Give me the facts...
Enid was born on October 11, 1911, in Minnesota. She
was the youngest of four children, and the only girl. The 1910 census
shows her parents, Guy and Grace, living in "St. Paul City" in
Minnesota. The census shows that it lists "Precincts 10 and 1
(part of)". (The 1920 census listing is for precinct 1, St. Paul City",
so this is likely where the Atherton family lived.) Note: there are
a very few
records that refer to Enid's father as "George," though the great
majority show his name as Guy. This 1910 census clearly appears to note
her dad's name as "Geo. W" Atherton. Her mother is listed as Grace P.
Atherton. Brothers Dean A., Clive D., and Lee W. Atherton are listed,
all born in Minnesota. In 1910, they were ages 5, 4, and 1,
respectively. As noted, Enid came along just one year after this
census. The only family member for whom a full name is known (other
than Enid herself,) is brother Clive. His full name is Clive Deforest
Atherton. None of the other siblings, or parents' middle names are
known.Of course, Enid was given her mother's name as her middle name.
She would, in turn, use the middle name "Grace" for one of her own
children, and other generations of family would also use the name for
their children. (The author's own daughter has the middle name of
Grace.)
As noted above, the 1920 census from "1 Precinct" "St. Paul City"
Minnesota is the first census listing Enid Atherton. The head of
household in 1920 is Grace Atherton, listed as "D" for divorced. All
four children are living with mom, now ages 14 (Dean), 13 (Clive -
listed as "Clyde"), 11 (Lee), and 8 (Enid). Grace is 42. The census
sidebar notes that the "Place of Abode" is on Afton Road. It is
interesting to note that the 1930 census, for "St. Paul City" "Second"
Ward, again reflects Guy W and Grace P Atherton, with Guy being the
"Head" and Grace being "Wife H", or wife of the head of household.
Their marital status shows "M" or married. The only child now living
with them is "Enid G" at age 18. The family is now living on Hazel
Avenue.
A word here from family recollection. My own mother never
remembers her grandmother. Grace (Abbott) Atherton, as I understand it,
lived her last years in San Diego. Enid
wrote regularly to her mother. Some of the letters were written to
Grace when she visited or lived some time with her son, Lee, in
California. No firm data is available to determine further information
about Grace - who her parents were, where they lived, where she died,
etc. This is an avenue for further study for family historians!
A website for "Mechanic Arts High School" in St. Paul, Ramsey County,
Minnesota, lists Enid Atherton as a Senior in 1928. Photos of Enid
Atherton were noted on pages 33 and 35.
View the website.
Other than this tidbit, nothing further is known about young Enid or
even how she came to know her future spouse, Harold Louis Althoff.
Family history records pick up her story, noting that it was on
September 29, 1934 that she and Harold were married. See the Harold Althoff page for more.