RAYMOND H. AND ELLEN MINERVA RUSSELL SCHMIDT

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Ellen Minerva Russell was the fourth child (2nd daughter) of Theron Russell and Gertrude McLain. She was born while her family resided on Mill Street in Salem, Ore. Nov 6, 1920. She was given the names of her two grandmothers, Harriett Ellen Rarrick Russell and Betsey Minerva Gragg McLain, and her great great grandmother Minerva Dimmick Gragg.

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Ellen was a very shy child. Her first memories were of Clayton Lavene, an older boy who continued to tease her unmercifully. Finally, on day she clobbered him on the head with a conch shell and that ended that problem. But her parents found on little, scared girl, crying under their bed. She hid there on more than one occasion and had some other hiding places as well. She lived in the Coos Bay area for a short while and then moved to Shelburn, settling there with her family for several years before making the move to Albany.

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While in Shelburn, the family lived in an uncompleted house, about a mile from the school. At this time, her father lived in Albany during the week days while working for the Union Oil Company; he stayed at Mr. Galbraith’s rooming house. Due to an earlier trolley car accident in San Francisco, Mrs. Gabraith lost her leg so wore a wooden leg. Theron would adjust it for her. He was remembered by Ellen as a jolly person—a helper, a kind man, willing to ‘give the shirt off of his back” to a friend or stranger in need. He was a GOOD person.

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In Shelburn the family had a “neat” buggy. The horse loved it, so would back into place; the family members would find their places and off to church they went. The church was located across the road from the school. Ellen’s father had a beautiful rich voice and would often sing solo or duet with Rev. Fossett in morning services at the community church. Theron was with Rev. Fossett in morning services at the community church. Theron was on the section-crew for the railroad for a period of time, so on some Sundays he would get the family on the hand-pumped cart and pump all the way to church and back. It was no unusual to take a picnic lunch and eat at church after the Sunday morning services. Sunday School was offered. Midweek prayer meetings were held in the homes. Many were held at the home of her grandparents, the Rev. William H. and Bettie Gragg McLain. The entire family attended. Ellen was baptized by her grandfather McLain; she later joined the Methodist Episcopal at the age of 12.

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She began the first grade in Shelburn, walking on the railroad tracks to school with her siblings. Once her sister, Clyo flagged a train down. Clyo had received a cute little red umbrella. As she was “bobbing” along, the engineer thought it was a flagman. The family moved into the sunrise District in Albany, Ore, that year so Ellen completed her first grade there. This rented house soon sold, so once again the Russell family moved. They found a house to rent next door to the Hubert and Frances Schmidt family. The Russell and Schmidt children spent many hours together—playing, working in berry and hop fields, candy-making, attending church.

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The Russell family lived at a home on Creswell Lane for quite a while, at Bridgeway, Tower Grove and finally on 1st Street. Ellen walked to high school where she took general subjects and home economics. She was best at math. She played center on the girls basketball team and played Albany College (which was located at present-day Bureau of Mines). She did not work while in school, however, after graduation, she worked for her Uncle Rufus Russell at the Linn Co. Court House and for Floyd Mullins at the farm Bureau. She was also Knox Butte School clerk for many years.

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Ellen met Ray Schmidt when she was but 7 years of age. She first dated him when she was 15; many dates followed—and much “perking.” Movies and sodas were the big thing to do in those days. Both she and Ray remembered their first kiss fondly. Raymond Hubert Schmidt, son of Hubert Oscar and Frances Ida Anderson Schmidt, married Ellen September 10, 1939, in the Methodist Episcopal Church by Grandfather McLain. Ellen’s father, Theron, had been very ill at the time, but insisted that the young couple continue with their wedding plans. She and her new husband were honeymooning at the World’s Fair in San Francisco when they received word of her father’s death, four days later.

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The newlyweds lived at Millersburg for almost four years, renting a farm from Ray’s brother Robert. Son Larry was born in Lebanon while the family lived here on Aug 8, 1941. Robert moved back to his farm during the War, so Ray, Ellen and little Larry stayed briefly with Ray’s father until the little family could locate a home. One day, Ellen returned from town and excitedly told the two men what she had seen as she passed a local real estate office. Yes, this was it! Much needed to be worked out—but many years have passed and Ray remains on this prized piece of property.

 

Together, he and his loving wife raised their family---Dianne joined the family Feb 25, 1944; Darlene arrived Sept 27, 1946—on this farm and hill acreage. Here the family experienced time of hope and pain; joy, happiness and sorrow—but always LOVE> It was here that Ellen was loved and nurtured as she had loved and nurtured, passing (a victim of Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer) in the presence of those she loved so dearly, surrounded by the lost memories of the home she had so lovingly created.

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Ellen was hard working, industrious, generous, creative, nurturing and sweet dispositioned. She, in every sense of the word, was a Proverbs 21 woman. And we, her family, stand up and give her honor.

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By Dianne Ellen Schmidt Hurley

June 1992

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Footnote: My mother lived a full life. Much could be said about her experiences on the farm; or about her…air-conditioned combine. My father retired in 1976; both were free to travel and that they did.. They travelled to Alaska, Hawaii, to Great Britain, twice to Europe and often times made an annual trek to California and Death Valley. Earlier, three trips were made to the East Coast.

 

Both loved to crab and fish. Time was spent learning to placer mine. My mother had been a member of the Methodist Church, Grange, Knox Butte Sewing Club, Millersburg Embroidery Club, Friends O Mine Club and Kensington Club; through the extension office she learned knitting, candle-making and candy making. Yes, in the brief biography above much has been left unsaid.