Newburg, North Dakota

Stories set here

From the Sunshine Store to a New NameManny and Harvey owned a successful hardware and grocery business in Astoria. According to an account Ethel reported long after his death, Manny discovered his young bride with another man, beat the man, allegedly burned the house, and fled after withdrawing half the store cash and bank savings. In Newburg he worked on a wheat farm, then managed a lumberyard with an attached restaurant and dance hall, subsequently becoming its accountant and prospering. Between 1905 and 1910 he adopted the name Edward Williams. The passage offers speculative explanations involving prosecution or bigamy when he married Agnes Tomitum, while stating that secret correspondence with Harvey revealed that the assaulted man had survived.
Red Hair, Handmade Knickers and North Dakota SnowEthel's early life in Newburg included a comfortable home, her Norwegian immigrant mother's skilled sewing, and harsh winters. Agnes made her knickers from a catalog picture, making her the first girl in school to wear them. Ethel remembered tunneling through snow to the barn, skiing over fences to school and learning to walk on tiny snowshoes.
From the Sunshine Store to a New NameManny and Harvey owned the successful Sunshine Store in Astoria. According to a later report by his daughter Ethel, Manny discovered his first bride with another man about six months after they were betrothed, beat the man, and allegedly burned the house after ordering his wife outside. He took half the store cash and bank savings and fled by train to Newburg. There he worked as a wheat farmhand, then managed a lumberyard with an attached restaurant and dance hall, and subsequently became its accountant. He changed his name to Edward Williams between 1905 and 1910. The family speculates about avoiding prosecution or a bigamy charge when marrying Agnes Tomitum, while stating that secret correspondence with Harvey revealed the other man had survived and the first wife had disappeared.
Red Hair, Snowshoes, and a Mother’s Handmade KnickersEthel’s early life in Newburg combined material comfort and her Norwegian mother’s skilled sewing with severe winters. Ralph’s death and Agnes’ tuberculosis disrupted the family, sending Ethel and Lloyd on a frightening train journey to their grandparents in Astoria. After Agnes died, Ed’s grief and drinking left young Ethel caring for her family. Friends and dancing brought happiness, but her father refused her wish to attend college and sent her to work.

Events here

January 28, 1911; previously believed to be 1909
Birth of Ethel Kathrine Williams
Carol gives Ethel's birth date as January 28, 1911. Ethel had believed she was born in 1909, and her grave marker was engraved before the error was discovered.
After settling in Newburg
Farm work and lumberyard prosperity
Worked as a wheat-farm farmhand, later managed a lumberyard with an attached restaurant and dance hall, and subsequently became its accountant.
January 28, 1911
Birth of Ethel Katherine Williams
Firstborn of three children; her father's name was mistakenly recorded as Edwin.
job
Farm and lumberyard work in Newburg
Worked on a wheat farm, later managed a lumberyard with a restaurant and dance hall, and subsequently became its accountant and prospered.
January 28, 1911
Ethel Katherine Williams is born
The birth announcement incorrectly named her father Edwin.

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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