Our cousin Everett Vanderbilt Day was born in Dayton, Washington, the town his grandparents founded. His father was a city councilman and successful business owner, and his mother was a popular and well-liked townswoman, the daughter of an architect and builder. One imagines that Everett's early childhood was idyllic, spent playing with his many small cousins who lived nearby. This changed forever when he contracted meningitis at the age of ten. Everett survived, but became mentally challenged as a result of his devastating illness. His parents did much to demonstrate their love for their only child; keeping him with them at home, and hiring a private tutor for him.
In approximately 1902, Everett's father sold his drug store in Dayton and purchased an apple orchard in Hood River, most likely at the suggestion of his brother-in-law Oscar, who was a nationally-known orchardist. Everett worked alongside his father, and Joseph too, became highly regarded for his quality apples. In 1912, their world again changed tragically when Everett's mother Emily died very suddenly from pneumonia. With the help of friends, father and son found the strength go on, and fatefully, Joseph re-married a local widow, Mary Alice Gates, in 1916.
During World War I, Everett registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918. This small piece of paperwork confirms that he was still working on his father's orchard. Other than signing the document with his mark, which indicates he was unable to read or write, there is no mention of any other disability, although Everett did suffer from severe seizures that occurred once a year. One can only guess now at how he might have reacted to his father's death, but I found the information on his draft card to be incredibly poignant. Of course, attitudes towards the disabled were very different 90 years ago, but I have to question whether Everett truly needed to be committed, especially considering the fact that he was institutionalized for the rest of his life.
Following the death of his father, Mary Alice filed a motion with the County Court of Hood River on 14 Feb. 1921 to relinquish her guardianship over Everett. The court appointed Eugene A. Franz, who was also the executor of his father's estate. Joseph Henry had died less than two months previously, and his will stipulated that his stepson, Lowell Monroe Gates, was to run the Day family orchards, and Mary Alice was to invest the profits, and among other things, seeing to it that the family plot at Idlewilde Cemetery was maintained.
Joseph's wishes regarding his son were most specific: "There shall first be provided suitable food, clothing, shelter, care and maintenance for my said son, Everett Vanderbilt Day, and in addition he shall be provided with such amount of spending money as the circumstances from time to time may reasonably warrant. It is my intention that he shall be maintained in as good circumstances as I have maintained him during the past several years." For whatever reason, these wishes were not carried out. The estate was foreclosed upon, sold off and Everett was committed to the state hospital in Salem.
In his intake report, Everett was reported as being of below-average intelligence, but he had a memory that was surprisingly at times, very clear. He was said to have been "kind to every one" of his childhood playmates. One question on the forms was most telling. The family was asked if they had the means to provide clothing for Everett while he was committed. The answer was yes, they had the means, but they would not provide for him.
On August 19, 2011, my family and I held a simple committal service for Everett. It was presided over by a lovely Episcopalian priest, and Everett was finally laid to rest next to his parents, who loved him the best.
Words can't adequately express my gratitude to Bob at Idlewilde Cemetery, as well as to the Rev. Carmichael from St. Mark's. A very sincere thank you to my friend, Bill, for sponsoring Everett's memorial, and that of his mother. Thank you to everyone else for leaving the beautiful messages and tokens for him. I think Everett would be honored, and it means so much to know that this sweet soul has not been forgotten.
In approximately 1902, Everett's father sold his drug store in Dayton and purchased an apple orchard in Hood River, most likely at the suggestion of his brother-in-law Oscar, who was a nationally-known orchardist. Everett worked alongside his father, and Joseph too, became highly regarded for his quality apples. In 1912, their world again changed tragically when Everett's mother Emily died very suddenly from pneumonia. With the help of friends, father and son found the strength go on, and fatefully, Joseph re-married a local widow, Mary Alice Gates, in 1916.
During World War I, Everett registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918. This small piece of paperwork confirms that he was still working on his father's orchard. Other than signing the document with his mark, which indicates he was unable to read or write, there is no mention of any other disability, although Everett did suffer from severe seizures that occurred once a year. One can only guess now at how he might have reacted to his father's death, but I found the information on his draft card to be incredibly poignant. Of course, attitudes towards the disabled were very different 90 years ago, but I have to question whether Everett truly needed to be committed, especially considering the fact that he was institutionalized for the rest of his life.
Following the death of his father, Mary Alice filed a motion with the County Court of Hood River on 14 Feb. 1921 to relinquish her guardianship over Everett. The court appointed Eugene A. Franz, who was also the executor of his father's estate. Joseph Henry had died less than two months previously, and his will stipulated that his stepson, Lowell Monroe Gates, was to run the Day family orchards, and Mary Alice was to invest the profits, and among other things, seeing to it that the family plot at Idlewilde Cemetery was maintained.
Joseph's wishes regarding his son were most specific: "There shall first be provided suitable food, clothing, shelter, care and maintenance for my said son, Everett Vanderbilt Day, and in addition he shall be provided with such amount of spending money as the circumstances from time to time may reasonably warrant. It is my intention that he shall be maintained in as good circumstances as I have maintained him during the past several years." For whatever reason, these wishes were not carried out. The estate was foreclosed upon, sold off and Everett was committed to the state hospital in Salem.
In his intake report, Everett was reported as being of below-average intelligence, but he had a memory that was surprisingly at times, very clear. He was said to have been "kind to every one" of his childhood playmates. One question on the forms was most telling. The family was asked if they had the means to provide clothing for Everett while he was committed. The answer was yes, they had the means, but they would not provide for him.
On August 19, 2011, my family and I held a simple committal service for Everett. It was presided over by a lovely Episcopalian priest, and Everett was finally laid to rest next to his parents, who loved him the best.
Words can't adequately express my gratitude to Bob at Idlewilde Cemetery, as well as to the Rev. Carmichael from St. Mark's. A very sincere thank you to my friend, Bill, for sponsoring Everett's memorial, and that of his mother. Thank you to everyone else for leaving the beautiful messages and tokens for him. I think Everett would be honored, and it means so much to know that this sweet soul has not been forgotten.
Our cousin Everett Vanderbilt Day was born in Dayton, Washington, the town his grandparents founded. His father was a city councilman and successful business owner, and his mother was a popular and well-liked townswoman, the daughter of an architect and builder. One imagines that Everett's early childhood was idyllic, spent playing with his many small cousins who lived nearby. This changed forever when he contracted meningitis at the age of ten. Everett survived, but became mentally challenged as a result of his devastating illness. His parents did much to demonstrate their love for their only child; keeping him with them at home, and hiring a private tutor for him.
In approximately 1902, Everett's father sold his drug store in Dayton and purchased an apple orchard in Hood River, most likely at the suggestion of his brother-in-law Oscar, who was a nationally-known orchardist. Everett worked alongside his father, and Joseph too, became highly regarded for his quality apples. In 1912, their world again changed tragically when Everett's mother Emily died very suddenly from pneumonia. With the help of friends, father and son found the strength go on, and fatefully, Joseph re-married a local widow, Mary Alice Gates, in 1916.
During World War I, Everett registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918. This small piece of paperwork confirms that he was still working on his father's orchard. Other than signing the document with his mark, which indicates he was unable to read or write, there is no mention of any other disability, although Everett did suffer from severe seizures that occurred once a year. One can only guess now at how he might have reacted to his father's death, but I found the information on his draft card to be incredibly poignant. Of course, attitudes towards the disabled were very different 90 years ago, but I have to question whether Everett truly needed to be committed, especially considering the fact that he was institutionalized for the rest of his life.
Following the death of his father, Mary Alice filed a motion with the County Court of Hood River on 14 Feb. 1921 to relinquish her guardianship over Everett. The court appointed Eugene A. Franz, who was also the executor of his father's estate. Joseph Henry had died less than two months previously, and his will stipulated that his stepson, Lowell Monroe Gates, was to run the Day family orchards, and Mary Alice was to invest the profits, and among other things, seeing to it that the family plot at Idlewilde Cemetery was maintained.
Joseph's wishes regarding his son were most specific: "There shall first be provided suitable food, clothing, shelter, care and maintenance for my said son, Everett Vanderbilt Day, and in addition he shall be provided with such amount of spending money as the circumstances from time to time may reasonably warrant. It is my intention that he shall be maintained in as good circumstances as I have maintained him during the past several years." For whatever reason, these wishes were not carried out. The estate was foreclosed upon, sold off and Everett was committed to the state hospital in Salem.
In his intake report, Everett was reported as being of below-average intelligence, but he had a memory that was surprisingly at times, very clear. He was said to have been "kind to every one" of his childhood playmates. One question on the forms was most telling. The family was asked if they had the means to provide clothing for Everett while he was committed. The answer was yes, they had the means, but they would not provide for him.
On August 19, 2011, my family and I held a simple committal service for Everett. It was presided over by a lovely Episcopalian priest, and Everett was finally laid to rest next to his parents, who loved him the best.
Words can't adequately express my gratitude to Bob at Idlewilde Cemetery, as well as to the Rev. Carmichael from St. Mark's. A very sincere thank you to my friend, Bill, for sponsoring Everett's memorial, and that of his mother. Thank you to everyone else for leaving the beautiful messages and tokens for him. I think Everett would be honored, and it means so much to know that this sweet soul has not been forgotten.
In approximately 1902, Everett's father sold his drug store in Dayton and purchased an apple orchard in Hood River, most likely at the suggestion of his brother-in-law Oscar, who was a nationally-known orchardist. Everett worked alongside his father, and Joseph too, became highly regarded for his quality apples. In 1912, their world again changed tragically when Everett's mother Emily died very suddenly from pneumonia. With the help of friends, father and son found the strength go on, and fatefully, Joseph re-married a local widow, Mary Alice Gates, in 1916.
During World War I, Everett registered for the draft on 12 Sep 1918. This small piece of paperwork confirms that he was still working on his father's orchard. Other than signing the document with his mark, which indicates he was unable to read or write, there is no mention of any other disability, although Everett did suffer from severe seizures that occurred once a year. One can only guess now at how he might have reacted to his father's death, but I found the information on his draft card to be incredibly poignant. Of course, attitudes towards the disabled were very different 90 years ago, but I have to question whether Everett truly needed to be committed, especially considering the fact that he was institutionalized for the rest of his life.
Following the death of his father, Mary Alice filed a motion with the County Court of Hood River on 14 Feb. 1921 to relinquish her guardianship over Everett. The court appointed Eugene A. Franz, who was also the executor of his father's estate. Joseph Henry had died less than two months previously, and his will stipulated that his stepson, Lowell Monroe Gates, was to run the Day family orchards, and Mary Alice was to invest the profits, and among other things, seeing to it that the family plot at Idlewilde Cemetery was maintained.
Joseph's wishes regarding his son were most specific: "There shall first be provided suitable food, clothing, shelter, care and maintenance for my said son, Everett Vanderbilt Day, and in addition he shall be provided with such amount of spending money as the circumstances from time to time may reasonably warrant. It is my intention that he shall be maintained in as good circumstances as I have maintained him during the past several years." For whatever reason, these wishes were not carried out. The estate was foreclosed upon, sold off and Everett was committed to the state hospital in Salem.
In his intake report, Everett was reported as being of below-average intelligence, but he had a memory that was surprisingly at times, very clear. He was said to have been "kind to every one" of his childhood playmates. One question on the forms was most telling. The family was asked if they had the means to provide clothing for Everett while he was committed. The answer was yes, they had the means, but they would not provide for him.
On August 19, 2011, my family and I held a simple committal service for Everett. It was presided over by a lovely Episcopalian priest, and Everett was finally laid to rest next to his parents, who loved him the best.
Words can't adequately express my gratitude to Bob at Idlewilde Cemetery, as well as to the Rev. Carmichael from St. Mark's. A very sincere thank you to my friend, Bill, for sponsoring Everett's memorial, and that of his mother. Thank you to everyone else for leaving the beautiful messages and tokens for him. I think Everett would be honored, and it means so much to know that this sweet soul has not been forgotten.
