Emilia Sophia Larson

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.

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.