JOSEPH ARLIE
Born: January 8, 1906
Brother Joe was born at Smithfield, IL, the third son to George and Ida. I remember Joe as one of my first bosses when I was about eight or nine years of age. Dad was away from home alot with the sawmill and threshing machines. Joe took over as boss of all the younger brothers on all farm jobs. He sure could find a lot of work for us to do too. Quite a boss.He also looked after us on the things he thought we should not do, but that would take another chapter. I will quit while ahead. I know now it was a big job keeping five small boys out of trouble. Joe succeeded fairly well as long as he was home.In 1930 he married Myrtle Bolan. There were no children. She died in 1965 after a long illness. Later he married Henrietta Jackson. She had two sons by a previous marriage, John and Edwin, ages nine and fourteen. They were immediately accepted as a part of our family.Joe had started a sawmill about 1929. He ran it very successfully but due to Myrtle's ill health, he sold it about 1950.His heart was always in farming. Even as a young man, Joe was a master farmer. He bought a considerable amount of land around Smithfield - in Spoon River Country. He has farmed since the early 1940's. He ran both, the sawmill and the farm for many years.Joe could retire but always seems to be busy with his farm and other activities. He has been very active in the "Fulton County Historical Society." He is a past president and has spent many years on the Board of Directors. He writes several articles each year for publication in the Fulton County Historical Society News Letter. It is published quarterly.Most of these articles are about Fulton County Spoon River and its people, (past and present). They are very interesting and show a great knowledge of history and people. Joe lived at Smithfield from 1930 until 1966 when he moved to Cuba, IL, where he has lived since with Henrietta.We learned early not to fib to Joe. He knew when we were telling the truth and when we were not. We built a fire too close to the barn ONCE!! ! Joe saw the smoke. We found out that was not a very smart thing to do. We never did that again. I still remember his tone of voice. He educated us. Fire of any kind near hay was forbidden.Later years, I spent a few weeks at Joe's home in Smithfield when Hazel was in the Canton Hospital. I still have a good feeling about the warm welcome I was given.Joe told us many tall tales as we were growing up. "A great story teller!!!" "A great brother! ! !"
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DELBERT VERNON
Born: March 24, 1907
Died: August 15, 1990
As I remember Delbert, when I was a small boy of eight or nine, He was generally putting wires on a piece of plywood. Dad called it "tinkeritis." Sometime later, we heard the first radio in our home. In 1924, Delbert had built the first wireless music box (radio) in our area.The radio of that age was mostly parts bought and assembled in the homes and were very crude. It was the beginning of the radio age. They had factory assembled radios in the cities but they were very expensive and very poor sound.Delbert's knowledge of electronics was very useful some forty years later when he invented and began manufacturing the Helle Log Turner and Sawmills. Delbert's started Sawmill Hydraulics in Farmington, Illinois. The Helle sawmill was the first fully automatic portable sawmill in the nation. It used electric controls with hydraulic power. This equipment is in use in all parts of the world, even in countries like Malaysia and New Guinea.Delbert married Nellie A. Hays of Smithfield, IL in March of 1931. Nellie was born February 18, 1912. They had eight children:Gordon WayneSept. 13, 1932
Sept. 13, 1932Lawrence JamesAugust 23, 1934
August 23, 1934Maurice CarlOct. 10, 1936
Oct. 10, 1936AdajuneMarch 15, 1938
March 15, 1938Joanne Kathiene Feb. 11, 1940
Phyllis Fern July 27, 1941 died: August 18, 1960
Verle EdwinFeb. 9, 1943
Feb. 9, 1943Dwight EveralMay 10, 1944
May 10, 1944Delbert operated a portable sawmill with Walter and Sheldon at Hanover, Illinois for one year. Then he moved to Farmington, IL where they have been sinceAfter Delbert's great success with his invention of the hydraulic log turner, he closed the sawmill and started building and selling sawmill and allied machinery. At the time of this writing Delbert is semi-retired. His sons, Verle and Dwight, are operating the factory, but Delbert is still available when his help is needed.Delbert and Nellie were in a terrible automobile accident in 1971. Nellie was seriously injured with compound fractures of both arms and both legs. In spite of the large modern hospital, they still could not save her leg. It was amputated above the knee. She has been in a wheel chair ever since.Their daughter, Phyllis, was sick with a rare blood disease, which was a form of leukemia. This illness extended over several months. She died in August of 1960.The rest of the family are all well and busy people. They are a fine family to be proud of.
NOTE:Before this book was put into final print, Brother Delbert was taken from us. August 18, 1990, he died of a heart attack. He was a wonderful brother, a wonderful man. We will all miss him.
Before this book was put into final print, Brother Delbert was taken from us. August 18, 1990, he died of a heart attack. He was a wonderful brother, a wonderful man. We will all miss him.