidney failure, after stroke. Buried in Moline, Il. at Riverside Cemetery.

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Referenced in

Family corrections

Notes sent in by the family and approved on review. They sit alongside the original record — the book's wording is never changed.

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