Jesse Stump at farm in Airlie, 1882 March 2, 2017 Episode.
Continuing with our Yesterday's Voices series, we were joined by Norma Hamilton Cochran today. Norma's family has deep roots in Oregon. Her paternal great-grandfather, Jesse Stump, originally from Illinois, purchased 800 sheep in Independence, Missouri, and drove them to the Airlie area in Polk County in 1852. He married Martha Davidson whose family had settled in nearby Suver and they established their farm on the Luckiamute River. Their daughter, Jessie Belle Stump would go on to marry Clarence Sloane Hamilton, and their son Ralph would later marry Mary Claire Davis and become Norma's father.
Continuing with our Yesterday's Voices series, we were joined by Norma Hamilton Cochran today. Norma's family has deep roots in Oregon. Her paternal great-grandfather, Jesse Stump, originally from Illinois, purchased 800 sheep in Independence, Missouri, and drove them to the Airlie area in Polk County in 1852. He married Martha Davidson whose family had settled in nearby Suver and they established their farm on the Luckiamute River. Their daughter, Jessie Belle Stump would go on to marry Clarence Sloane Hamilton, and their son Ralph would later marry Mary Claire Davis and become Norma's father.
 Clarence S. & Jessie Belle Stump Hamilton with sons Ralph & Arthur (standing in back), and Clarence, called "Chris" |  JessieBelle Stump Hamilton, Clarence, Ralph, Arthur with grandmother Martha Davidson Stump |
Norma's maternal grandfather Dwight Davis and his wife Helena Elizabeth (Lennie) settled in the Independence area in the early 1900s where he was the proprietor of a pool hall, as well as being a contractor and builder. After his untimely death, Lennie opened their home as Independence Hospital. Their daughter Claire is Norma's mother. Both Claire and Norma carried on the family tradition as nurses for Salem General Hospital. In fact, Norma was named the Nurse of the Year for District 3, Oregon Nurses Association, in 1985, being cited for her personality, professionalism, and dedication to improving nursing training and standards as being dynamic qualities of a worthy role model.
Norma shared some of her early memories of growing up in Salem, where she attended McKinley Grade School, Leslie Junior High, and Salem High School. She recalled roller-skating at the Mellow Moon, riding her bike around the neighborhood, swimming in Leslie Pool, and daily activity programs in neighborhood parks for the children in the summer months.
She was very enthusiastic about the Mickey Mouse Club which met each Saturday at the Elsinore Theatre. This popular club boasted 3000+ members, aged 2 to16, and had its own page in the Oregon Statesman newspaper in 1936. Each week the children were treated to a talent show or presentation, cartoons, a continuing serial movie, a newsreel, and other activities.
She was very enthusiastic about the Mickey Mouse Club which met each Saturday at the Elsinore Theatre. This popular club boasted 3000+ members, aged 2 to16, and had its own page in the Oregon Statesman newspaper in 1936. Each week the children were treated to a talent show or presentation, cartoons, a continuing serial movie, a newsreel, and other activities.
There were lots of parades in Salem, and the circus coming to town was a must-see event. The circus arrived by train and they would watch the elephants erect and take down the tents. As a teenager, she remembers the weekly dances held for the high-schoolers, going to these events and even the prom on the city bus as her dad used the family car. Many couples met at these events and were later married. World War II brought with it rationing, charity work with the Red Cross, and movie newsreels bombarding them with war-time philosophies. She also remembers the horrors of the polio epidemic, as well as other contagious diseases, such as scarlet fever, which required area families to be quarantined in their homes.
Christy and Norma Cochran at Capital Manor, 2017 Norma met her first husband, Raymond G. Martin, when they were both students at University of Oregon Medical School. During their years together she recalled that most entertainment was done in the home, with cocktails and/or dinners with friends. There were teas (very fancy) and coffees (more casual) for the ladies, and dance clubs for couples. She and her husband were founding members of the Terrace Dance Club.
Today, Norma and her second husband Robert live at Capital Manor. This vivacious, creative lady leads their Fiber Arts group, as well as dabbling in other artistic media. She has spent many hours collecting, preserving, and sharing family history materials, yet another legacy she will leave to those she loves. She truly is a Salem treasure, and we are so pleased to have been able to spend time with her.
Today, Norma and her second husband Robert live at Capital Manor. This vivacious, creative lady leads their Fiber Arts group, as well as dabbling in other artistic media. She has spent many hours collecting, preserving, and sharing family history materials, yet another legacy she will leave to those she loves. She truly is a Salem treasure, and we are so pleased to have been able to spend time with her.
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