Family Letter from Jeremy Goldsworthy November 28, 2017 "Everingham family of mid-Eastern Michigan" Thanks to Jeremy for providing so much insight into a branch of the family I had been trying to research for 20 years or more! It was great to hear from him. ~Kevin
I am really interested in the site you've built and are using, is that something that you crafted yourself or part of a package that is available for purchase? I ask because I am currently using ancestry.com, and while it's handy, it's also pricy and, well, concerning to a certain aspect that they hold the data. I can give you some background on the Elizabeth Eugenia, side of things; though your data is quite accurate and complete. For the basics: Elizabeth married Duane Wahl. They had two children, Harriet Karen and Elizabeth Reinette. Elizabeth Reinette, who goes by Reinette. Reinette is my mother. She was previously married to some guy with the last name of Allen, though they didn't have any kids and that's all I know. She married my father, James Robert Goldsworthy in 1980 and I was born June 10, 1981. I am their only child. Harriet is my aunt. She, too, was previously married to some guy with the last name of Kelly, they had to children: Robert (Bob) and Todd. She remarried a guy by the name of John Poyhonen. Yes, Elizabeth was born in 1917 and the eldest of her siblings. Her father was the president of the Kinde State Bank and she, along with many of her sisters (I'd have to ask my mom for the absolute particulars though, I know Lois for sure) worked at the bank, until they married. As Lois never married, it stands in my memory that she even elevated to president or vice-president of the bank. I do not know much about what would be my great-grandfather, he had died long before I was born. I do recall visiting my great-grandmother, once as a child (probably 6 or so) and playing under her front porch. My grandmother, Elizabeth, was definitely a product of the Great Depression. She saved EVERYTHING from newspaper bags to her laundry water. I can remember as a kid visiting with her and she drained her rinse water into a separate tank to use again as the wash water. She also used to take her dish water out and water plants and trees. Elizabeth and Duane settled in Bad Axe, Michigan. After she married Duane (a.k.a. Dewy), she turned into the quintessential housewife. The marriage, according to family lore, was something of a scandal, as Dewy was from a farming family... As a note, everyone called him Dewy, including his children and grandchildren. Dewy became an agent for Michigan Mutual and established a successful agency. I don't know when he retired from that line of work. He was very influential in Huron County; running campaign elections (a sheriff, name escapes me at the moment-but I think they called him "Doc Brown"), a member of the Masonic Temple and very concerned about having the best looking lawn in Bad Axe. Dewy died when I was very young, 4 or 5. As a result, I really didn't get to know him and only recognize him from pictures. Dewy had severe arthritis and had many of his joints replaced. Elizabeth lived a very long life, though the last decade plus, she suffered the effects of Alzheimer's disease. I was probably 13 when she was officially diagnosed. She had a number of in-home care givers, until such a time that she just couldn't be left alone at night and she was moved to a facility in Rochester (to be close to Harriet) called Waltonwood. When Harriet moved to Florida following her and John's retirement, Elizabeth moved to Barr's in Port Huron, MI, to be close to my mother. Both my Auntie and mom would spend at least several hours a day with her and at least once a week she would go to their house for a special dinner. I'm not sure if you've ever had the experience to watch someone decline due to the effects of Alzheimer's disease, but it's not pleasant at the end. Towards the beginning they're very scared because they cannot remember the things that they used to be able to mostly short-term. Towards the middle, they're actually a lot of fun, almost child-like. I was an undergraduate when Elizabeth moved to Port Huron and when I'd be home for a break or the weekend, I would always visit with her; usually having lunch or dinner. I would also spring her for a trip to the local ice-cream place-she loved that. The ironic thing about her is that she always hated indoor animals (cats, dogs, etc.). My mother, Reinette, always told me that she was allowed to have cats, but they either had to live in the garage or the basement... Anyway, while she was at Barr's, I used to take a neighbor's dog to visit; she loved it. Elizabeth also enjoyed Laurence Welk and his music hour presentations. The decline outside of the childhood stage, I'll spare that from you - it's not pleasant. I know my great-aunt Cherry, Charlotte, lived in Saginaw, MI and I used to visit with her, while an undergraduate at Northwood University (2000-2003). Her husband, Bill seems to ring a bell, built a car in his basement (well restored it); only to have to take it apart again to drive it. My mother is named after Shirley Reinette, who died as an infant. The story goes that they had given her pop-corn and she choked (and inhaled) the husk, leading to pneumonia and death. None of the sisters particularly got along with their brother, Raymon. He was married twice and was an antique dealer, that's all I know. Florence, whom I know as Aunt Ad, suffered the loss of her husband at an early age. She raised the boys on her own, and while still quite young had to go into nursing assistance for scleroderma. I know she lost one of her boys to an automobile accident, I want to say William. Aileen, whom I know as Aunt Kit, is still alive to the best of my knowledge. My mother, Reinette, was a teacher. She taught secondary (7th through 12th grade) English and reading. She retired, I want to say in something like 1997 to care for Elizabeth full-time. My father, James, was a secondary (9th-12th grade) high school principal for his entire career and yes, he was my principal. Reinette taught at Fort Gratiot Middle School and Jim was at Port Huron Northern. As for myself, I have a half-sister from my father's previous marriage, Andrea. She's an accomplished dentist, practicing in Port Huron. I myself, live in Midland, MI. I attended Northwood University with a focus on Information Systems Management and Accounting for my undergraduate work. I also attended Saginaw Valley State University for a MBA with a focus in economics and process management. I am single and have two dogs and one cat. Ironically, with you in Stanton, MI, you're not very far away. If I have not totally scared you off with my dissertation, it might be nice to meet for coffee, lunch or drinks sometime. Hope to hear from you again, cousin!
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