Orlando Learn

Orlando was the son of Nathan B Learn & Arvilla Cooper and was married 4 times. His obit tells a bit of his life and genealogy.

courtesy of Kathy -  Find A Grave

His first wife was Martha, 'Mattie,' Perkins, the daughter of Albert Perkins & Sophia Osgood and they had one daughter, Flora May - Flora died in 1881 & Martha in 1885.

courtesy of Kathy - Find A Grave

After Mattie’s death, he married Rosalie, 'Rosa,' Morris, the daughter of William Morris & Emeline Miller.  They had 2 sons, Clifford & Millard before she died in 1911.

courtesy of Roger Sharrer - Ancestry

 His third wife was widower Mrs Hannah Campbell, the daughter of Hopkins Moore & Amelia Nobles and a DAR member, tracing her lineage back to Solomon Tracy who fought in the Battle of Minisink. 

Orlando & Hannah were married a short 4 years before she died in 1918.

Orlando's last wife was also the marrying kind, having married 4 times herself. She was Ida Jane Pumphrey, the daughter of Benjamin Pumphrey & Minnie Myers. After Orlando's death she married John Thomas Fisher and she died in 1944 in Ohio.

The Little Valley Hub, 7 Dec 1922
Death Orlando C Learn
Ischua, Nov 29 - Word was received this morning of the death of Orlando C Learn of Newfane, NY after a short illness. Mr Learn was of pioneer ancestry, his grandfather, George Learn, coming from Pennsylvania in 1823, cutting the first road from (Rice) now village of Ischua, to Dutch Hill. He had only one dollar in money and a team when he settled on the farm where Orlando Learn's father Nathan Learn was born in 1830. IN 1855, Nathan Learn married Miss Arvilla Cooper of Hinsdale. They settled in Humphrey where Orlando Learn was born in December, nearly 68 years ago. Orlando Learn was married to Rosa Morris of this place in 1888, at that time he was foreman of the Goodyear Lumber company in Austin, Pa. After his marriage, he came and lived here on the farm with his father-in-law, William Morris. After the death of his wife, some time ago, he married Ida Bevin of Baltimore, Md. They purchased a vineyard and fruit farm at Newfane, NY where his death occurred. He was a charter member of the IOOF of Hinsdale from there he was transferred to the Newfane Lodge. He leaves to survive him the widow, two sons, Clifford Learn, Pittsburgh, Pa, Millard Learn, Edgcomb, Maine. One grandchild, one sister, Mrs Charles Smiley of Olean, and two brothers, Emmett Learn of Auburn, Maine and Edgar E Learn of this place. Edgar Learn and his sister Mrs Smiley of Olean left this morning for Newfane.

Learn - Cooper

Our Arvilla Cooper married the son of a pioneer who cut the first road from Ischua to Dutch Hill. Nathan B Learn was her husband, George Learn was the pioneer. One of six children, Nathan would go on to be the highway commissioner, the justice of the peace and the assessor in the area.

Arvilla and Nathan were married in 1855 and they had 5 children: Orlando, Edna, Emmett, Clara & Edgar.

courtesy of Grandma - Find A Grave

The Post, Wed, 20 Jul 1898
Mrs Arvilla Learn, wife of the late Nathan Learn of Dutch Hill, in the town of Hinsdale, passed away, Wednesday at 730 o'clock at her home. Deceased was sixty-seven years of age. She had been ill for over eight months. She had always resided in the vicinity where she died and was well and favorably known to a wide circle of friends. She was a consistent member of the Baptist Church at Scott's Corners. Mrs Learn leaves the following children to mourn their loss: Orlando of Ischua, Emmet G of Auburn, ME, Edgar E of Ischua, Mrs Edna Yates of Ischua and Mrs Clara Smiley of Olean. The funeral was held at the house, Friday, conducted by Rev Mr Dean of Scott's Corners.

Olean Herald, 25 Mar 1897
Nathan Learn, a farm residing on Dutch Hill, town of Ischua, died of pleura-pneumonia at 9:30 o'clock this morning. He was born 67 years ago on the farm where he died, his father having been one of the pioneers of this section, coming here when there were only one or two house where this city is now located. Deceased was a prominent and highly esteemed resident, having held the offices of assessor and justice of the peace several terms. He was know throughout this section as a man of high character and excellent qualities of mind and hear. He is survived by his wife and five children - Orland Learn of the Five Mile, Mrs L Yates of Hinsdale, Emmet G Learn of Lewiston, Maine, Mrs C J Smiley of Olean and Edgar E Learn of Dutch Hills - also by two sisters: Mrs Fannie Raub and Mrs Lydia Learn of Dutch Hill. The funeral will be held from the house Sunday at 12 o'clock. the burial will be in the Dutch Hill Cemetery.

Nathan B Learn - Historical Gazetteer & Biography 

A Gerard Clan

courtesy of Elizabeth Babcock

Loie Viola Hall, sometimes called Lois, was the daughter of Joseph O Hall & Emma A Cooper.  In 1894, she married a fella named Frank Layton Gerard, the son of Frank Xavier Gerard & Ursual Adeline Cummings.  Together they had 7 children – Win, George, John, Felix, Emma, Ellery & Fred.

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Win Frank Gerard married Sylvia Mae Payne, the daughter of James Payne & Malona Gethers; and they had 3 children, Stella, Carl & Lelah

courtesy of Stevens Point Daily Journal, 22 Jul 1970

Daily Tribune, 5 Apr 1974

COLOMA - Win F Gerard, 78, Coloma, died at his home about 10 pm Wednesday following an apparent heart attack. Services will be at 2 pm Saturday at the Coloma Methodist Church, the Rev Kendall Anderson officiating, with burial in Hillside Cemetery, Coloma. Mr Gerard was born May 25, 1895, in the town of Richfield, Adams County, the son of Mr and Mrs Frank Gerard, and married Sylvia Payne at Coloma, July 29, 1920. He operated the Standard Oil service station at Coloma for many years and was a member of Odd Fellows, American Legion and Rebekah Lodge. Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Mrs Stella Pommering, Sussex; and Mrs Lelah Kapp, Coloma; a son, Carl, Plainfield; two brothers, George, Wisconsin Rapids; and Fred, Friendship; a sister, Mrs Emma Holden, Marshfield; nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Friends may call at Hamilton Funeral Home, Coloma, today until time of services. Odd Fellows services will be held at 8 pm this evening at the funeral home.

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courtesy of Spirit In The Sky - Find A Grave

George Leroy Gerard married Mildred Laura McDougal, the daughter of Frank McDougal & Ida Page but did not have any children.

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courtesy of 56sc57 - Ancestry

John Cyril Gerard married Mabel Catherine Baird, the daughter of Samuel Baird & Augusta Sherlock; and they had 2 children – William & Viola. It appears Mabel and Viola died together in 1935 leaving John & William without a wife & mother.

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courtesy of Kristy Crocker - Ancestry

Felix E Gerard married a girl by the name of Rose Secoy, the daughter of Elisher Secoy & Lula Edwards; and they had 2 children – Vivian & Virginia

Wisconsin State Journal, 30 Mar 1971 Beloit - Felix Gerard, 69, died Saturday (Mar 27, 1971) in a hospital after a long illness. He was an area resident since 1955. He married Rose Secoy in 1937. She died in 1963. He was a retired laborer. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs Ronald Mittelsteadt and Mrs Vivian Streeter, both of Beloit; a brother, Fred, Friendship; a sister, Mrs Emma Holden, Pittsville; two stepsons, Dennie and Robert Abbott, both of Black River Falls; five stepdaughters, Mrs Margaret Scheiber, Black River Falls; Mrs Violet Reptar and Mrs Esther Odette, both of South Beloit, Ill;; and Mrs Shirley Draeving and Mrs Marion Vondrak, both of Beloit; and 11 grandchildren. The funeral will be at 2 pm Wednesday in Roseberry's Funeral Home, Friendship, where friends may call after 2 pm today and until the time of services Wednesday. 

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courtesy of Janet Marie - Find A Grave

Emma Ursula Gerard married William Holden, the son of Samuel Holden & Sarah Sharvano; they had a whopping 11 children! Marjorie, Cecelia, June, william, Kenneth, Genevieve, Donald, twins Norman & Norma, Wayne & John.

Marshfield News Herald, 7 May 1958
William Holden, 64, Route 1, Pittsville, died of a heart ailment early this morning at St. Joseph’s hospital, Marshfield. He had been in ill health the past six months. Funeral services will be held at St. Joachim’s Catholic Church in Pittsville, but the time is indefinite, pending word from the sons in service. The Rev. Joseph Marx will officiate and burial will be made in St. Leo’s Cemetery in Friendship. The body will lie in state at Rembs Funeral home. Mr. Holden was born at Red Wing, Minnesota, on October 1, 1894. He received his education in Friendship where he came as a small boy with his parents. He lived there until five years ago when he moved to a farm near Pittsville. He was married August 3, 1922, at Friendship to Emma Gerard who survives him. He was a veteran of World War I and a former school board director atfinally Friendship. Survivors include five daughters, Mrs. Meldon (Marjorie) Wasko, Hawaii; Mrs. Robert (Cecelia) Wentworth, Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Glenn (June) Smith, Chicago, Illinois; Mrs. Clinton (Genevieve) Stone, Grand Marsh, Wisconsin; Mrs. Cletus (Norma) Rogney, Auburndale; six sons, William Jr., Wisconsin Dells; Kenneth, Marshfield; Donald, Wisconsin Rapids; Sp-5 Norman, Germany; A-2c John, Nevada; Wayne, Pittsville; 12 grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Anthony Fleet, Waukesha; Mrs. Grover Arndt, Watertown; two brothers, Samuel, Nekoosa; and Bernard, Everett, Washington. One brother preceded him in death.

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courtesy of Janet Marie - Find A Grave

Ellery E Gerard married Ethel Marian Cordes, the daughter of Robert R Cordes & Ruby C Wilcox; and they had 4 children – Marian, Melvin, Louis & Robert

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, 2 Nov 1963

Ellery E Gerard, 55, Rt 2, town of Saratoga, died at 1:30 pm Friday at Riverview Hospital, where he had been admitted a few hours earlier. Funeral services will be held at 1 pm Tuesday at the United Church of Christ, Nekoosa, with the Rev Myron Glick officiating. Burial will be in White Cemetery. Mr Gerard was born March 23, 1908, in Adams County, the son of Mr and Mrs Frank Gerard. He married Ethel Cordes on Nov 26, 1936 at Coloma. For the past 13 years he was employed at Nekoosa-Edwards Paper Co. Surviving are his wife, two sons, Lewis in the Air Force in North Carolina, and Robert, Wisconsin Rapids; one daughter, Mrs Ward Panzer, Milwaukee; five brothers, Winn, Colma; George, Wisconsin Rapids; John, Adams; Felix, Beloit and Fred, Arkdale; and one sister, Mrs William Holden, Pittsville. His parents and one son preceded him in death. Friends may call at the Taylor Funeral Home from Monday noon until 11 am Tuesday and at the church at noon until time of services.

Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, 27 Feb 1939

Melvin, ten-months' old son of Mr and Mrs Ellery Gerard died at the home of his parents following a two weeks' illness. He is survived by his parents, one sister, and his grandparents, Mr and Mrs Robert Cordes.

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courtesy of Janet Marie - Find A Grave

Last but not least, Fred Alvin Gerard. He married Edna Marie Shafman, the daughter of Harvey Shafman & Flora McLaughlin; they had 4 children - a baby they lost in infancy, Eileen, Betty & Arthur

Widel Children

courtesy of Lowell Pankake - Find A Grave

After Rebecca Avis, Alfred Hall Widel & Eliza Jane Peck had Harvey Adam who was married twice and had three children.  There are some who indicate Harvey's middle names was Alfred, which might be possible, however, he signed the WWI draft card with Adam so that is the name I am going with till proven otherwise.

courtesy of Diane - Find A Grave

He first married Clara Edith Pierce, the daughter of Delouzon G Pierce & Mary Bates and their children were Elvie Gertrude & Wilbur Leigh and between them, the two gave Harvery & Clara 1o grandchildren! 

He then married Katherine Wallis, the daughter of John T Wallis & Emma J Lake and they had one child, Wallace Alfred Widel who gave Harvey another 6 grandchildren!

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The next child for Alfred & Eliza was Haley A Widel who married Allen Edward Boyer, the son of William Boyer & Agnes Eldaid. Together they had 4 children - Nellie, Evelyn, Arthur & Virgil.  

Odeboldt Chronicle, Thurs, 26 Nov 1903

Mrs Allen Boyer died November 15 at Alamosa, California, leaving a husband and three children. The deceased was a daughter of A Widel, one of the first settlers of this township.

courtesy of Robert Viguers - Find A Grave

After her death, Allen married 2 more times & died in Pennsylvania where he had relocated with his children.

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Daisy Delia Widel was next and she died a spinster.

Pocahonta Democrat, Thurs, 11 Oct 1906

courtesy of laed - Find A Grave

Miss Daisy Widel died at the home of her parents in Palmer, last Wednesday morning after a lingering illness. Deceased was thirty years old and had been a resident of Palmer for the past 11 years, coming to this vicinity with her parents. Although an invalid all her life, she possessed a very cheerful disposition which made her a friend of all those who knew her. The direct cause of her death was consumption, having been a sufferer of the disease the last year. Funeral services were conducted in the Methodist church Sunday afternoon, Rev Kamphofner delivering an excellent sermon. The remains were laid to rest in the cemetery at Gilmore city. Besides the sorrowing parents, four brothers and a sister, who all reside in this county are left to mourn her demise.

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Edgar Ellsworth Widel, the next son in the clan, is a bit of a mystery. There are several different birth years out there, 1883, 1886 & 1888; however, he was on the 1885 census with the family and the WWI draft card has 1883 so that is the year I went with.

He was married Etta Gesina Christoffers, the daughter of F Otto Christoffers & Etha Johnson and they had 5 children together - Alfred, Elsworth, Lavern, Eldred & one girl, Zitella.



What is strange, is that it appears he abandoned his family all together according to this 1942 draft card found on Ancestry  

Edgar died in 1945 in California.




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Lavern Gilbert Widel, Vern, married marion Janette Risdon, the daughter of Harrions L Risdon & Bonnie Heterington & had one son, Ronald Lee who was a bit of a Frisbee phe-nom.
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courtesy of DaveVangsness - Find A Grave

Eldred Otto Widel never married from the looks of it.

It appears he got caught with his brother Lavern for burglary - but then the silly guy escaped custody & had time added so he spent at least 5 years in jail in the 1930's.  

However he turned his life around & enlisted in 1942, was honorably discharged in 1945 & died in 1946.


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courtesy of Sibley County Historical Society and Museum/Henderson, MN

And finally the only girl, Zitella Irene Widel, she married Bennie August Henry Neubarth, the son of William Neubarth & Ida Klabunda.

Zitella & Ben had 4 children - Donald, Lea, David & Dwight.