Dad on the Move – The Early Years

J M Remington and Lillian Timmerman got married in 1912 in Cadillac, Michigan, just south of where they both lived.  Their first two sons were born nearby in Meauwataka and their first daughter was born in Cadillac in August of 1916. Sometime before the birth of their next daughter in 1919, they moved to Rock Island, Illinois.  Lillian’s oldest brother, Henry, was living there so perhaps they followed him.  

Henry Timmerman Store in Rock Island

My dad and his younger brother were born in Rock Island in 1922 and 1924 respectively.  Sometime between 1924 and 1926, JM abandoned his family and they were left to fend for themselves.  Thanks to the availability of city directories that are online at Ancestry.com, we can follow a little of their lives before they moved to California. 

1919 – 1616 5^th [Street], Rock Island, Illinois - JM is a machinist for Root & V Co in East Moline

Bernard, Kenneth and Katharine @1919

22 Dec 1919 – Ruth born in Rock Island, Illinois

1920 - Thirteenth Ave [no house number] Rock Island, Illinois (1920 census) – I would guess this address is wrong as was JM’s name.  The image is too poor to read the occupation.

1920 – 1518 4^th [Street], Rock Island, Illinois – J M is a machinist

Kenneth, Katharine and Bernard @ 1920

1921 – 1518 4^th, Rock Island, Illinois – James M is a machinist

29 Aug 1922 – Dad born in Rock Island, Illinois

Though the house on 4th is gone,
these a block away may be typical of the period

1922 – 1518 4^th, Rock Island, Illinois – James M is a machinist

1923 – 1518 4^th, Rock Island, Illinois – Jas is a driver with Chas Barth & Sons Co

1924 – Stanley born in Rock Island, Illinois 

1925 – 1823 34^th [Street], Rock Island, Illinois – Jas M has no occupation listed; Mrs. Lillian T is a proofreader M W A

Ruth, Glen and Katharine @1925

1926 – 1839 34^th [Street], Rock Island, Illinois – JM not listed – Remington, Lillian Mrs.

1927 – 500 19^th Ave, Rock Island, Illinois – Lillian listed as widow of Jas M

"All six of us" - Kate, Ken, Bernard, Glen, Ruth, Stan @1927

With Lillian

1928 - 500 19^th Ave, Rock Island, Illinois – Lillian listed as widow of Jas M

1929 – 811 20^th [Street], Rock Island, Illinois – Lillian S listed as widow of Jas M – a copy writer; Bernard has own listing as student

At Watch Tower Park 1929

1930 - 811 20^th, Rock Island, Illinois – Lillian S, widow of Jas M; Bernard is a clerk with M W of Am

1930 - 821 Twentieth Street, Rock Island, Illinois (1930 census) – Lillian is Head of Household, a widow and a freelance writer; Bernard is a clerk for an insurance office; Kenneth is a laborer

1931 – 1208 19^th [Street], Rock Island, Illinois - Lillian S, widow of Jas M; Bernard is a clerk at Modern Woodmen of America

1932 – 1208 19^th, Rock Island, Illinois - Lillian S, widow of Jas M; Bernard is a clerk at Modern Woodmen of America; Kenneth has own listing as a student

Stanley and Glen @1932

Bernard, Lillian, Kenneth 1932

1933 - 1420 16^th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois - Lillian S, widow of Jas M; Bernard is a clerk at Modern Woodmen of America; Kenneth is a salesman

1936 – 1420 16^th Avenue, Rock Island, Illinois - Lillian S, widow of Jas M; Bernard is a clerk at Modern Woodmen of America; Katharine own listing as a student

By the fall of 1936 the family had moved to California…

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