Floyd Oren Grable was the son of James Floyd Grable and Myrtle Asenath (Simpson) Grable Williams. In the 1910 Census, the family unit was living in Vallejo, Solano County, California, across the water (river/bay) from Mare Island where Floyd's father worked for the US Navy as an ordnance man. Floyd and his parents also had living with them, his maternal grandparents, Robert and Amelia Simpson.
Floyd's early childhood was filled with tragedy. His mother left the home in June of 1911, Floyd was 3 1/2 years, and his brother Robert was an infant. Then, 20 June 1913, his father had a vacation day and was taking Floyd fishing. They missed their first train by a few minutes and got on the next one. They were heading north out of Vallejo on an electric car (train)when a southbound car collided with their car, coming through the roof and crushing 13 passengers and injuring another 53 passengers. Floyd was sitting in the seat beside his father. His father was instantly killed, and most of those around Floyd were dead or in the dying process. The rescuers first thought Floyd's legs were broken, however they were determined not broken, just badly bruised. San Francisco Call newspaper reported Floyd calling and crying for his father, and hurting all over when anyone touched him. The physical and emotional trauma Floyd endured would be hard for anyone to overcome.(The newspaper reported Floyd's age as 10, which corresponds with a statement made to his stepsons about really being born in 1903, and not keeping good records back then).
Floyd, 5 1/2 years old, and his two year-old brother Robert were then raised by their paternal grandparents, David Henry and Julia Ann (Jeffries) Grabill of Ione, Morrow County, Oregon. On 26 Aug 1913, two months after the wreck, Floyd and Robert were kidnapped by their mother and stepfather. In court, Grandfather claimed that their mother wanted the boys because they were heirs to $112,000 left by their father at his death.
1920 Census: Floyd's uncle Oren Grabill resided w/them.
Grandmother Julia Ann Jeffries Grabill died 1 March 1926.
THE BEAVER YEARBOOK OF THE OREGON STATE COLLEGE, 1928-1929, page 80: (Corvallis, OR) Floyd Grabill is pictured and named as Class of 1930 Treasurer. According to a stepson, Floyd was days away from graduating with an accounting degree and went to Portland to surprise his girlfriend. She, however, was with another. Floyd did not finish his degree but joined the U.S.Army instead.
Early 1930's in the Army, Floyd spent some time in the Philippines, of which he was proud of his service. 1930 U.S. Census: residence Angel Island, Marin, CA, single, U.S. Army.
Grandfather David Henry Grabill died 5 Aug 1931.
1935: residence Miami, Gila, AZ
1938: Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla, WA. Sentenced for first-degree murder in fatally shooting Richard Cadle while robbing an automotive repair shop with accomplice James R. Lewis, 27, in Seattle on February 18. The theft netted $2.25.
1950, June 2: James R. Lewis (Floyd's partner in the automotive repair shop robbery) was released from Washington State Pen., Walla, Walla, WA.
Sometime between these events (June 2, 1950-1951), Floyd was released from prison.
City Directory information:
1951: Floyd's occupation was a grower for Zigman's Flowers, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1955: Employed by Pilot Rock Mill, Pendleton, OR.
1956, July 1: Marriage to Dorothy Mareydt, residence Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1958: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Donnallys; Floyd worked as a clerk for Pilot Rock Lbr.
1974: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Elwin C. Houle, no occupation was listed for Floyd
1983, June 2: Floyd was fined $29 for disobeying a traffic signal.
Floyd died 3 February 1997 in Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon, age 89.
Sources: U.S. Censuses: 1910, 1920, 1940; California Birth Index 1905-1995;U.S. School Yearbooks 1880-2012 for Solano, CA and Corvalis, OR; 2 clippings, Newspapers.com: Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Page 1 Walla-Walla, Franklin Co., WA and Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Pasco, Franklin Co., WA;www.newspapers.com/newspage/57229051/Tri-city Herald, Title: Tri-City Herald, State: Washington, County: Franklin, City:...; U.S. Public Records Index Vol.1; ; U.S. Social Security Death Index 1935-2014; Oregon Death Index 1898-2008; Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-Current.
(Sources and additional details for Floyd's early life can be found on his father's memorial page).
Floyd's early childhood was filled with tragedy. His mother left the home in June of 1911, Floyd was 3 1/2 years, and his brother Robert was an infant. Then, 20 June 1913, his father had a vacation day and was taking Floyd fishing. They missed their first train by a few minutes and got on the next one. They were heading north out of Vallejo on an electric car (train)when a southbound car collided with their car, coming through the roof and crushing 13 passengers and injuring another 53 passengers. Floyd was sitting in the seat beside his father. His father was instantly killed, and most of those around Floyd were dead or in the dying process. The rescuers first thought Floyd's legs were broken, however they were determined not broken, just badly bruised. San Francisco Call newspaper reported Floyd calling and crying for his father, and hurting all over when anyone touched him. The physical and emotional trauma Floyd endured would be hard for anyone to overcome.(The newspaper reported Floyd's age as 10, which corresponds with a statement made to his stepsons about really being born in 1903, and not keeping good records back then).
Floyd, 5 1/2 years old, and his two year-old brother Robert were then raised by their paternal grandparents, David Henry and Julia Ann (Jeffries) Grabill of Ione, Morrow County, Oregon. On 26 Aug 1913, two months after the wreck, Floyd and Robert were kidnapped by their mother and stepfather. In court, Grandfather claimed that their mother wanted the boys because they were heirs to $112,000 left by their father at his death.
1920 Census: Floyd's uncle Oren Grabill resided w/them.
Grandmother Julia Ann Jeffries Grabill died 1 March 1926.
THE BEAVER YEARBOOK OF THE OREGON STATE COLLEGE, 1928-1929, page 80: (Corvallis, OR) Floyd Grabill is pictured and named as Class of 1930 Treasurer. According to a stepson, Floyd was days away from graduating with an accounting degree and went to Portland to surprise his girlfriend. She, however, was with another. Floyd did not finish his degree but joined the U.S.Army instead.
Early 1930's in the Army, Floyd spent some time in the Philippines, of which he was proud of his service. 1930 U.S. Census: residence Angel Island, Marin, CA, single, U.S. Army.
Grandfather David Henry Grabill died 5 Aug 1931.
1935: residence Miami, Gila, AZ
1938: Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla, WA. Sentenced for first-degree murder in fatally shooting Richard Cadle while robbing an automotive repair shop with accomplice James R. Lewis, 27, in Seattle on February 18. The theft netted $2.25.
1950, June 2: James R. Lewis (Floyd's partner in the automotive repair shop robbery) was released from Washington State Pen., Walla, Walla, WA.
Sometime between these events (June 2, 1950-1951), Floyd was released from prison.
City Directory information:
1951: Floyd's occupation was a grower for Zigman's Flowers, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1955: Employed by Pilot Rock Mill, Pendleton, OR.
1956, July 1: Marriage to Dorothy Mareydt, residence Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1958: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Donnallys; Floyd worked as a clerk for Pilot Rock Lbr.
1974: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Elwin C. Houle, no occupation was listed for Floyd
1983, June 2: Floyd was fined $29 for disobeying a traffic signal.
Floyd died 3 February 1997 in Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon, age 89.
Sources: U.S. Censuses: 1910, 1920, 1940; California Birth Index 1905-1995;U.S. School Yearbooks 1880-2012 for Solano, CA and Corvalis, OR; 2 clippings, Newspapers.com: Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Page 1 Walla-Walla, Franklin Co., WA and Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Pasco, Franklin Co., WA;www.newspapers.com/newspage/57229051/Tri-city Herald, Title: Tri-City Herald, State: Washington, County: Franklin, City:...; U.S. Public Records Index Vol.1; ; U.S. Social Security Death Index 1935-2014; Oregon Death Index 1898-2008; Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-Current.
(Sources and additional details for Floyd's early life can be found on his father's memorial page).
Floyd Oren Grable was the son of James Floyd Grable and Myrtle Asenath (Simpson) Grable Williams. In the 1910 Census, the family unit was living in Vallejo, Solano County, California, across the water (river/bay) from Mare Island where Floyd's father worked for the US Navy as an ordnance man. Floyd and his parents also had living with them, his maternal grandparents, Robert and Amelia Simpson.
Floyd's early childhood was filled with tragedy. His mother left the home in June of 1911, Floyd was 3 1/2 years, and his brother Robert was an infant. Then, 20 June 1913, his father had a vacation day and was taking Floyd fishing. They missed their first train by a few minutes and got on the next one. They were heading north out of Vallejo on an electric car (train)when a southbound car collided with their car, coming through the roof and crushing 13 passengers and injuring another 53 passengers. Floyd was sitting in the seat beside his father. His father was instantly killed, and most of those around Floyd were dead or in the dying process. The rescuers first thought Floyd's legs were broken, however they were determined not broken, just badly bruised. San Francisco Call newspaper reported Floyd calling and crying for his father, and hurting all over when anyone touched him. The physical and emotional trauma Floyd endured would be hard for anyone to overcome.(The newspaper reported Floyd's age as 10, which corresponds with a statement made to his stepsons about really being born in 1903, and not keeping good records back then).
Floyd, 5 1/2 years old, and his two year-old brother Robert were then raised by their paternal grandparents, David Henry and Julia Ann (Jeffries) Grabill of Ione, Morrow County, Oregon. On 26 Aug 1913, two months after the wreck, Floyd and Robert were kidnapped by their mother and stepfather. In court, Grandfather claimed that their mother wanted the boys because they were heirs to $112,000 left by their father at his death.
1920 Census: Floyd's uncle Oren Grabill resided w/them.
Grandmother Julia Ann Jeffries Grabill died 1 March 1926.
THE BEAVER YEARBOOK OF THE OREGON STATE COLLEGE, 1928-1929, page 80: (Corvallis, OR) Floyd Grabill is pictured and named as Class of 1930 Treasurer. According to a stepson, Floyd was days away from graduating with an accounting degree and went to Portland to surprise his girlfriend. She, however, was with another. Floyd did not finish his degree but joined the U.S.Army instead.
Early 1930's in the Army, Floyd spent some time in the Philippines, of which he was proud of his service. 1930 U.S. Census: residence Angel Island, Marin, CA, single, U.S. Army.
Grandfather David Henry Grabill died 5 Aug 1931.
1935: residence Miami, Gila, AZ
1938: Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla, WA. Sentenced for first-degree murder in fatally shooting Richard Cadle while robbing an automotive repair shop with accomplice James R. Lewis, 27, in Seattle on February 18. The theft netted $2.25.
1950, June 2: James R. Lewis (Floyd's partner in the automotive repair shop robbery) was released from Washington State Pen., Walla, Walla, WA.
Sometime between these events (June 2, 1950-1951), Floyd was released from prison.
City Directory information:
1951: Floyd's occupation was a grower for Zigman's Flowers, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1955: Employed by Pilot Rock Mill, Pendleton, OR.
1956, July 1: Marriage to Dorothy Mareydt, residence Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1958: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Donnallys; Floyd worked as a clerk for Pilot Rock Lbr.
1974: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Elwin C. Houle, no occupation was listed for Floyd
1983, June 2: Floyd was fined $29 for disobeying a traffic signal.
Floyd died 3 February 1997 in Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon, age 89.
Sources: U.S. Censuses: 1910, 1920, 1940; California Birth Index 1905-1995;U.S. School Yearbooks 1880-2012 for Solano, CA and Corvalis, OR; 2 clippings, Newspapers.com: Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Page 1 Walla-Walla, Franklin Co., WA and Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Pasco, Franklin Co., WA;www.newspapers.com/newspage/57229051/Tri-city Herald, Title: Tri-City Herald, State: Washington, County: Franklin, City:...; U.S. Public Records Index Vol.1; ; U.S. Social Security Death Index 1935-2014; Oregon Death Index 1898-2008; Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-Current.
(Sources and additional details for Floyd's early life can be found on his father's memorial page).
Floyd's early childhood was filled with tragedy. His mother left the home in June of 1911, Floyd was 3 1/2 years, and his brother Robert was an infant. Then, 20 June 1913, his father had a vacation day and was taking Floyd fishing. They missed their first train by a few minutes and got on the next one. They were heading north out of Vallejo on an electric car (train)when a southbound car collided with their car, coming through the roof and crushing 13 passengers and injuring another 53 passengers. Floyd was sitting in the seat beside his father. His father was instantly killed, and most of those around Floyd were dead or in the dying process. The rescuers first thought Floyd's legs were broken, however they were determined not broken, just badly bruised. San Francisco Call newspaper reported Floyd calling and crying for his father, and hurting all over when anyone touched him. The physical and emotional trauma Floyd endured would be hard for anyone to overcome.(The newspaper reported Floyd's age as 10, which corresponds with a statement made to his stepsons about really being born in 1903, and not keeping good records back then).
Floyd, 5 1/2 years old, and his two year-old brother Robert were then raised by their paternal grandparents, David Henry and Julia Ann (Jeffries) Grabill of Ione, Morrow County, Oregon. On 26 Aug 1913, two months after the wreck, Floyd and Robert were kidnapped by their mother and stepfather. In court, Grandfather claimed that their mother wanted the boys because they were heirs to $112,000 left by their father at his death.
1920 Census: Floyd's uncle Oren Grabill resided w/them.
Grandmother Julia Ann Jeffries Grabill died 1 March 1926.
THE BEAVER YEARBOOK OF THE OREGON STATE COLLEGE, 1928-1929, page 80: (Corvallis, OR) Floyd Grabill is pictured and named as Class of 1930 Treasurer. According to a stepson, Floyd was days away from graduating with an accounting degree and went to Portland to surprise his girlfriend. She, however, was with another. Floyd did not finish his degree but joined the U.S.Army instead.
Early 1930's in the Army, Floyd spent some time in the Philippines, of which he was proud of his service. 1930 U.S. Census: residence Angel Island, Marin, CA, single, U.S. Army.
Grandfather David Henry Grabill died 5 Aug 1931.
1935: residence Miami, Gila, AZ
1938: Washington State Penitentiary, Walla Walla, WA. Sentenced for first-degree murder in fatally shooting Richard Cadle while robbing an automotive repair shop with accomplice James R. Lewis, 27, in Seattle on February 18. The theft netted $2.25.
1950, June 2: James R. Lewis (Floyd's partner in the automotive repair shop robbery) was released from Washington State Pen., Walla, Walla, WA.
Sometime between these events (June 2, 1950-1951), Floyd was released from prison.
City Directory information:
1951: Floyd's occupation was a grower for Zigman's Flowers, Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1955: Employed by Pilot Rock Mill, Pendleton, OR.
1956, July 1: Marriage to Dorothy Mareydt, residence Pendleton, Umatilla, OR.
1958: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Donnallys; Floyd worked as a clerk for Pilot Rock Lbr.
1974: Floyd's wife worked as a bookkeeper for Elwin C. Houle, no occupation was listed for Floyd
1983, June 2: Floyd was fined $29 for disobeying a traffic signal.
Floyd died 3 February 1997 in Pendleton, Umatilla County, Oregon, age 89.
Sources: U.S. Censuses: 1910, 1920, 1940; California Birth Index 1905-1995;U.S. School Yearbooks 1880-2012 for Solano, CA and Corvalis, OR; 2 clippings, Newspapers.com: Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Page 1 Walla-Walla, Franklin Co., WA and Tri-City Herald>2 June 1950 Pasco, Franklin Co., WA;www.newspapers.com/newspage/57229051/Tri-city Herald, Title: Tri-City Herald, State: Washington, County: Franklin, City:...; U.S. Public Records Index Vol.1; ; U.S. Social Security Death Index 1935-2014; Oregon Death Index 1898-2008; Web: Obituary Daily Times Index 1995-Current.
(Sources and additional details for Floyd's early life can be found on his father's memorial page).
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