Merle Ruth Abbey




Adolph Richard Kvamme was born February 21, 1918, in North Dakota, and died July 2, 1981, in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 63. Buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Honeyford, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. He is the son of John Bernard Kvamme of Norway, and Mina Overlee of Norway.

Merle Ruth Abbey was born October 2, 1918, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, and died February 7, 1998, in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 79. Buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Honeyford, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. She is the daughter of Charles Gilby Abbey of Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, and Pearl Georgina Peoples of Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.

Adolph Richard Kvamme and Merle Ruth Abbey were married March 21, 1942, in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND.

Adolph Richard Kvamme and Merle Ruth (Abbey) Kvamme had one child:

  1. Richard Darrell Kvamme: Born June 20, 1945, in Unknown. Married to Beverly Ann Maurseth: Born June 4, 1947, in Unknown. Lived in Pipestone, MN.



TIMELINE

Adolph Richard Kvamme was born February 21, 1918, in North Dakota.

Merle Ruth Abbey was born October 2, 1918, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 22, 1920, shows Charles Abbey (age 32) is a dairy farmer living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Living with him were his wife Pearl Abbey (age 29) as well as their five children: daughter Merle Abbey (age 1-3/12) and son Harold Abbey (age 3/12). Both children born in North Dakota. Also in the household were a cook and three boarders.

The 1925 North Dakota State Census taken on April 1, 1925, shows Charles Abbey (age 37) is living in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND. Living with him are: Pearl Abbey (age 34); Merl Abbey (age 6); Donna Abbey (age 3); Samuel Abbey (age 1); Milton Peoples (age 29); John Wansink (age 27); and Gilbert McAlters (age 51).

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 10, 1930, shows Charles Abbey (age 42) born in North Dakota to English Canada and England-born parents, and first married at age 30, is a married General Farm Farmer, and who rents his home, and is living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Living with him are: his wife, Georgina Abbey (age 39) born in North Dakota to English Canada-born parents, and first married at age 27; his daughter, Merle Abbey (age 11) born in North Dakota to North Dakota-born parents; his son, Kenneth Abbey (age 10) born in North Dakota to North Dakota-born parents; his daughter, Donna Abbey (age 8) born in North Dakota to North Dakota-born parents; his son, Sammy Abbey (age 5) born in North Dakota to North Dakota-born parents; and his son, Charles Abbey (age 1-6/12) born in North Dakota to North Dakota-born parents.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 11, 1930, shows John B. Kvamme (age 39) born in North Dakota to Norwegian and Swedish-born parents and first married at age 27 is a General Farm Farmer living who is renting his farm and is living in Mekinock Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Living with him is his wife, Mina Kvamme (age 32) born in Minnesota to Norwegian-born parents and first married at age 19. Also living there are his two sons, both born in North Dakota to North Dakota and Minnesota-born parents: Adolph R. Kvamme (age 12); and Milton S. Kvamme (age 7).

The 1940 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1940, shows Charles Abbey (age 52) born in North Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 2 years of High School, is a Farmer of his Own Farm who is renting his home for $5/month, and is living in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND. Living with him are: his wife Pearl Abbey (age 49) born in North Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 2 years of High School; his unmarried son, Kenneth Abbey (age 20) born in North Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 4 years of High School, Farm Laborer by Month; his unmarried daughter, Donna Abbey (age 18) born in North Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 4 years of High School; his unmarried son, Samuel Abbey (age 15) born in North Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 1 year of High School; and his unmarried son, Charles Abbey Jr. (age 12) born in North Dakota, and 5 years ago was living in the Same House, and with 5 years of School.

Adolph Richard Kvamme and Merle Ruth Abbey were married March 21, 1942, in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND.

Pearl Georgina (Peoples) Abbey died December 3, 1959, in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA, at age 70.

Charles Gilby "Charley" Abbey died June 15, 1964, in Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 76.


CHARLES ABBEY

Spouse: PEARL PEOPLES

In 1915 Charley decided to go into the dairy business. A new modern barn was constructed. (See special feature story.) Charley had a herd of about one hundred cattle, good grades and some purebred Holsteins which he had shipped in from Iowa. The herd included some of the finest milch cows in the northwest. With the most up-to-date ideas in the marketing as well as in the handling of his products, Charley established a large milk business in Grand Forks. The quality of milk sold by the Abbey Milk Company was very high. It was the only pasteurized milk sold in Grand Forks and the volume of business, which was enormous, attested to the appreciation of the wholesome product. Whole milk, cream, whipping cream, skimmed milk and buttermilk were available. The demand for the Abbey products exceeded the supply and an ideal plant in the city was planned for the handling of the increasing production.

In 1915 the dairy farm had about 1,700 acres of land including spacious pastures, well shaded trees and a good supply of water. In winter the stock was watered from a deep well, with water piped to each individual stanchion. Besides the farm home a second house was built for cooking and housing the hired men and cook. Everything on the farm was done by electricity. A complete set of power driven machinery took care of the milk through the entire process of preparing it and its products for market.

For a few short years the dairy business seemed to be profitable, but the entire enterprise of building, construction, maintenance, purebred cattle, labor and transportation of milk products all were very expensive and put Charley heavily in debt. Though the dairying business was increasing, it became too large a venture, too far from the distribution point. Financially the overhead costs in Grand Forks became overwhelming. With much deliberation, the decision to sell the cattle was made. At first the dairy barn was used for a chicken project, raising capons and laying hens. Gradually Charley went into raising Great Northern beans along with the other crops. These beans, hand sorted and picked over, financed the college education of his sons and daughters.

In 1917, at a 4th of July celebration in Minto, Gilby's baseball team was scheduled to play. That same year Gertrude Peoples of Park River had taught in the Gilby School. She knew Charley who played on the team and introduced him to her sister, Pearl. Pearl Peoples was the eldest daughter of eight children. Her mother was frail and much of the responsibility for the family cooking and management fell on Pearl's shoulders. When she was in her early 20's she went into Park River to clerk in the dry goods section of a department store. She loved the work and her contacts with people. She had been employed there five years when she met Charley in Minto. A courtship began for Pearl and Charley and wedding bells were soon set. On Christmas Eve under a large white wedding bell, at the country home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel J. Peoples, the couple were united in marriage. Due to inclement weather the young couple had to spend the first night on the farm...in separate bedrooms. But the next day they left by train for an extended honeymoon to Minneapolis and then to California for the winter, returning to the Gilby community after the first of April. Ten months following their marriage she had her first born, followed with a child again at 13 months, 18 months and 22 months apart with the youngest born five years later. In the order of their birth they are: Merle Ruth, Kenneth Gilby, Donna Louise, Samuel Abner and Charles Orrin. Pearl was a busy mother and a hired girl was employed to help during the busy seasons on the farm. She sewed for her family and participated in local church activities, P. T. A., Homemakers and the Order of the Eastern Star. Her parents, sisters and brothers and their families all lived within driving distance. Family gatherings were frequent and every holiday brought all her family together alternating the feasting and entertainment at each home. Pearl loved picnics and lunches were always packed for trips to visit families at a distance, at the annual county fair or just to go berry picking. The praise and encouragement given her growing children during these years are some of their fondest memories of her.


Adolph Richard Kvamme died July 2, 1981, in Gilby, Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 63. Buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Honeyford, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.

Merle Ruth (Abbey) Kvamme died February 7, 1998, in Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND, at age 79. Buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Honeyford, Gilby Twp., Grand Forks Co., ND.


The Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND, February 10, 1998

Merle Kvamme, 79, 2396 27th Ave S., died Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998, at home. Merle Ruth Abbey was born Oct. 2, 1918, the daughter of Charles and Pearl (Peoples) Abbey, in Gilby, N.D., where she graduated from high school in 1936. She graduated from Mayville (N.D.) Teachers College, in 1938. She received her bachelor of science in education in 1968 and later attended UND. She taught rural school in Gilby and the Grand Forks Air Force Base. She married Adolph Kvamme on March 21, 1942, in Gilby.


The Grand Forks Herald, Grand Forks, Grand Forks Co., ND, February 10, 1998

Deceased Name: MERLE KVAMME

Merle Kvamme, 79, 2396 27th Ave S., died Saturday, Feb. 7, 1998, at home.

Merle Ruth Abbey was born Oct. 2, 1918, the daughter of Charles and Pearl (Peoples) Abbey, in Gilby, N.D., where she graduated from high school in 1936. She graduated from Mayville (N.D.) Teachers College, in 1938. She received her bachelor of science in education in 1968 and later attended UND. She taught rural school in Gilby and the Grand Forks Air Force Base. She married Adolph Kvamme on March 21, 1942, in Gilby. They lived and farmed in Honeyford, N.D., before she began her teaching career. Adolph Kvamme died July 2, 1981. She had lived in Grand Forks since 1995.

She is survived by a son, Richard (Beverly), Pipestone, Minn.; three grandchildren; brothers, Kenneth, Los Angeles, Samuel, Grand Forks, and Charles, Larimore, N.D.; and a sister, Donna James, San Diego.

Services: 10:30 a.m. Thursday, St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Honeyford.

Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, with a 7 p.m. prayer service, Amundson Funeral Home, Grand Forks, and one hour before services in the church. Burial: St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.


KVAMME, Merle Ruth Abbey and KVAMME, Adolph Richard are buried in St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery, Gilby Twp., Honeyford, Grand Forks Co., ND, along with his parents.


Name

Country

Date

Papers

County

Volume

Page

 Peoples, Alexander 

 Ireland 

 January 31, 1896 

 1st 

 Walsh 

 D-5 

 144 

 Peoples, Con 

 Ireland 

 November 03, 1884 

 1st 

 Morton 

 D-01 

 136 

 Peoples, Con 

 Ireland 

 April 05, 1880 

 1st 

 Burleigh 

 D-1 

 047 

 Peoples, George 

 Ireland 

 April 05, 1880 

 1st 

 Burleigh 

 D-1 

 046 

 Peoples, Hugh 

 Ireland 

 March 07, 1885 

 1st 

 Foster 

 D-1 

 044 

 Peoples, Hugh 

 England 

 August 13, 1890 

 2nd 

 Eddy 

 F-6 

 016 

 Peoples, James 

 Ireland 

 June 01, 1881 

 1st 

 Burleigh 

 D-1 

 092 

 Peoples, James 

 Ireland 

 June 19, 1891 

 2nd 

 Morton 

 F-12 

 183 

 Peoples, John 

 Ireland 

 May 21, 1889 

 1st 

 Eddy 

 D-1 

 082 

 Peoples, John 

 Ireland 

 October 03, 1896 

 1st 

 Walsh 

 D-5 

 205 

 Peoples, John 

 Ireland 

 October 31, 1900 

 2nd 

 Walsh 

 F-19 

 496 

 Peoples, Lizzie 

 USA 

 May 13, 1935 

 2nd 

 Walsh 

 P-30 

 020 

 Peoples, Robert 

 Ireland 

 April 02, 1880 

 1st 

 Burleigh 

 D-1 

 044 

 Peoples, Robert W 

 Canada 

 July 09, 1920 

 1st 

 Walsh 

 D-10 

 129 

 Peoples, Samauel Joseph 

 Canada 

 October 31, 1900 

 2nd 

 Walsh 

 F-19 

 494 

 Peoples, Samuel 

 Canada 

 November 01, 1894 

 2nd 

 Walsh 

 F-17 

 445 

 Peoples, Samuel J 

 Canada 

 November 02, 1896 

 1st 

 Walsh 

 D-5 

 285 

 Peoples, Samuel J 

 Canada 

 November 15, 1919 

 2nd 

 Walsh 

 F-26 

 098 

 Peoples, Samuel Joseph 

 Canada 

 June 02, 1915 

 1st 

 Walsh 

 D-9 

 193