My granduncle Edmund Leon Vadnais born on November 3, 1886 at White Bear Lake, Ramsey County, Minnesota was the 3rd of 7 children born to William and Jennie (Baillargeon) Vadnais. When he was born, his father was 23 years old, his mother was 20 years old and his 2 older brothers Joseph Albert and William Francis were 3 years old and 11 months old, respectively.
On November 7, 1886 Edmund was baptized by Father C. Robert at St. Mary of the Lake Catholic Church in White Bear Lake.1 His godparents were his aunt and uncle, Mathilda Vadnais and Leon Baillargeon.
Edmund is first enumerated in the 1895 Minnesota State census.2 It shows that by 1895 all his siblings had been born and Edmund’s younger brother Amis is still alive. Five of the children, including Edmund, are under the age of ten.
Edmund and his brothers Joseph and William went to the West Side School. It was located along Murray Avenue at Second Street in White Bear. Originally built as a one-story wood structure, a second story was added in 1878. 1895, the year of the class picture shown below, was the last year the school was used.
Thirteen year old Edmund is shown in the 1900 U. S. census as having been in school (he would have attended Washington School) during the 1899-1900 school year. He can read, write and speaks English. The family structure has undergone some changes with Joseph and Amis (who had passed away) no longer in the household and his older brother William now working as a farm laborer. His father William is recorded as a day laborer.4
Sometime during Edmund’s teenage years his father William abandoned the family. This is verified by the 1905 Minnesota State census which shows all of the children back at home with just their mother. The five boys are gainfully employed and Edmund’s youngest sister, Alma, is a student. Edmund is 18 years 7 months old and is employed as a teamster, a person who drives teams of draft animals.5
For some reason I cannot find Edmund in the 1910 U. S. census records. Having looked through the 1910 census for White Bear, I do know that he is not in White Bear at that time.
Edmund’s future wife, Olga Bertha Kleidon was born on May 12, 1889 in Oxford Township (North Branch area), Isanti County, Minnesota to Gustav and Henrietta (Onasch) Kleidon. Her family eventually moved to White Bear where it is likely that Edmund and Olga met.
On March 25, 1913 twenty-six year old Edmund married twenty-three year old Olga Kleidon.6 Edmund was the last of his siblings to marry. The couple settled in White Bear Lake, making their home at 122 Clark Avenue (now 4672). The house is just to the north of St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church.
I will continue with Edmund’s story next week.
Thanks for visiting, come back soon,
Cynthia
© 2022 Copyright by Cynthia Vadnais, All Rights Reserved
Edmund is my maternal grandfather! I grew up in the home at 122 Clark Ave. He died when I was 4 years old. I loved him. He was kind & gentle. He loved his wife, Olga very much! I love the photos of him in his youth! I look forward to part 2 next week! Thank you!
Pat,
It is so nice to hear that he was a kind and gentle man! Are there any other memories you’d like to share about either Edmund or Olga?
Do you have any pictures of them that you’d like to share? I vaguely remember the house and would love to see a picture of it.
Thank you for your comment,
Cynthia
I have a few memories I’ll share after Part 2 which I’m assuming is his railroad career! I have a question though on why my family didn’t do more with the larger vadnais clan. One thought Gpa Vadnais didn’t stay catholic but the kids Allen, Howard, & my mom were Episcopalian & attended St. John’s in the Wilderness! ?? I have a house pic but not sure how to send it to you!
The 1895 picture looks like brother George and Bill in the teenage picture.
Exactly the same thing that Michelle said about those pictures.
I wish I knew the answer as to why our side of the family did not know your side. I do know that every once in a while my Dad (Jack Vadnais) spoke of Edmund.