Special Picture – Alfred Beck Guion – Grandpa’s Father – circa 1895

This is Alfred Beck  Guion, who passed away in 1899 of heart failure. He was a Stock Broker on Wall Street and the stress and uncertainty of the Market losses of his clients, and probably himself, caused quite a bit of stress. The picture was probably taken at the  Lincoln Avenue (Mount Vernon, New York) house. That house was quite remarkable at the time.  Alfred Beck Guion hired an architect to design the house and had his father-in-law,  Joseph Woodward Duryee, a New York Lumber Merchant, order the wood. Each room was finished in a different wood, Black Walnut, Cherry, Quartered Oak, etc. One room had a round exterior with curved window panes. A Jade Marble hearth, a stained glass window and black and white tile entryway added to the beauty.

Alfred Beck Guion

Tomorrow I will begin posting letters written in 1940. Lad is in Venezuela and Dan and Ced have been in Anchorage, Alaska, for several months.

Judy Guion

Special Picture – Ella Duryee Guion – circa 1900

This is Ella Duryee Guion, widow of Alfred Beck Guion, who passed away in 1899 of heart failure. He was a Stock Broker on Wall Street and the stress and uncertainty of the Market losses of his clients, and probably himself, caused quite a bit of stress. The picture is taken at the Dell Avenue (Mount Vernon, New York) house where the family moved after the sale of the Lincoln Avenue (Mount Vernon, New York) house. That house was quite remarkable at the time. Ella, Alfred Duryee Guion (Grandpa) and his sister, Elsie May Guion, lived here with three of Ella’s sisters.

Ella Duryee Guion

Tomorrow, a Special Picture of Alfred Beck Guion.

Judy Guion

Special Pictures – My Two Mothers – Marian (Irwin) Guion And Paulette (Van Laere) Guion

Today, I would like to pay special tribute to the two women who helped me become the woman I am today.

Marian Dunlap (Irwin) Guion, 1943

Marian Dunlap Irwin, Graduation from San Francisco State University, Elementary Education, 1937

Alfred Peabody Guion and Marian Dunlap Irwin Guion, Nov. 14, 1943

Lad and Marian met after Lad was transferred, in January, 1943, to Santa Anita Army Base, California, to instruct vehicle mechanics to Army recruits. Marian was the Director of the South Pasadena Camp Fire Girls and  a volunteer Hostess at the South Pasadena Hospitality Center. They were married  in November and Marian followed Lad to various other bases in the US as he continued training classes for the Army.

When Lad was sent to France, Marian drove across the country to move in with Grandpa (Alfred Duryee Guion) at the Trumbull House so she would be closer to Lad when he returned from France. in 1945. Ten months later, my twin brother and I were born.

Marian and Lad and their four children (I am the second from the right) from Grandpa’s 1955 Christmas Card.

Marian was a bright, vivacious and fun-loving woman with outstanding organization and people skills.  Her teaching career spanned most of her life. She started in a small country school.  In Trumbull, she was shocked to learn that there were no Public Kindergarten classes for my brother and me. She and her  best friend, Jeanne (Hughes) Hayden, (a member of “The Gang” that gathered at the Trumbull House as teenagers) , decided to set one up at our church, and the following year, my younger brother and Jeanne’s daughter, were members of the first class. The Kindergarten classes continued to grow but closed about ten years later when Trumbull added Kindergarten classes to their neighborhood schools. The church school had grown to five classes and eight teachers. When she and my Dad moved to California in 1966, she she began teaching again and was promoted to a position as a Mentor to new teachers. I also trained as an Elementary School Teacher and taught until my first child was born, but continued as a Substitute Teacher when my children entered school.

She made most of her own clothes and taught me how to sew. I inherited he keen eye for matching colors and her love of crafts. I even had my own business as a Juried Macrame artist, creating tables, chairs, large wall hangings and double and triple plant hangers.

A few of her favorite quotes:

“If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”

“Now Judy, it’s not the end of the world.”

“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Marian Dunlap (Irwin) Guion (at 85 yrs. old) and Alfred Peabody Guion., 1999

I had the privilege of spending her last year in this world with her in California, caring for her. It was a blessing for both of us.

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My Second Mother, Paulette Jeanne (Van Laere) Guion, came to me from France after she married my uncle, Daniel Beck Guion.

Paulette Jeanne Van Laere,  circa 1945

Paulette Jeanne Van Laere circa 1945

Daniel Beck Guion and Paulette Jeanne (Van Laere) Guion, July 17, 1945

Dan met Paulette’s parents because of a suggestion by a fellow Army buddy who told him to look up Madame and Monsieur Senechal at their pharmacy in Calais, while he was stationed in France. Paulette was out visiting friends the first time he stopped by. It was several more visits to the family before he met their daughter, Paulette. He continued to visit because he enjoyed the company of her parents and was getting to know Paulette. They were married in July of 1945 while Dan was still in the Army. Their time together was sporadic but they discover that Paulette was carrying their first child and knew that Paulette could not travel to the United States in her condition. Dan was discharged from the Army but was hired as a Civilian Contractor to survey American Cemeteries across Europe. Their daughter was not allowed to travel to Trumbull until after she was six months old, so their trip was again delayed. They were finally able to make arrangements in December, 1946 and arrived in Trumbull a few days after Christmas. The transition was quite a challenge for Paulette, having left her family, friends and her homeland to come here with Dan and their infant.

Paulette Jeanne (Van Laere) Guion with me during the summer of 1947. Aunt Chiche was a strong and courageous woman with an impish sense of humor. She raised six children, the oldest, Arla,  was only six weeks older than me and we have been best friends since we met. Dan and Paulette had  quite an extensive, having 6 children, 16 grandchildren and, I think, 19 great-grandchildren.

She had extraordinary decorating skills, using dried flowers from their garden throughout their home. She was an excellent seamstress, even making my Maid of Honor dress and the bridesmaids dresses for her oldest daughter’s wedding (and probably many more that I am unaware of) but also making my Wedding dress. She actually taught me how to knit. I could not figure it out because I was left handed and my Mom knitted as a right-hander. Aunt Chiche figured out that if we sat opposite each other, she could knit right-handed but I would be watching from the opposite direction and could mimic what she was doing.  She and I knitted throughout our lives. I am sure she knitted hundreds of gifts for her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren over the years.

Dan and Paulette (Chiche) with their six children, taken from Grandpa’s  1955 Christmas Card.

Whenever I was having a problem or was upset, she was the mother I turned to. She was understanding and a great listener. As a teenager, a group of neighborhood girls would gather in her dining room for coffee and discussion. She was always a part of the conversation.

Her interests outside of the family were quite varied. She was active in the church, and enjoyed Ceramics (I have numerous examples that she had made for me over the years). She kept in touch with her family by phone and made several trips to France over the years. Her parents also visited here on two occasions. 

Paulette Jeanne (Van Laere) Guion (at 91 years old), December, 2015

I feel very blessed to have had two extraordinary women in my life  as MOTHERS. They were the best. I love them and miss each one of them.

Tomorrow I will begin posting letters written in April of 1943. Lad has been in California for about 3 months and his last letter home mentioned a particular girl, but not by name.

Judy Guion

Guion Family Reunion – 1992

The following pictures were taken at our Guion Family Reunion in 1992, at the Trumbull House. There are pictures of each family unit and also of each generation. I hope you enjoy them.

Alfred Peabody Guion, Marian (Irwin) Guion, their children and grandchildren. Lad and Marian are on the left in the second row from the bottom. I am in the back row, third from the left.

Daniel Beck Guion, Paulette (Chiche) (Van Laere) Guion and their children and grandchildren. Paulette (Chiche) and Dan are in the second row from the bottom,  second and third from the left.

Cedric Duryee Guion, Fannie (Pike) Guion, their children and grandchildren. Ced and Fannie are in the front row, second and fourth from the left.

Elizabeth Westlin (Guion) Zabel and Raymond (Zeke) Zabel with their children and grandchildren. Elizabeth is in the front row, second from the left and Raymond is in the second row, second from the left.

Richard Peabody Guion, Jean (Mortensen) Guion, their children and grandchildren. Dick is all the way to the right and Jean is second from the left, holding their youngest grandchild in her lap.

David Peabody Guion, Eleanor (Kintop) Guion, their children and grandchildren. Dave and Eleanor are  in the back row, third and fourth from the left.

Alfred Duryee Guion and Arla Mary (Peabody) Guion’s children. Left to right: Alfred Peabody Guion, Daniel Beck Guion, Cedric Duryee Guion, Elizabeth (Guion) Zabel, Richard Peabody Guion and David Peabody Guion. 

Alfred Duryee Guion and Arla Mary (Peabody) Guion’s twenty-one grandchildren. I am in the back row, third from the right.

Alfred Duryee Guion and Arla Mary (Peabody) Guion’s great-grandchildren, twenty-nine at this date. There are 36 great-grandchildren now., 63 great-great-grandchildren and  two great-great-great-grandchild.  Our family continues to grow.

Beginning tomorrow and for the rest of the week, I will be posting letters written in 1943. This will be a momentous year for Lad.

Judy Guion

Special Pictures – My Grandfather and Grandmother Irwin

Mowry Addison Irwin is the only child  of Addison Mowry Irwin, who wrote the note to Carrie Snaman.

This is the only picture of my Grandparents. My Grandmother came to visit us in Trumbull shortly after my brother and I were born in 1946, and that was the only time she came. My Grandfather passed away before I was a year old. 

Marian Edith (Rider) Irwin and Mowry Addison Irwin, November 14, 1943

Mowry Addison Irwin,  Marian Edith (Rider) Irwin, Marian Dunlap (Irwin) Guion, Alfred Peabody Guion

November 14, 1943, Lad and Marian’s wedding in her parent’s back yard, in Orinda, California.

The following is taken from a letter I received from my Mom’s sister, Margaret Edith (Irwin) Mitchell Sedberry, She told me it was from a death notice in a California newspaper dated May 10, 1947.

Mowry Addison Irwin was a prominent Civic  leader of Orinda, California. A resident of Berkeley for 10 years. Mr. Irwin and his family moved to Orinda seven years ago. He was President last year and a Director this year of the Orinda Association and was instrumental in helping to start the Orinda News, a community newspaper. He was employed by the Westinghouse Wholesale Sales Co.

Tomorrow, more Special Pictures.

Judy Guion

Special Pictures – Great-Grandpa and Great-Grandma Peabody

Continuing with pictures of my ancestors, these two are the parents of Arla Mary (Peabody) Guion, who married Alfred Peabody Guion, my Grandpa.

 

Kemper Peabody, Grandma Arla’s Father

Anna Charlotta (Westlin) Peabody, Grandma Arla’s Mother

 

Arla Mary Peabody and her father, Kemper Peabody, in 1911, just 2 years before she married Alfred Duryee Guion (Grandpa)

Arla Mary (Peabody) Guion and Alfred Duryee Guion, on their honeymoon in Bermuda in 1913

Tomorrow, more Special Pictures.

Judy Guion

Trumbull – Dear Elsie – Family History Concerning Our Grandmother – Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion (5) – July 8, 1940

This letter from Grandpa to his sister, Elsie May Guion, included news of the death and funeral of a close family friend which I will not include, and the very interesting Biography of their Grandmother, Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion. The story begins with Clara’s Grandmother, Juana Cadoret and will fill the entire week.

About three years after his marriage (to Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck), Mr. Guion entered the ministry of the Episcopal Church, and many years later, while living in Louisiana, where much of their married life was spent, he became a Chaplain in the U.S. Army. His wife did not discontinue her teaching, and many years were spent in the school room either as his assistant or as a governess or as the head of a boarding school for young ladies.

Alfred Beck Guion, my great-grandfather

11 children were born to them – John Beck (Oct. 14, 1840), Clara Beck (Dec. 14, 1842), Josephine Beck (Dec. 15, 1843), Elijah Beck (Dec. 6, 1845), Adolphus Beck ((Oct. 3, 1847), Covington Beck (July 24, 1849),  Elizabeth Beck (Aug. 23, 1850),  Johanna Beck (Oct. 14, 1852), Alfred Beck (Sept. 23,1853), Almira Beck (Dec. 21, 1855) and George Beck, who died in infancy. Each child received for his second name that of Beck. John, Johanna and George died in infancy. Adolphus grew to manhood and died. Covington, when he was four years old, fell out of his bed and became blind. The other children married and became parents.

On 19 October, 18__, Mme. (Josephine) de Beck passed away in New York City. A great celebration was being held in honor of the opening of the Croton Waterworks. As she lay dying she heard the sound of a clarinet beautifully played. Calling her daughter, she said “Clara, do you hear that clarinet? That is your father playing that.” The poor wandering mind had gone back to the happy days of her youth with the beloved husband from whom she was no longer to be separated.

In 1874 Mr. Guion’s health failing him, his wife went to California to become a teacher in St. Mary’s Hall – a large church boarding school for young ladies in Benicia. Her husband soon followed her. While there, she was reunited with her brother Adolphus Gustavos de Beck) whom she had not seen since the early days of her married life. At that time he went from Cuba to the United States where he made his home, dying in California soon after his meeting with his sister, leaving two children, Mercedita and Francis Edwin.

Mr. Guion and his wife finally went to New Almaden, where he died January 17, 1879.

Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion

At the present time (Christmas, 1893) his wife, my grandmother is still living.

She died February 15, 1896 and her grandchildren will remember her as an extraordinary woman, accomplished to an extraordinary degree, skilled in cooking, needlework, teaching, a fine linguist, a better pianist, with a voice, which, when in its prime, was second only to the finest singers of her generation and which has yet by no means lost its strength and sweetness.

Back through the years of a long life she can look and note its many and great changes. The petted and only daughter of a wealthy Spanish family, the wife of a humble American clergyman, the mother of a large and widely scattered family, ending her days among a few of her children on the extreme western coast of the United States – the land of her adoption – the dearly loved country of her many descendants.

Tomorrow and Sunday, I will post more of the Early Years with the Memories of Elizabeth Westlin (Guion) Zabel.

Judy Guion

 

Trumbull – Dear Elsie – Family History Concerning Our Grandmother – Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion (4) – July 8, 1940

This letter from Grandpa to his sister, Elsie May Guion, included news of the death and funeral of a close family friend which I will not include, and the very interesting Biography of their Grandmother, Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion. The story begins with Clara’s Grandmother, Juana Cadoret and will fill the entire week.

The page of the Journal where Clara’s marriage to Elijah Guion

A sketch of the marriage Certificate and a Bible

She (Josephine de Beck) was a wealthy woman and henceforth her life, as well as her mother’s (Juana Cadoret), was devoted to her two children. Their home was furnished with every luxury and the children were surrounded with all the evidence of wealth and refinement. Mme. Cadoret was already of great culture and dignity and her influence upon her grandchildren was not small.

When little Clara was five years of age she fell one day while playing, and fractured one of the bones in her ankle. Before she had recovered she was seized with the measles and all of the humor of the disease seemed to center itself in the wounded ankle. For seven years the child was entirely unable to walk. The wound was treated most severely causing her, at many times, great agony. She was strapped to a cot while the wound was burned with caustic until, at last, a hole was formed which reached through the bone, but all treatment was unavailing and the physicians told her mother that amputation was all that was left.

To this, Mme. de Beck would not consent, and when a trip to America was suggested, she seized the idea at once and brought the child to the United States where, in about a year, she recovered the use of her foot. During all this time her education had not been neglected. She was taught with great care and was lifted from her sofa to the piano stool to practice when her health would permit.

A lawsuit had been pending when Mme. de Beck left Cuba. This was decided against her and she lost her wealth. She had been boarding in the school where Clara was a pupil, and the latter now gave lessons in the school to support herself and her mother.

After some time had elapsed she met a gentleman,  and an attachment was formed. Her mother forbade the engagement without giving a reason. Clara, while acceding to her mother’s wishes, could not remain with her.

The page in the Journal where Clara’s marriage is recorded

A sketch of the Marriage Certificate and a Bible

She (Clara) offered herself as a teacher in a large school, was accepted and arrangements were made for her to enter upon her duties at once. The principal promised to send his secretary, Mr. Elijah Guion (my great-grandfather)  to escort her to the school. Claira then told her mother of her plans and although her mother entreated her to withdraw from the agreement, it was too late. At the appointed time she was met by Mr. Guion, escorted to the school and there she began her work. In the course of time Mr. Guion won her consent to accompany him upon the journey through life and on January 2, 1840 they were married in New York.

Tomorrow, the final portion of this journal, which has recorded some of the major life events of three fascinating and courageous women.

Judy Guion

Trumbull – Dear Elsie – Family History Concerning Our Grandmother – Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion (3) – July 8, 1940

This letter from Grandpa to his sister, Elsie May Guion, included news of the death and funeral of a close family friend which I will not include, and the very interesting Biography of their Grandmother, Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion. The story begins with Clara’s Grandmother, Juana Cadoret and will fill the entire week.

Meanwhile, Josephine had met with many changes. After the departure of her brothers and sisters, she became friendly with a fellow student, Celestine Montalon and her mother. Celestine was the daughter of a wealthy planter whose plantation was in the suburbs of Baltimore, and the granddaughter of Mme. Le Masurier. The family became much attached to Josephine, who was a highly educated girl and a great favorite. She sang and played well and gave lessons in the school. When Celestine finished school, her friend was invited to go with her to her home which she did.

Shortly after her arrival she heard, one evening, a clarinet beautifully played. In reply to her query Mme.  Montalon told her that the player was a gentleman named de Beck, whom she would take the pleasure of presenting to Josephine. This she did, when in a few days he called upon Mme. Montalon. He inquired of his hostess as to the singer whose sweet voice he had heard, and was presented to Mlle. Cadoret.

The mutual love of music soon drew the young couple together and their engagement took place. When calling on his lady love one evening, Mons. de Beck told her that he had brought her a musical instrument and, laughing at her look of surprise, for he had entered the house empty handed, he drew from his pocket a tiny guitar, about 5 inches in length, beautifully inlaid and ornamented, which upon opening, proved to be a needle case.

Sketch of the tiny needle case

After a short engagement the young people were married, and Mlle. Cadoret became Mme. Adolphus Emmanuel de Beck. Her husband was born in Germany about 1785, his father’s family living in Berlin or in Hamburg. At the time of his marriage Mons. de Beck was a merchant, a member of a firm doing business in Baltimore and in Havana. His partner had charge of the house is Havana but Mons. de Beck, knowing his wife’s desire to be with her mother, succeeded in effecting a change by which his partner came to Baltimore and Mons. de Beck was able to make his home in Cuba.

They embarked for Havana when their only son, Adolphus  Gustavus, was four months old. When the ship was opposite the coast of Georgia it was shot upon and stopped by pirates who boarded the vessel. The captain calmed the passengers who were half dead with fright, bade them secrete their jewels and invited the ladies to assist him in entertaining their unwelcome guests. He spread before them a sumptuous meal and treated them so well that they left the ship and passengers unharmed and went their way. Mons. de Beck and his family reached Cuba in safety and he was able to make the acquaintance of his mother-in-law.

When their little son was 2 1/2 years old, a daughter was born, July 18, 1819 (my  Great Grandmother, Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion).

Among the many names, that of Dolores was given her as a complement to her godmother, the wife of Mons. Facon.

When the child, Clara, was 20 months old, her father was one day playing the Piccolo, a small flute, the playing of which was very trying to his lungs. His wife was standing behind him when his head fell against her, and she saw blood flowing from his mouth. Assistance was in vain, he had broken a blood vessel and in a short time Mme. de Beck was a widow.

Tomorrow and Friday, I will continue the fascinating story of my Great Grandmother, Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion.

Judy Guion

Trumbull – Dear Elsie – Family History Concerning Our Grandmother – Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion (2) – July 8, 1940

This letter from Grandpa to his sister, Elsie May Guion, included news of the death and funeral of a close family friend which I will not include, and the very interesting Biography of their Grandmother, Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion. The story begins with Clara’s Grandmother, Juana Cadoret and will fill the entire week.

Her three sons had been sent to England before their father’s arrest, to be educated. Lorenzo, the eldest, was studying for the Ministry in the Church of England. Francis began the study of medecine, but the sight of blood always caused him to faint, and he was obliged to give up his studies.

A ship was bought, named by the new owners “Les Trois Soeurs”, and placed in the charge of a friendly captain. The vessel narrowly escaped being seized by the government, but the six children succeeded in reaching it with the governess without being detected. The vessel at once left port and the unfortunate family had soon bid adieu forever to their native land.

Sketch of the Island in the Journal

The voyage was begun in time for them to reach Cuba in the fall before the yellow fever should begin. They were delayed, however, by contrary winds, and when about three leagues from the island of Las Noevitas, in the old Bahama Channel, they met stormy weather. The passengers awoke one morning to find the vessel on one side. A strong wind from the Gulfstream arose every day and there was every prospect that the vessel would capsize. The passengers took their clothing and jewels, and were placed in a small boat, with biscuits and water, and rowed to the island. It was inhabited only by wild animals, to avoid which they climbed the trees. They hoisted a flag of distress, and on the morning of the third day, discovered a sail. They experienced great anxiety lest their signal should not be seen, but it was noticed and the vessel came to their rescue. She proved to be an American ship from New York, bound for Cuba. The captain –Hicks – treated them with Christian kindness, set a sumptuous table for them, and landed them safely in Cuba where Juana Cadoret gladly welcomed her children whom she had given up for lost. The voyage had taken six months and they had arrived in the midst of the dreaded yellow fever season.

The mother at once sent them with their governess to Philadelphia where the girls were placed in a boarding school on Chestnut Street. A week after their arrival, Frederick, the youngest son, was assassinated in the street, being mistaken for someone else. The two oldest girls, with their governess, disliked the climate and were dissatisfied and unhappy, and at the end of six months the whole family, with the exception of Josephine, returned to Cuba. They scarcely landed before the governess and the two young men, the older of whom was about 24, died of yellow fever. The sisters were smitten with the fever, but recovered. Afterwards, Katrine married Mons. Noel ______, a French physician, who died leaving her two children, Hypolyte who followed in his father’s profession, and Roseline.

Jane (Jeanne) married a Spanish gentleman, who rendered her life miserable because of his mad jealousy of her beauty. At the end of four or five years he was obliged to be away from his wife for a few hours, and having finished his business, started for home, in spite of a furious storm, so fearful was he to leave his wife alone. When but a few miles from his home he was struck by lightning and killed. His rider less horse reached home and a search was made for his master, whose lifeless body was discovered on the ground.

Tomorrow and for the rest of the week, I will continue the story of three remarkable women, my Great Grandmother, Clara Maria de los Delores Marina de Beck Guion, her Mother, Josephine (Cadoret) de Beck and her Grandmother, Juana Cadoret.

Judy Guion