Who is my granddaddy?

Chapter 25

                      ORREN ANDERSON AND ALIDA GUERNSEY

 In 1918, Orren got a job with Herring and Young Mercantile in Strong City, OK.  His boss’s name was Jim Lee Robinson, whom I was named after, but never met. Twenty four years later Mr. Robinson wrote this letter of recommendation to Honorable Elmer Thomas, for Orrens application for Post Master in Enid, OK.

June 10, 1942

Dear Senator,

The late Colonel F. E. Herring took Orren Anderson, as a Country boy, put him in his store at Strong City and in a few weeks had him in the office and on the books, Orren kept the books at that store for  several years and then was made Manager, which place he filled capable for about five years, quitting our firm to enter business for himself.

 Orren Anderson is a self made man, he is honest, reliable, and qualified to fill the place of Post Master, and I assure you that we will appreciate your consideration of his application and appointment to the Post Master at Enid if you can do so.

 Orren’s honesty was exemplified when a customer at Herring and Young was overcharged on a purchase of less than one dollar.  That evening after work, he walked some distant to their home to return the small amount overcharged.  Other than the time spent with the US Army in World War I,  he worked for Herring and Young until 1926.

Top right, Orren with brother- in- law Lee Caffey at the Guernsey home.

 World War I was going on during Orren’s teenage years.   He joined the army on November 11, 1918 .  His brother-in-laws, Curt Guernsey and Lee Caffey also joined.  Orren’s younger brother, Virgil Anderson, listed in the army and unfortunately,  caught the flu during the 1918 epidemic and died soon after.

 Picture taken 1917, called “Call to Colors”, young men from Strong City who were enlisting in the Army.  Virgil Anderson third from the left.

A short distance from Strong City was the Guernsey Ranch.  Elmer and Madelena Guernsey had two sons and four pretty daughters .

 Luella, Alida, Minnie and Pauline Guernsey

The Guernsey home was a popular place.

 

Alida Guernsey, 1916

When Orren moved to Strong City, he looked up that pretty red head girl that played against his Red Moon girls basketball team.

           Alida,Orren & “chaparone”.                                               

 Alida’s Teachers Certificate from Weatherford College

                                                         Orren Anderson and Alida Guernsey

 After a courtship, they were married on March 15, 1919.  They stayed in Strong City  where Orren worked for Herring and Young Mercantile and Alida was a third grade teacher.

Orren and Alida’s first home.