11. Pearl Agnes Cowan Clairmont
11. Pearl Agnes Cowan Clairmont
Pearl was born on September 2, 1909 and was the youngest of the children of Jim and Inga Cowan. Inga was 44 when Pearl was born. She was born at Enderlin, Liberty Twp., North Dakota at the maternity hospital. The 1910, May 2 census of Liberty Twp lists Pearl, age 9/12ths year and she is called Jennie then. Her mother Inger is listed as age 43 and has eleven children and all are alive. The other children listed are William, Oliver (Bud), Loyd[sp], Melborn[sp], Margaret Jane, Harriet,
Martin, Walter and Wallace. Her oldest sister, Mae, almost 19 years old, was married the year before Pearl was born and was not on the census. Her brothers William, Bud, Lloyd and Tip were the older kids at home; Margaret was age 9 and Harriet age 7; Martin was age 5 and was soon to go to live with Inga's sister Anna at Highlandville, Iowa.
During her early teens, Pearl lived for a year at Highlandville, Iowa with Aunt Anne and Uncle Peter and her
brother Martin. Pearl was confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran church at Decorah where Peter and Anne and so many others of the Akre families were members.
Photographs show Pearl as a young girl on the farm at Enderlin, North Dakota and that she was a handsome girl. Some photographs show her with her brothers Walter and Wallace and with sisters Harriet and Margaret sitting on the running board of an automobile and horsing around and laughing.
In late 1930 or early 1931 when Pearl was age 20 or 21 she married Chester Lou Clairmont of Minneapolis, b. Sept. 12, 1904 in Minneapolis. Chet, age 26, was born and grew up in Minneapolis. The following census reports show some about Chester and Pearl in early years.
1910 US Census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF Adlor O Clairemont M 30y Wisconsin
WIFE Arvilla Clairemont F 29y Minnesota
SON Chester L. Clairemont M 5y Minnesota
DAU Elizbeth Clairemont F 11m Minnesota
L awerence J Stellpflue M 33y Wisconsin
Lida M Barnhart F 15y Minnesota SS
SELF William T Geyden M 39y Canada
1920 US Census Ransom County, ND
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF William J Cowan M 45y Canada
WIFE Inga Cowan F 54y Iowa
SON Melbourne J Cowan M 21y North Dakota
SON Wallis Cowan M 12y North Dakota
SON Walter Cowan M 12y North Dakota
DAU Pearl Cowan F 10y North Dakota
1920 US Census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF A O Clairmont M 41y Wisconsin
WIFE Jeneive Clairmont F 28y Minnesota
SON Chester Clairmont M 14y Minnesota
1920 US census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF Peter Protteau M 52y Massachusetts
WIFE Mary Protteau F 47y Wisconsin
DAU Hazel Protteau F 22y Wisconsin
SON Adler Protteau M 18y Minnesota
Chester Clairmont M 15y Minnesota
1930 US census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
Head Peter C Prottau M 62 Massachusetts
Wife Mary E Prottau F 56 Wisconsin
Son Adlor O Prottau M 28 Minnesota
Nephew Chester L Clairmont M 25 Minnesota
Note that Chester and his father are listed in the first 1920 US census listed above but Elizbeth
his sister is not and his father has a different spouse. It looks also like in that same year Chester, age 15 moved to live with his mother’s sister and her family. According to the 1930 census ten years later Chester continued to live with them (probably until his marriage in 1931 to Pearl Cowan).
Chet’s father, Adlor O. Clairmont was born May 10th, 1879 in Wisconsin to ____. At age 24, Adlor married
Arvella Demarias on June 3rd of 1902 in Hennipen County of Minnesota. Arvella, age 21 was born in Minnesota in 1881. On December 12th, 1904 a son, Chester Lew Clairmont was born to them in Minneapolis.
In about 1909, his sister Elizabeth was born.
The 1910 US census lists Adlor O. Clairmont, age 30 and his wife Arvilla, age 29 together with their two children Chester L., age 5 and Elizbeth, 11 months living in Ward 8 of Minneapolis. Also living at their residence is Lawrence J. Stellpflue, 33 from Wisconsin, Lida M Barnhart, 15 of Minnesota and William T. Geyden, 39 from Canada. Note that apart from the list of residents at the address is specific information about Chester.
That specific census information for Chester states that Chester’s father was born in Illinois and his mother was born in Minnesota and that is different than the nativity for residents Adlor and Arvilla shown. Are Chester’s parents then not Adlor and Arvilla? Chester is apparently listed twice in the 1920 census at two different Minneapolis households. The first is the household of Adlor O. Clairmont, age 30 nativity Wisconsin and his wife Jeneive Clairmont, age 28 nativity Minnesota. Chester Clairmont is age 14 and nativity Minnesota. In the other 1920 US Census, Chesteris age 15 and living with his father’s sister Mary E Prottan and her husband Peter in Minneapolis. Ten years later, the 1930 census says he is age 25 and still living with his aunt and uncle.
The 1930 census states that Chester’s parents were born in Wisconsin. Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2002 shows Chester L. Clairmont, born Dec 12, 1903, died in Hennepin Countyon Nov. 25, 1993 (at age 92).
Pearl and Chet had four children: Edward (Eddie) the oldest, Roy (who likes working on cars); Lois (who was funny and a dickens); and Marlys; the youngest (The mischievous one) (written 1996). The most recent family update on this record was in 1996. Pearl and Chet have 12 grandchildren.
Children Date of Birth
Edward Ronald Apr. 02, 1932
Leroy Adler Sep. 27, 1933
Lois Pearl Dec. 22, 1937
Marlys June Mar. 15, 1942
The family lived in south Minneapolis near Chicago and Lake Streets for many years. Pearl worked for many years in the ladies garments department at the large Sears Department Store then on Lake Street in Minneapolis. She later transferred to the office. Chet was a cab mechanic in Minneapolis for many years.
Cousin Larry Cowan remembers thinking back to childhood in the late forties and early fifties, that it was always fun going over to Pearl and Chet’s. The kids were fun and there was always so much to do and they had great toys that we didn’t have. I remember the Lincoln Logs and Eddie’s electric football game.
In the late 1960’s, Pearl was in an auto accident and suffered a whiplash injury that caused her continuous
difficult pain. She was in therapy regularly and taking medication but the pain and discomfort was
intolerable. One day Chet came home from work to find that she had taken her own life. Much loved by her husband and family, Pearl died September 25, 1969 at age 60. Pearl is buried at Crystal Lake Cemetery, section 26 where many of her family are buried.
A while later, Chet had a friendship with Adeline ____ and they went on many trips and enjoyed retirement together for about 20 years until his death in 1993.
1K-1 Edward Ronald Clairmont
(Eddy or Ed), b. April 2, 1932. Ed married Darlene Shirley Samuelson on June 20, 1953. Ed and Darlene
live in San Diego, California. Ed is a high school teacher and has taught underprivileged kids.
1K-1a Edward Ronald Clairmont, Jr. b. May 3, 1954. Married Francis Grudzinski.
1K-1a-1 Edward Ronald Clairmont, III. b. Jan. 27, 1974
1K-1a-2 Michele Marie Clairmont. b. Oct. ___, 1991
1K-1b Brian James Clairmont b. Nov. 24, 1955. Married Francis Miller and later to Lisa Gino.
1K-1b-1 Alecsander Brian Clairmont. b. Feb. 7, 1989
1K-1c Denise Marie Clairmont b. Nov. 26, 1961. Married William Lowes on May 6, 1989.
1K-2 LeRoy Adlor Clairmont b. Sept. 27, 1933. Married Virginia Bajaci in 1956. In 1993 Roy married Louise Gertler. Roy and Virginia have two sons and one daughter. Royhas worked as an airline mechanic at Los Angelesfor many years. He has always liked mechanics and worked on cars and raced them as a kid. Roy and Louise live in a suburb of Los Angeles.
1K-2a David Leroy Clairmont. b. Jan. 4, 1957. d. May 31, 1991. Married to Patricia Jean Quirk. Three children. David died of a sudden heart attack at age 34.
1K-2a-1 David Jason Clairmont. b. July 3, 1982.
1K-2a-2 Jessica Lynn Clairmont b. 1985.
1K-2a-3 Justin ____ Clairmont b. 1988.
1K-2b Robert Alan Clairmont b. July 2, 1959. Married Kim Waltman April __, 1989.
1K-2b-1 Shawna Waltman b. 1982. Stepdaughter.
1K-2c Dona Lyn Clairmont b. Jan 19, 1963. Married Michael Merges Dec. __, 1990.
1K-2c-1 Dartanian James Merges. b. Mar. 14, 1986.
1K-2c-2 Dustin James Merges. b. Oct. 18, 1987.
1K-2c-3 Dakota Michael Merges. b. Dec. 5, 1988.
1K-2c-4 Dillan Robert Merges b. Dec. 3, 1990. d. Dec. 4, 1990
1K-2c-5 David Thomas Merges b. June 15, 1993.
1K-3 Lois Pearl Clairmont b. Dec. 22, 1937. Married to Robert James Rowbottom on Feb. 2, 1957. Bob and Lois have three children and live in the Minneapolis west suburb. They have a large Lake cottage that Bob built. Bob works in heavy construction and Lois has worked as an office manager in purchasing for Carlson
Companies in Plymouth for many years.
1K-3a Deborah Marie Rowbottom b. March 21, 1958. Married Richard Wilber Gaylord on Nov. 2, 1991.
1K-3a-1 BrittanyLynn Gaylord. b. Feb. 24, 1984. Stepdaughter.
1K-3b Dawn Carol Rowbottom b. Dec. 18, 1959. Married Brian Ihnken on May 16, 1987.
1K-3b-1 Beau James Ihnken. b. July 12, 1988.
1K-3c Diane Sue Rowbottom b. Oct. 28, 1963. Married Steven Ruchti Sept. 28, 1985. Married Jeffrey Allan Lehmberg on April 17, 1993. Two sons born to Diane and Jeffrey.
1K-3c-1 Travis Lee Lehmberg b. Feb. 17, 1992.
1K-3c-2 Barrett Ryan Lehmberg b. Aug. 31, 1995.
1K-4 Marlys June Clairmont b. March 15, 1942. Marlys married to John Williams on Sept 4, 1971.
Marlys works for the airlines as does her husband. They have one child and live in the suburbs out of Los
Angeles.
1K-4a Kristina (Kristy) Marie Williams b. June 4, 1981.
Pearl was born on September 2, 1909 and was the youngest of the children of Jim and Inga Cowan. Inga was 44 when Pearl was born. She was born at Enderlin, Liberty Twp., North Dakota at the maternity hospital. The 1910, May 2 census of Liberty Twp lists Pearl, age 9/12ths year and she is called Jennie then. Her mother Inger is listed as age 43 and has eleven children and all are alive. The other children listed are William, Oliver (Bud), Loyd[sp], Melborn[sp], Margaret Jane, Harriet,
Martin, Walter and Wallace. Her oldest sister, Mae, almost 19 years old, was married the year before Pearl was born and was not on the census. Her brothers William, Bud, Lloyd and Tip were the older kids at home; Margaret was age 9 and Harriet age 7; Martin was age 5 and was soon to go to live with Inga's sister Anna at Highlandville, Iowa.
During her early teens, Pearl lived for a year at Highlandville, Iowa with Aunt Anne and Uncle Peter and her
brother Martin. Pearl was confirmed at Big Canoe Lutheran church at Decorah where Peter and Anne and so many others of the Akre families were members.
Photographs show Pearl as a young girl on the farm at Enderlin, North Dakota and that she was a handsome girl. Some photographs show her with her brothers Walter and Wallace and with sisters Harriet and Margaret sitting on the running board of an automobile and horsing around and laughing.
In late 1930 or early 1931 when Pearl was age 20 or 21 she married Chester Lou Clairmont of Minneapolis, b. Sept. 12, 1904 in Minneapolis. Chet, age 26, was born and grew up in Minneapolis. The following census reports show some about Chester and Pearl in early years.
1910 US Census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF Adlor O Clairemont M 30y Wisconsin
WIFE Arvilla Clairemont F 29y Minnesota
SON Chester L. Clairemont M 5y Minnesota
DAU Elizbeth Clairemont F 11m Minnesota
L awerence J Stellpflue M 33y Wisconsin
Lida M Barnhart F 15y Minnesota SS
SELF William T Geyden M 39y Canada
1920 US Census Ransom County, ND
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF William J Cowan M 45y Canada
WIFE Inga Cowan F 54y Iowa
SON Melbourne J Cowan M 21y North Dakota
SON Wallis Cowan M 12y North Dakota
SON Walter Cowan M 12y North Dakota
DAU Pearl Cowan F 10y North Dakota
1920 US Census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF A O Clairmont M 41y Wisconsin
WIFE Jeneive Clairmont F 28y Minnesota
SON Chester Clairmont M 14y Minnesota
1920 US census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
SELF Peter Protteau M 52y Massachusetts
WIFE Mary Protteau F 47y Wisconsin
DAU Hazel Protteau F 22y Wisconsin
SON Adler Protteau M 18y Minnesota
Chester Clairmont M 15y Minnesota
1930 US census Minneapolis
Gender Age Birthplace
Head Peter C Prottau M 62 Massachusetts
Wife Mary E Prottau F 56 Wisconsin
Son Adlor O Prottau M 28 Minnesota
Nephew Chester L Clairmont M 25 Minnesota
Note that Chester and his father are listed in the first 1920 US census listed above but Elizbeth
his sister is not and his father has a different spouse. It looks also like in that same year Chester, age 15 moved to live with his mother’s sister and her family. According to the 1930 census ten years later Chester continued to live with them (probably until his marriage in 1931 to Pearl Cowan).
Chet’s father, Adlor O. Clairmont was born May 10th, 1879 in Wisconsin to ____. At age 24, Adlor married
Arvella Demarias on June 3rd of 1902 in Hennipen County of Minnesota. Arvella, age 21 was born in Minnesota in 1881. On December 12th, 1904 a son, Chester Lew Clairmont was born to them in Minneapolis.
In about 1909, his sister Elizabeth was born.
The 1910 US census lists Adlor O. Clairmont, age 30 and his wife Arvilla, age 29 together with their two children Chester L., age 5 and Elizbeth, 11 months living in Ward 8 of Minneapolis. Also living at their residence is Lawrence J. Stellpflue, 33 from Wisconsin, Lida M Barnhart, 15 of Minnesota and William T. Geyden, 39 from Canada. Note that apart from the list of residents at the address is specific information about Chester.
That specific census information for Chester states that Chester’s father was born in Illinois and his mother was born in Minnesota and that is different than the nativity for residents Adlor and Arvilla shown. Are Chester’s parents then not Adlor and Arvilla? Chester is apparently listed twice in the 1920 census at two different Minneapolis households. The first is the household of Adlor O. Clairmont, age 30 nativity Wisconsin and his wife Jeneive Clairmont, age 28 nativity Minnesota. Chester Clairmont is age 14 and nativity Minnesota. In the other 1920 US Census, Chesteris age 15 and living with his father’s sister Mary E Prottan and her husband Peter in Minneapolis. Ten years later, the 1930 census says he is age 25 and still living with his aunt and uncle.
The 1930 census states that Chester’s parents were born in Wisconsin. Minnesota, Death Index, 1908-2002 shows Chester L. Clairmont, born Dec 12, 1903, died in Hennepin Countyon Nov. 25, 1993 (at age 92).
Pearl and Chet had four children: Edward (Eddie) the oldest, Roy (who likes working on cars); Lois (who was funny and a dickens); and Marlys; the youngest (The mischievous one) (written 1996). The most recent family update on this record was in 1996. Pearl and Chet have 12 grandchildren.
Children Date of Birth
Edward Ronald Apr. 02, 1932
Leroy Adler Sep. 27, 1933
Lois Pearl Dec. 22, 1937
Marlys June Mar. 15, 1942
The family lived in south Minneapolis near Chicago and Lake Streets for many years. Pearl worked for many years in the ladies garments department at the large Sears Department Store then on Lake Street in Minneapolis. She later transferred to the office. Chet was a cab mechanic in Minneapolis for many years.
Cousin Larry Cowan remembers thinking back to childhood in the late forties and early fifties, that it was always fun going over to Pearl and Chet’s. The kids were fun and there was always so much to do and they had great toys that we didn’t have. I remember the Lincoln Logs and Eddie’s electric football game.
In the late 1960’s, Pearl was in an auto accident and suffered a whiplash injury that caused her continuous
difficult pain. She was in therapy regularly and taking medication but the pain and discomfort was
intolerable. One day Chet came home from work to find that she had taken her own life. Much loved by her husband and family, Pearl died September 25, 1969 at age 60. Pearl is buried at Crystal Lake Cemetery, section 26 where many of her family are buried.
A while later, Chet had a friendship with Adeline ____ and they went on many trips and enjoyed retirement together for about 20 years until his death in 1993.
1K-1 Edward Ronald Clairmont
(Eddy or Ed), b. April 2, 1932. Ed married Darlene Shirley Samuelson on June 20, 1953. Ed and Darlene
live in San Diego, California. Ed is a high school teacher and has taught underprivileged kids.
1K-1a Edward Ronald Clairmont, Jr. b. May 3, 1954. Married Francis Grudzinski.
1K-1a-1 Edward Ronald Clairmont, III. b. Jan. 27, 1974
1K-1a-2 Michele Marie Clairmont. b. Oct. ___, 1991
1K-1b Brian James Clairmont b. Nov. 24, 1955. Married Francis Miller and later to Lisa Gino.
1K-1b-1 Alecsander Brian Clairmont. b. Feb. 7, 1989
1K-1c Denise Marie Clairmont b. Nov. 26, 1961. Married William Lowes on May 6, 1989.
1K-2 LeRoy Adlor Clairmont b. Sept. 27, 1933. Married Virginia Bajaci in 1956. In 1993 Roy married Louise Gertler. Roy and Virginia have two sons and one daughter. Royhas worked as an airline mechanic at Los Angelesfor many years. He has always liked mechanics and worked on cars and raced them as a kid. Roy and Louise live in a suburb of Los Angeles.
1K-2a David Leroy Clairmont. b. Jan. 4, 1957. d. May 31, 1991. Married to Patricia Jean Quirk. Three children. David died of a sudden heart attack at age 34.
1K-2a-1 David Jason Clairmont. b. July 3, 1982.
1K-2a-2 Jessica Lynn Clairmont b. 1985.
1K-2a-3 Justin ____ Clairmont b. 1988.
1K-2b Robert Alan Clairmont b. July 2, 1959. Married Kim Waltman April __, 1989.
1K-2b-1 Shawna Waltman b. 1982. Stepdaughter.
1K-2c Dona Lyn Clairmont b. Jan 19, 1963. Married Michael Merges Dec. __, 1990.
1K-2c-1 Dartanian James Merges. b. Mar. 14, 1986.
1K-2c-2 Dustin James Merges. b. Oct. 18, 1987.
1K-2c-3 Dakota Michael Merges. b. Dec. 5, 1988.
1K-2c-4 Dillan Robert Merges b. Dec. 3, 1990. d. Dec. 4, 1990
1K-2c-5 David Thomas Merges b. June 15, 1993.
1K-3 Lois Pearl Clairmont b. Dec. 22, 1937. Married to Robert James Rowbottom on Feb. 2, 1957. Bob and Lois have three children and live in the Minneapolis west suburb. They have a large Lake cottage that Bob built. Bob works in heavy construction and Lois has worked as an office manager in purchasing for Carlson
Companies in Plymouth for many years.
1K-3a Deborah Marie Rowbottom b. March 21, 1958. Married Richard Wilber Gaylord on Nov. 2, 1991.
1K-3a-1 BrittanyLynn Gaylord. b. Feb. 24, 1984. Stepdaughter.
1K-3b Dawn Carol Rowbottom b. Dec. 18, 1959. Married Brian Ihnken on May 16, 1987.
1K-3b-1 Beau James Ihnken. b. July 12, 1988.
1K-3c Diane Sue Rowbottom b. Oct. 28, 1963. Married Steven Ruchti Sept. 28, 1985. Married Jeffrey Allan Lehmberg on April 17, 1993. Two sons born to Diane and Jeffrey.
1K-3c-1 Travis Lee Lehmberg b. Feb. 17, 1992.
1K-3c-2 Barrett Ryan Lehmberg b. Aug. 31, 1995.
1K-4 Marlys June Clairmont b. March 15, 1942. Marlys married to John Williams on Sept 4, 1971.
Marlys works for the airlines as does her husband. They have one child and live in the suburbs out of Los
Angeles.
1K-4a Kristina (Kristy) Marie Williams b. June 4, 1981.