Friday, March 1, 2024

THE FATHER OF THE EVANSTON WATER WORKS - Charles Judson Gilbert

When I was growing up in Evanston, Illinois, there was only one Evanston "newspaper," the Evanston Review.  It was a very popular publication.  It reported a very large amount of local news and everyone I knew subscribed.  Now that it is owned by Tribune Publications it has become more of a paper covering events on the North Shore, instead of just Evanston, and frankly it is over-loaded with advertisements.  I don't know anyone who subscribes to the Evanston Review anymore. 

In addition to the Evanston Review I am aware of two other Evanston newspapers: Evanston Now, and the one I prefer, The Evanston RoundTable.  One of the reasons I prefer the RoundTable is that it often features articles about Evanston's history - and let's fact it, Evanston has ALOT of history.  A recent blurb in the Roundtable section "Around the Web" said the following:


Now that sounded interesting.  A click on the link brought me to the article Chicago Magazine did on 1812 Asbury being for sale.  Although my mind is filled with useless trivia on the history of Evanston, I could not come up with the name of the first village president.  The article told me that his name was Charles J. Gilbert.  Here is a picture of Gilbert and a photo of the house:


1812 Asbury Avenue, Evanston, Illinois

I recognized the house immediately as I'm sure anyone from Evanston did.  But even though Evanston history is a hobby of mine, I had never heard of Charles J. Gilbert and know nothing about him.  So this month I will tell you the story of Evanston's first Village President, Charles J. Gilbert.

Charles Judson Gilbert was born in April of 1829 in Lima, New York, the son of  Eralsamon Gilbert (1802-1877) and Keziah Leavenworth (1805-1895).  Eralsamon and Keziah were married October 27, 1827 in Rush, New York.  The groom was twenty-five; the bride was twenty-two.  Eralsamon Gilbert was a boot and shoe maker by trade.

Eralsamon and Keziah had four children altogether: three sons and a daughter.  They were: Charles Judson (1829-1900), Daniel H. (1833-1896), William Curtiss (1843-1924) and Mary Jane (1845-1892).   

On February 8, 1858 Charles Judson Gilbert married Jane Lucinda Goodridge Hedges (1834-1888) in Lansing, Michigan.  The groom was twenty-nine; the bride was twenty-three.  

Jane Goodridge, called "Jennie" came from an illustrious line descended from William Goodridge who came to America from England in 1636.  Jennie's parents were Allen Goodridge (1806-1891) and Lucinda Lauretta Ransom (1812-1899) Allen and Lucinda Goodridge had seven children:  Jane Lucinda "Jennie"/Mrs. Charles Gilbert (1834-1888), Moses Hale (1835-1893), Helen Laurette (1839-1839),  Ellen Clarissa "Nellie"/Mrs. Edward F. Queen (1840-1870), Cynthia Sophia (1845-1848), Mary Abiah "Molly"/Mrs. John W. Clampitt (1842-1910) and Frederick Ransom (1849-1923).

Allen Goodridge was in the mercantile trade.  Allen and Lucinda were followers of Emanuel Swedenborg in his Church of the New Jerusalem ("The Swedenborgians")..     

Jennie had been previously married to Charles A. Hedges in 1853.  He died in 1854.

Charles and Jennie had a total of five children:  Wyllis Allen (1858-1860), Elia Leavenworth/Mrs. Walter Smith Williams (1861-1942), Charles Ransom (1863-1938),  Frederic William (1866-1941), and Arthur Eralsamon (1873-1893). 

The newlyweds settled in St. Louis, Missouri where Charles was in the Grain Commission business.  His business partner was E. O. Stannard who went on to become the governor of Missouri.  

Charles and Jennie were blessed with a son, Wyllis Allen Gilbert on November 30, 1858.

The 1860 US Census shows the Gilbert family living in the 4th Ward of the City of St. Louis, Missouri.  The family consisted of:  Charles J. Gilbert (31 years old), Jane A. (26), and Willis A. (2).  They also had a Servant living with them, Mary Satright from Ireland (24).  Charles Gilbert listed his occupation as "Merchant."  He said he had Personalty valued at $3,000.00 ($110,872.00 in today's funds).  The Real Estate they owned was in his wife's name, and was valued at $6,000.00 ($221,744.00 today).  She also reported Personalty of $600.00 ($22,174.00 today).  

Unfortunately, Wyllis Allen Gilbert died September 18, 1860 just short of his second birthday.  He is buried in an unmarked grave in the Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis in the Elks Section, Block 71, Lot 997. 

Photo courtesy of Find a Grave Volunteer Randal Nichoalds


When the Civil War broke out, Charles and Jennie moved to Chicago where Charles could better conduct his business as Commission Merchant. 

Here is an advertisement for Gilbert, Miles and Stannard from the Chicago Tribune of May 24, 1861 that shows that they were conducting business from Chicago as well as St. Louis:



The second child and only daughter of Charles and Jennie was Elia Leavenworth Gilbert (1861-1942), born on November 22, 1861 in Chicago.   

By 1863 J.R. Miles had left the partnership and had been replaced by G.W. Updike.  This is from the Chicago Tribune of  July 6, 1863:


On August 08, 1863, another son was born to Charles and Jennie:  Charles Ransom Gilbert (1863-1938) was born in Chicago.

Under the heading of "Don't believe everything you read on the Internet":  Some sources report that Charles' middle name was "Eralsamon."  Although that unusual name shows up several times in the Gilbert family tree, Charles' middle name was "Ransom" as indicated on his tombstone.  Further, some sources list Charles as "Jr."  The father's name was "Charles Judson Gilbert" and the son was named "Charles Ransom Gilbert," so no "Jr." designation is appropriate.  It's always better to double-check "facts" when doing genealogical research.  That would keep an lot of erroneous information off of family trees.  

One of the reasons that Charles J. Gilbert wanted to move to Chicago was that Chicago was the home of the famous Chicago Board of Trade.  Always well-liked and personable, by 1864 Charles Gilbert was standing for election as Second Vice President of the Board of Trade on the "Board of Trade Ticket" as reported by the Chicago Tribune of April 04, 1864:


On April 5, 1864 the Tribune reported that Charles J. Gilbert had been elected.  Note the comments about Gilbert in the second-last paragraph as well:


On January 13, 1865 the Chicago Tribune announced that Charles J. Gilbert had been elected to the Board of Directors of the Fifth National Bank in Chicago.



Being an astute businessman, Charles J. Gilbert knew that as soon as the Civil War ended the US economy would grow by leaps-and-bounds as the reunited country rebuilt everything that had been lost during the war.  The Chicago Tribune reported on  March 30, 1865 that C.J. Gilbert was President and Member of the Board of Directors of The Garden City Petroleum, Mining and Manufacturing Company of Chicago:



And on May 22, 1865 the Tribune announced that C.J. Gilbert was a Director of the Provident Life Insurance and Investment Company:



On November 29, 1866 another son, Frederick William Gilbert (1866-1941) was born in Chicago.

There seems to conflicting information as to when Charles J. Gilbert moved to Evanston.  Virtually every source about him, including his obituaries, say he moved to Evanston in 1868.  However, the Chicago, Illinois Civic Directory for 1867 shows that although he maintained his business in Chicago, his residence was in Evanston.  His first residence in Evanston was on the south side of Church Street, east of Hinman.  

The 1870 US Census finds the Gilbert Family living in Evanston, Illinois.  The Census Enumerator was the well-known Evanstonian Philo Judson Beveridge.  The Gilbert family consisted of Charles (41 years old), Jane (35), Elia (8), Charles (6) and Frederick (3).  They were also able to afford two domestic servants:  Ellen McNally (19), and Mary Roman (22) - both from Ireland.  Charles listed his occupation as "Grain Dealer"; Jane was "Keeping House."  Elia and Charles were in school.  Charles reported Real Estate worth $100,000.00 ($2.34 million in today's funds) and personalty in the amount of $40,000.00 ($967,000.00 in today's funds).

From the very beginning of his time living in Evanston, Charles Gilbert felt is was his duty to get involved in local politics - especially to get the things done that would make Evanston a modern, thriving city.  

One project especially dear to Gilbert was a Water Works for Evanston.   Here's what the Chicago Evening Post reported about that on July 6, 1872:


The residents of Evanston had voted down the prospect of incorporating as a city in 1869, but when it was presented to the voters again on October 19, 1872 Charles J. Gilbert became intimately involved.  He felt that incorporation was vital to Evanston's future, so he ran for Village Trustee on a platform to build a municipal water works.  This time the citizens approved incorporation not as a city but as a village by a vote of 104 to 37 and Gilbert was elected the first President of the Board of Trustees of the newly-organized Village of Evanston.  

In addition to a water works, Gilbert lobbied constantly for Evanston to purchase its own fire engine.  In October of 1872 the memories of the Great Chicago Fire of October, 1871 were fresh in everyone's mind.  Charles J. Gilbert thought for sure that Evanston was facing its own great conflagration when several buildings caught fire on October 15, 1872 and Gilbert wired this message to Chicago Fire Headquarters at 4:00 AM:

Send one fire engine and hose pipe half mile.  Town burning up.
C.J. Gilbert, Prest. Trustees

He sheepishly sent a follow up wire at 5:00 AM:

Does not seem necessary for your engine now.
     C. J. Gilbert

In 1872, in addition to his civic duties, Gilbert was elected to the Committee of Appeals of the Chicago Board of Trade, and in 1873 Gilbert served as a Director of the Peoples Loan and Savings Bank:



On February 21, 1873, the Gilbert's fourth son and last child, Arthur Eralsamon Gilbert (1873-1893) was born in Evanston.  

The Water Works issue, as well as other matters of note was still being discussed by the Evanston Board of Trustees as indicated by this article from the Chicago Tribune of April 3, 1873.



The debate continued and the Trustees decided to put the water works matter to a vote as indicated by this article from the Chicago Tribune from April 15, 1873.  Note that C.J. Gilbert was running on the "For Water Works" ticket:



The water works was finally approved in February of 1874, and construction was complete by the Spring of 1875.  In appreciation for his tireless work on behalf of a municipal water works, the first pump was named the C. J. Gilbert.  He was also instrumental in the development of the first sewer system in Evanston.

The water works was financed through the sale of stock - 1500 shares at $50.00 each.  Subscription to the shares was brisk although it was noted by the Chicago Evening Mail on September 3, 1872 that "...nor has the university (Northwestern) subscribed for any appreciable amount of the stock."  Some things never change.  Perhaps Evanston should have sold the naming rights to the new water works.

Charles J. Gilbert served two terms as Village President:  1872-74 and 1875-76.  His popularity for elected office was surprising because Gilbert was a Democrat, and in those days Evanston was a bastion of the Republican Party.

In 1874, the house at 1812 Asbury was built, although its address under the old numbering system when built was 816 Asbury.  There is some disagreement surrounding the origins of the house.  Some sources say the house was built "by Gilbert," and other sources say it was built "for Gilbert."  I tend to believe the latter to be true because even though Gilbert was deeply involved in real estate, there is no indication that he was ever a builder or even capable of building a house of that size and scope.   

The house is magnificent to say the least.  It is said to be a copy of "Belle Grove" Plantation House in Louisiana.  There is a resemblance:

Belle Grove
1812 Asbury

It has obviously changed from when Gilbert owned it, but just to give you a taste here is today's description:

Magnificent 1874 Estate Home with almost 10,000 square feet of living space on over 3/4 acre. Once in a generation opportunity to own this stunning home and grounds in premier designated Evanston landmark location originally built for the first president of the Evanston Village Board, John (sic) Gilbert. You are greeted by a brick front porch spanning the entire width of the house. Timeless details throughout including 8 total fireplaces.  Grand living room with 14' ceilings. Family room with gas fireplace. Formal dining room. The breakfast room off the kitchen overlooks the glorious, landscaped yard. Elegant primary suite with private bathroom. Three more generous bedrooms, bathroom, office, exercise room, large balcony and an open porch the entire width of the house complete the second floor. Expansive third floor has a recreation/play room, billiards room, living room, small kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. The lower level has a separate suite with kitchen/bedroom/living room, another bedroom, bathroom and abundant storage. Stunning professional landscaping.  Fabulous location.  

Just in case you are tempted, the current asking price is $1.8 million and the annual real estate taxes run $38,000.00.

A fitting home for Charles J. Gilbert, said to be "one of the wealthiest men in the Village."

Gilbert's father Eralsalmon Gilbert died on October 16, 1877 in Evanston.  He was seventy-five years old.  Here is his Death Notice from the Chicago Inter Ocean of October 16, 1877:


He is buried in the family plot in Rosehill Cemetery:




The 1880 US Census finds the Charles Gilbert family living in the Village of Evanston, Illinois.  The family consisted of:  Charles J. (51 years old), Jane (46), Elia (18), Charles (16), Fred (14), and Arthur (7).  In addition there was niece O. Mamie Queen (17), mother Keziah Gilbert (76), and sister Jane Gilbert (38).  Charles said he was a "Grain Commissioner," Jane was "House Keeping," and the children were in school.  No occupation was presented for Keziah or Jane.  The 1880 Census contained a category called "Sick."  Charles Gilbert indicated to the census taker that he was "sick" without providing any details. 

Late in 1880 Charles Gilbert left the Board of Trade and all his future efforts were applied to real estate.  He became especially interested in real estate development.  He laid out the Mont Joie subdivision in Evanston - 30 acres in the vicinity of Emerson and Wesley and even directed where each tree should be planted in the subdivision.  You can see the Mont Joie subdivision on this plat of the area along with where Gilbert's own home was at 816 Asbury - under the old numbering system:


   
Here is one of the ads Gilbert ran about Mont Joie from the Chicago Tribune:


Charles J. Gilbert's wife, Jane "Jennie" Lucinda Goodridge Gilbert died at Evanston, Illinois on March 3, 1888.  She was fifty-three years old, and had been ill for some time.

Here is her Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of March 5, 1888:


She too is buried in the family plot, Section 2, Lot 3 of Rosehill Cemetery:




The Evanston Index Newspaper printed a front-page tribute to Jane Gilbert in their edition of March 10, 1888:

To Better Lands Above.

Last Saturday death came almost as a welcome friend and brought relief from many years of suffering to Jennie Lucinda Gilbert, the beloved wife of Charles J. Gilbert, one of the old residents of Evanston.  She was the daughter of Allen and Lauretta Ransom Goodridge,  and was born at East Townsend, Vt., August 15, 1834.  She leaves surviving and mourning the loss of her they so dearly loved, a husband and four children.  Bred in the beautiful faith of the symbolic church of the New Jerusalem, her life was beautiful in the extreme.  She was one of the purest, whitest souls with whom God has blessed the earth.  Surrounded by the comforts and elegancies of life her heart and hand were ever reaching out to those whom misfortune had made sufferers.  She was gentle and unostentatious in the multitude of her charitable deeds.  In her own home circle, she was the bright angel who shed the soft radiance of her love, tenderness and sympathy upon all.  The glory of her womanhood was as splendid as her life was pure and spotless.  Passing through nature to eternity she wore the robes of queenly duty.  Her's was a life of devotion to children and husband.  And now that she has withdrawn like a star from his mortal eye, each idea of her life will creep sweetly to his imagination more precious and beautiful to the prospect of his soul than when she lived on earth.  It pleased Providence to permit great pain and suffering to encompass her closing years.  With Christian fortitude she bore in till death came - the gentle end of her human sorrows.  We love the sacred dust, but we love the beautiful life still more.  The load of care and the cup of sorrow has passed from her, and the voice of love and the song of gladness greets her spirit life.  Perennial flowers bloom in her pathway, and God's sunshine lights her way forever.  The beauty of spring, the splendor of summer, the glory of autumn and the uncrowned majesty of winter are all mingled into one endless day of light and love.  Night has covered her with its stars, but morning has broken with heaven's earliest light.

Beyond the parting and the meeting
I shall be soon;
Beyond the farewell and the greeting,
Beyond the pulse's fever-beating,
I shall be soon.
Love, rest, and home! Sweet hope!
Lord, tarry not, but come.

Beyond the frost-chain and the fever
I shall be soon;
Beyond the rock-waste and the river,
Beyond the ever and the never,
I shall be soon.
Love, rest, and home! Sweet hope!
Lord, tarry not, but come.

Mrs. Gilbert's illness dates back from her return from the Centennial celebration in 1876.  While in Philadelphia, stopping at a house filled with sewer gas, she contracted a disease that developed into typhoid fever, completely wrecking her constitution.  She lived through a term of thirty-seven days, a time almost without precedent without nourishment.  Apoplexy was said to be the final cause of her decease.       

The funeral services, which were conducted by the Rev. L. P. Mercer, pastor on the New Church Temple, Chicago, weer held at the family residence on Asbury Avenue at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon, and were witnessed by a large assemblage of mourning friends.  The pall-bearers were Messers. Thomas Lord, H. B. Hurd, J. M. Lyons, H. W. Hinsdale, George W. Muir, and J. R. Fitch. 

It appears that living in the house he had shared with his late wife was too painful for Charles Gilbert.  Evanston City Directories for 1889 and 1890 show Charles Gilbert as a Boarder in the Avenue House Hotel in downtown Evanston.  

Charles J. Gilbert married for the second time in Manhattan, New York on April 29, 1890 to Charlotte E. Dwyer.  The groom was sixty-one; the bride was fifty.

Charlotte E. Mish (1839-1904) was born November 19, 1839 in Pennsylvania.  She was the widow of Edward P. Dwyer, a wholesale druggist.

Charles J. Gilbert sold the magnificent home at 816 (1812) Asbury to patent attorney James H. Raymond in May of 1892.  The sale was so noteworthy that it even made the Chicago Tribune of May 22, 1892:





Why did Gilbert sell the idyllic home he had had built in 1874?  He hadn't lived there since his wife died in 1888.  Perhaps there were too many memories of his late wife.  Or perhaps he did not need all that room, as his children grew up and moved out of the homestead.  Or perhaps the second Mrs. Gilbert did not like living in the shadow of the first Mrs. Gilbert.  Of course that is all speculation but the fact remains that the house was sold in 1892.   

Charles Gilbert's youngest son, Arthur Eralsamon Gilbert died June 1, 1893 in Evanston,  He was twenty years old.  Here is his Death Notice from the Chicago Inter Ocean of June 2, 1893:


He was buried amidst all his relatives in the family plot at Rosehill:




The Chicago Inter Ocean printed an article about his funeral in their edition of June 4, 1893:


Charles Gilbert's mother, Keziah Leavenworth Gilbert died in Chicago on February 6, 1895.  She was ninety years old.  Here is her Death Notice from the Chicago Tribune of February 8, 1895:



 
She was buried in the family plot at Rosehill Cemetery:



In 1899 Gilbert sold the larger portion of his real estate in Evanston and went with his wife to California for the winter.  Upon his return he did not engage in much business, even though he maintained an office in downtown Evanston.  At that time Gilbert was said to be worth $150,000.00 ($5.5 million in today's funds). 

The 1900 US Census of the greatly reduced Charles Gilbert family was taken on June 14, 1900.  It shows "empty-nesters" Charles and Charlotte Gilbert living at 1300 Davis Street in Evanston:

1300 Davis Street, Evanston, Illinois

Charles said he was born in New York in April of 1829, making him seventy-one years old.  Charlotte said she was born in Pennsylvania in November of 1839, making her sixty-one.  Charles listed his occupation as "Real Estate Agent."  They stated that they had been married ten years.  Charlotte said she had given birth to six children, but only two were living in 1900.  None of those were Charles' children.  They also said they rented their home, and that it was not a farm.

Charles J. Gilbert died suddenly on September 7, 1900 by falling head-first down a flight of stairs and fracturing his skull on a concrete floor.

Here is the story combined from several sources.  September 7, 1900 was a Friday.  On Friday evening at about 6:45 PM, Charles Gilbert visited his friend G. P. Mills in Mills' drug store at Davis Street and Maple Avenue, where Bennison's Bakery is today.  Gilbert was on his way home.  After exchanging a few words, they headed downstairs, Mills in the lead to turn on the electric lights.  Mr. Gilbert followed and was at the head of the stairs when Mills had reached the bottom.  In some way or other Gilbert's foot missed the upper step and he fell forward hitting his head on the concrete flooring.  Mr. Mills hastily turned on the light and found Gilbert lying unconscious with a deep gash at the rear of his skull.  Seeing that Gilbert was seriously wounded he immediately called Dr. Park who said that Gilbert was unlikely to recover from his injury.  The ambulance was called and Gilbert was removed to Evanston Hospital where he passed away an hour later without ever regaining consciousness.   

From the minute Mr. Gilbert was inside the hospital the administration was swamped with people asking about Gilbert's condition.  In fact, many came to the hospital and were at his bedside when he passed away.  Included was Mrs. Gilbert who had been notified and was also at her husband's bedside when he died.

The Chicago Tribune published a comprehensive article on the funeral on September 9, 1900:


Gilbert was buried in the family plot at Rosehill Cemetery in an unmarked grave:


















Charles Gilbert - a man who dedicated his life to making Evanston a better place - may he rest in peace.




Charles Gilbert's Unmarked Grave

As I mentioned above, Charles Gilbert's grave in Section 2, Lot 3 of Rosehill Cemetery is not marked.  I have been doing grave photography now for over twenty years and the biggest surprise I have gotten is how many graves are unmarked.  I would say conservatively that in at least 1/3 of the grave photo requests I get the graves are unmarked.  I understand this.  In some cases markers were erected that could not survive Chicago's harsh climates and just disintegrated.  In other cases it is financial - after the family pays for the expenses from departed's last illness, and pays for a funeral, a cemetery plot and the grave opening and closing, there is often no money left for a marker for the grave.  But this is not the case with Charles Gilbert - he was considered one of Evanston's wealthiest men.  With the exceptions of Charles and his second wife, all of the other graves in the Gilbert Family plot have markers.  Not only was Charles Gilbert wealthy, he was renowned as one of the pioneers of Evanston, and its first Village President.  It is terrible that Charles Gilbert has been resting in an unmarked grave for over one hundred years.  If any of Gilbert's descendents are reading this, how about coughing up enough money to have his grave marked by next year for the 125th anniversary of his passing?  If you have his grave marked, I'll arrange a dedication ceremony.

Thursday, February 1, 2024

TOOZE AGAINST BOOZE - Mrs. Fred J. Tooze

When I was a student at Evanston Township High School one of our assignments was "Interview a Famous Person."  With the wisdom of hindsight I can see how ridiculous this assignment was.  Very few teenagers have access to a famous person, and few famous people have the time (or the inclination) to be interviewed by a teenager.   I wracked my brain to find a solution - and then it came to me:  Mrs. Fred J. Tooze.  If you ask "who was Mrs. Fred J. Tooze?" you obviously did not live in Evanston from the 1950s through the 1970s.

Evanston, Illinois is the home of the Womens Christian Temperance Union (WCTU).  The temperance movement is a social movement promoting temperance or complete abstinence from consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote teetotalism, and its leaders emphasize alcohol's negative effects on people's health, personalities and family lives.  Mrs. Fred J. Tooze was the WCTU President from 1959 to 1974.  

Why do I refer to her as "Mrs. Fred J. Tooze" instead of her first name "Ruth?"  She always referred to herself that way and I didn't even know her first name until I started researching her life.  Here is a photo of Mrs. Fred J. Tooze at her desk at the WCTU.  As you can see, her nameplate reads "Mrs. Fred J. Tooze."



Back to my high school assignment.  I decided to try to interview Mrs. Tooze.  It is one of the ironies of life that the head of the WCTU had a last name that rhymed with "booze."  As much as she loved her husband, I bet she wished his last name had been Smith.

I called the WCTU headquarters on Chicago Avenue in Evanston and asked to speak with Mrs. Tooze.  I was connected to her secretary.  I told her why I wished to speak with Mrs. Tooze but her secretary told me that she was away.  But she said she would have Mrs. Tooze call me when she returned.  Frankly I didn't put a lot of faith in the return call.

To my surprise she called me several days later.  She was very nice to me.  I told her my assignment and she said "so you think I'm famous?"  I said "everyone knows who you are, especially in Evanston."  She told me she would send me some literature about her and the WCTU and that should make an interview unnecessary.  Let's face it, she didn't want to be interviewed by some high school kid any more than the high school kid wanted to interview her.  But she did say at the end of our conversation that if I had any questions after I read the literature that I should feel free to call her.  She also said that after reviewing the material if I still felt a face-to-face interview was necessary she would make herself available.  I have to say it again: Mrs. Tooze was very nice to me.    

So this month I am going to tell you her story.            

Ruth Elizabeth Tibbets was born December 21, 1901 in Trumansburg, New York to Rev. John Clark Tibbits (1870-1952) and Julia Henrietta Mische (1868-1927).  At the time Ruth was born, Rev. Tibbits was the pastor of the Baptist church in Trumansburg.  Ruth was the eldest of the three children born to John and Julia Tibbits.  Her siblings are Edgar Albert Tibbets (1903-1991) and Neltje Edith Tibbets/Mrs. Pierre Saucy (1907-1995). 

Ruth's parents had been married in Syracuse, New York on January 30, 1901.  The groom was thirty years old; the bride was thirty-two.

In 1905 the family relocated to Utica, New York for two years, then to Chester, Connecticut for three years as Rev. Tibbits was called to be the pastor of Baptist churches in different parts of the country.

The 1910 US Census shows the Tibbits family living on West Main Street in Chester, Connecticut.  The family consisted of:  J. Clark Tibbits (39 years old), his wife Julia (42) and children Ruth (8), Edgar (7) and Neltje (2).  Tibbits reported that he was a "Clergyman" in the "Baptist Church."  J. Clark and Julia said they had been married for nine years.  They said they lived in a house which they rented and that Ruth and Edgar were attending school.  Julia reported that she had given birth to three children, and all three were still alive in 1910.  

Later in 1910 the family moved to Ipswitch, South Dakota, and in 1912 to Oregon.  In 1918 the family finally settled in Salem, Oregon.    

The Census Taker for the 1920 US Census visited the Tibbets family on January 13, 1920.  They were living at 190 S. 14th Street in Salem, Oregon:

190 S. 14th Street, Salem, Oregon

The family consisted of:  J. Clark Tibbits (49 years old),  Julia M. (51), Ruth (18), Edgar (17), and Neltje (12).   The three children were all Attending School, and the entire family could both read and write.   Julia said that her parents' native tongue was German.  J. Clark reported his occupation as "Clerk for the State Highway Department."

Ruth Tibbits graduated from Salem High School in June of 1920.  In 1921 she moved to Los Angeles, California and enrolled at the Bible Institute of Los Angeles.   

After graduating from the Bible Institute of Los Angeles in 1925 she returned to her family in Salem, Oregon where she, like her father, worked for the Oregon State Highway Commission.

Ruth's mother, Julia Mische Tibbits died in Salem, Oregon on December 30, 1926 from chronic cardio-renal disease with the contributing factor of broncho-pneumonia,  She was fifty-eight years old.  She was cremated at the Portland Crematorium, but I was unable to find any record of where (or if) her cremains were interred.  Here is her obituary from the Salem (OR) Statesman Journal of January 2, 1927:


Ruth's father remarried on November 14, 1928 in Marion, Oregon to Fannie Alice Baxley Brown (1877-1951).  The groom was fifty-eight; the bride was fifty-one.

The 1930 US Census saw Ruth living with her father and step-mother at 1985 Fir Street in Salem, Oregon:

1985 Fir Street, Salem, Oregon

The family consisted of John C. Tibbits (59 years old), Fannie A. (52), and Ruth (28).  The Tibbits family reported that they owned their home and it was worth $7,000.00 ($132,745.00 today) - although the current estimated value of the home is $725,000.00. 

The family owned a radio.  Ruth's father reported he was an Insurance Agent, and Ruth said she was a "Stenographer for the State Highway Commission."  

On September 12, 1931 Ruth Tibbits married Fred John Sherman Tooze, Jr. (1900-1977) in Salem, Oregon.  The groom was thirty-one; the bride was twenty-nine.

This is the announcement of their betrothal from the Salem (OR) Capital Journal of June 20, 1931:



Fred Tooze, Jr. was born January 17, 1900 is Saline, Michigan to Fred J. Tooze, Sr. (1865-1940) and Emma Louise Frey (1871-1942).  Fred Tooze, Sr. was a Teacher and Publisher.  In addition to Fred, Jr. the Toozes also had two daughters, Helen Louise/Mrs. Robert Dial Hutchinson (1905-1933) and Annabell Parkmand/Mrs. Dr. Carl George Ashley (1910-1974).        

At the time of their marriage, Fred Tooze worked for the Oregon Department of Food and Dairy Products as Sanitary Inspector.

The 1940 US Census found Ruth and Fred Tooze living with Fred's parents at 816 Mill Street in Salem, Oregon.  That address no longer exists.  The family consisted of: Fred Tooze, Sr. (74 years old), Emma (68), Fred, Jr. (40), Ruth (38), and grand-children Robert A. Hutchinson (8) and Annabel Hutchinson (6).  The grandchildren's mother Helen Louise Tooze Hutchinson had died in 1933 from acute nephritis and pyelitis.  She was twenty-seven years old.

Fred Tooze Jr. reported his occupation as "bookkeeper for State Department of Agriculture" and Ruth as a "church secretary."  Ruth and Fred said they had been living in the same place in 1935.

I think we can safely say that when Ruth Tibbits became Mrs. Fred J. Tooze she had no idea that she would one day be in the national temperance spotlight as being married to a man whose last name rhymes with "booze."

Ruth Tibbits officially joined the WCTU in 1931 but she related at the time that it had been a part of her family life for years.  Her father was a teetotalling Baptist minister and her mother had been a WCTU organizer.

Once Ruth Tooze became involved with the WCTU she dedicated herself to it 100%.  In 1950 she was elected President of the Oregon WCTU.  

The 1950 US Census finds Ruth and Fred Tooze living on their own at 3603 SE Grant Street in Portland, Oregon:

3603 SE Grant Street, Portland, Oregon

It was just Fred (50 years old) and Ruth (48).  Fred said he was a "Salesman for a Correspondence School" and Ruth was "President of a Women's Organization - the WCTU."

Ruth's dad, John Clark Tibbits died October 7, 1952 in Salem, Oregon.  He was eighty-two years old.  His second wife, Fannie Baxley Brown Tibbits had pre-deceased him in 1951.  Both are buried in Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon:


John Clark Tibbits

Fannie Alice Tibbits
Photos courtesy of Find a Grave Volunteer "Ann"

Mrs. Tooze rose steadily through the ranks of the WCTU, culminating in her being elected president of the national WCTU on September 28, 1959 as reported by the Kansas City (MO) Times of September 29, 1959:




Photo Courtesy NWCTU


It became obvious very early in her tenure that Mrs. Fred J. Tooze was not going to be a president who just stayed quietly in her office.  In November of 1959 she openly attacked CBS Television as was recounted in newspapers all around the country.  Here is one from the Mansfield (OH) News-Journal of November 24, 1959:


She would be spinning in her grave if she could see what is shown on prime-time TV these days.

But she didn't stop there.  In 1961 she wrote to President-Elect John F. Kennedy deploring the amount of money spent by the US government each year (almost $1 million per year) for liquor for American embassies and diplomatic functions.  In 1965 she wrote to President Lyndon B. Johnson asking him to reconsider his plan to add a wine cellar in the White House.  It is not know if she ever received a response to either of these letters.

Prohibition had been tried in the USA once before (from 1920-1933) and not only failed but spawned the careers of "bootleggers" like the notorious Al Capone.  Mrs. Tooze thought it was time to give Prohibition another try as reported in 1971:

"Prohibition has got to come back," says Mrs. Tooze, a tall gray-haired woman who has been associated with the temperance movement for 39 years.  "Prohibition," declares Mrs. Tooze, remembering the 18th Amendment and the zenith of her organization's existence, "gave this nation the best years of our life."

"Home purchases went up, bank balances increased, life insurance contracts increased, people had a chance to graduate from high school and go on to college because there was no alcoholism disturbing home life."

I wonder what Mrs. Tooze would think of legalized marijuana?

Mrs. Tooze was president of the WCTU from 1959 to 1974.  She spent her entire tenure tirelessly working for the elimination of "demon rum" by the three-fold approach of the WCTU:  Organization, Education and Legislation.  

How did she describe the success of her efforts?  "It's here a little, there a little,  You just have to keep hammering away at it."  And "I'm not discouraged, though, not at all.  After all, Christianity has been going on for a lot longer than we have and there are still a lot of people against that, too."     

There is a book that was published in 1967, the first book where columnist Mike Royko reprinted some of his favorite columns from his many years in Chicago newspaperdom.  The very first column he featured in the very first book was a column about Mrs. Tooze.  It would be worth your while to check Steve Bartolucci's website describing it:


Scroll down to:

December 4-5, 1971

The Holiday Spirits of Mrs. Tooze


Mrs. Tooze did not limit her work to the national WCTU.  She was elected twice as First Vice President of the World Women's Christian Temperance Union and also was elected the first woman president of the National Temperance and Prohibition Council.  She was also a member of the National Safety Council's Woman's Conference.  

Mrs. Fred J. Tooze hung up her "White Ribbon" and retired from the WCTU in September of 1974.  After her retirement she and her husband stayed in Illinois.  They moved to Hoopeston, a small town in Vermillion County near the Indiana border between Bloomington and Champaign. 

Fred J. Tooze (not Mrs.) died August 28, 1977 in Hoopeston.  He is buried in the Danville National Cemetery in Danville, Illinois.  Here is a photo of him and of his tombstone:


Photo Courtesy of Find a Grave Volunteer Dwaine Desselle

After Fred's death Ruth returned to Oregon.  Both her brother Edgar and her sister Neltje were still alive at that time.  Edgar was in Salem and Neltje was in Mount Angel, Oregon.

Ruth Elizabeth Tibbits Tooze died June 6, 1992 in Silverton, Oregon.  She was ninety years old.  Here is her obituary from the Salem (OR) Statesman Journal of June 8, 1992:



Here is a clipping about her from the Statesman Journal of June 17, 1992:


She is buried in the Belcrest Memorial Park in Salem, Oregon, Section 8, Block 12, Lot 6:

Ruth E. Tooze
Photo Courtesy of Find a Grave Volunteer "Ann"

Surprisingly, her tombstone does not say "Mrs. Fred J. Tooze."

Ruth Tibbits Tooze may be gone, but she is definitely not forgotten.  For example, the online site crosswordsolver.io mentions that a popular crossword puzzle clue is:  "Mrs. Tooze's Org."  to which they are 94% sure the correct answer is "WCTU."

As I said earlier in this article, it is one of life's ironies that the head of the world's largest temperance organization had a last name that rhymes with the slang word for alcoholic beverages.  Over the years Mrs. Tooze was kidded about it numerous times.  Here is her response from the Miami (FL) Herald of September 8, 1962:



Ruth Elizabeth Tibbits (Mrs. Fred J.) Tooze - tireless crusader for the elimination of alcoholic beverages - may she rest in peace.