Douglas Clifford Wemmer was born in 1908 in Johannesburg, South Africa. His parents were Leonardus Wessel Wemmer and Sophia Louisa MacKenzie.
In 1924, a sixteen-year old Doug left South Africa for the USA. Together with his mother, older brother and younger sister, they embarked upon a lengthy train journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. When they finally arrived in Cape Town, they boarded a Royal Mail Steamer for the UK. Because of rough sea conditions, they literally missed the boat to the USA. The Wemmer family had to wait two weeks for the next available ship.
The Wemmers boarded the Orduna at Southampton in England, and sailed for New York. They arrived in New York on 13 October 1924, and were fortunate enough to experience a piece of history. As the Orduna was approaching the Statue of Liberty, the Graf Zeppelin emerged from the early morning fog and circled New York, completing the first trans-Atlantic crossing.
After passing through immigration at Ellis Island, the Wemmers boarded a train for a five-day journey to Oakland, CA.
Doug did not waste any time finding a job in the land of opportunity. He applied for and got a job as a splicer's assistant with the Pacific Telephone company.
In 1939, Douglas Wemmer married Marie Cole Flores. They were divorced in 1954.
In 1958, Doug married Doris Terry Boardman.
He retired from ‘Ma Bell' - the Pacific Telephone company - in September, 1966. It was the only job Doug ever had. He started as a splicer's helper and ended up as an engineer.
Doug was an excellent marksman and participated in tournaments around the US. He was also a keen photographer, having won several awards for his photographic achievements. His interests included genealogy and calligraphy.
Both Doug and his wife, Doris, were very involved with the United Methodist Church in Fortuna.
Doug's grandfather was Samuel Christian George Wemmer, one of the great pioneers of the City of Johannesburg.
Douglas Clifford Wemmer was 88 years old when he died in Fortuna, Humboldt, CA in 1996.
In 1924, a sixteen-year old Doug left South Africa for the USA. Together with his mother, older brother and younger sister, they embarked upon a lengthy train journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. When they finally arrived in Cape Town, they boarded a Royal Mail Steamer for the UK. Because of rough sea conditions, they literally missed the boat to the USA. The Wemmer family had to wait two weeks for the next available ship.
The Wemmers boarded the Orduna at Southampton in England, and sailed for New York. They arrived in New York on 13 October 1924, and were fortunate enough to experience a piece of history. As the Orduna was approaching the Statue of Liberty, the Graf Zeppelin emerged from the early morning fog and circled New York, completing the first trans-Atlantic crossing.
After passing through immigration at Ellis Island, the Wemmers boarded a train for a five-day journey to Oakland, CA.
Doug did not waste any time finding a job in the land of opportunity. He applied for and got a job as a splicer's assistant with the Pacific Telephone company.
In 1939, Douglas Wemmer married Marie Cole Flores. They were divorced in 1954.
In 1958, Doug married Doris Terry Boardman.
He retired from ‘Ma Bell' - the Pacific Telephone company - in September, 1966. It was the only job Doug ever had. He started as a splicer's helper and ended up as an engineer.
Doug was an excellent marksman and participated in tournaments around the US. He was also a keen photographer, having won several awards for his photographic achievements. His interests included genealogy and calligraphy.
Both Doug and his wife, Doris, were very involved with the United Methodist Church in Fortuna.
Doug's grandfather was Samuel Christian George Wemmer, one of the great pioneers of the City of Johannesburg.
Douglas Clifford Wemmer was 88 years old when he died in Fortuna, Humboldt, CA in 1996.
Douglas Clifford Wemmer was born in 1908 in Johannesburg, South Africa. His parents were Leonardus Wessel Wemmer and Sophia Louisa MacKenzie.
In 1924, a sixteen-year old Doug left South Africa for the USA. Together with his mother, older brother and younger sister, they embarked upon a lengthy train journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. When they finally arrived in Cape Town, they boarded a Royal Mail Steamer for the UK. Because of rough sea conditions, they literally missed the boat to the USA. The Wemmer family had to wait two weeks for the next available ship.
The Wemmers boarded the Orduna at Southampton in England, and sailed for New York. They arrived in New York on 13 October 1924, and were fortunate enough to experience a piece of history. As the Orduna was approaching the Statue of Liberty, the Graf Zeppelin emerged from the early morning fog and circled New York, completing the first trans-Atlantic crossing.
After passing through immigration at Ellis Island, the Wemmers boarded a train for a five-day journey to Oakland, CA.
Doug did not waste any time finding a job in the land of opportunity. He applied for and got a job as a splicer's assistant with the Pacific Telephone company.
In 1939, Douglas Wemmer married Marie Cole Flores. They were divorced in 1954.
In 1958, Doug married Doris Terry Boardman.
He retired from ‘Ma Bell' - the Pacific Telephone company - in September, 1966. It was the only job Doug ever had. He started as a splicer's helper and ended up as an engineer.
Doug was an excellent marksman and participated in tournaments around the US. He was also a keen photographer, having won several awards for his photographic achievements. His interests included genealogy and calligraphy.
Both Doug and his wife, Doris, were very involved with the United Methodist Church in Fortuna.
Doug's grandfather was Samuel Christian George Wemmer, one of the great pioneers of the City of Johannesburg.
Douglas Clifford Wemmer was 88 years old when he died in Fortuna, Humboldt, CA in 1996.
In 1924, a sixteen-year old Doug left South Africa for the USA. Together with his mother, older brother and younger sister, they embarked upon a lengthy train journey from Johannesburg to Cape Town. When they finally arrived in Cape Town, they boarded a Royal Mail Steamer for the UK. Because of rough sea conditions, they literally missed the boat to the USA. The Wemmer family had to wait two weeks for the next available ship.
The Wemmers boarded the Orduna at Southampton in England, and sailed for New York. They arrived in New York on 13 October 1924, and were fortunate enough to experience a piece of history. As the Orduna was approaching the Statue of Liberty, the Graf Zeppelin emerged from the early morning fog and circled New York, completing the first trans-Atlantic crossing.
After passing through immigration at Ellis Island, the Wemmers boarded a train for a five-day journey to Oakland, CA.
Doug did not waste any time finding a job in the land of opportunity. He applied for and got a job as a splicer's assistant with the Pacific Telephone company.
In 1939, Douglas Wemmer married Marie Cole Flores. They were divorced in 1954.
In 1958, Doug married Doris Terry Boardman.
He retired from ‘Ma Bell' - the Pacific Telephone company - in September, 1966. It was the only job Doug ever had. He started as a splicer's helper and ended up as an engineer.
Doug was an excellent marksman and participated in tournaments around the US. He was also a keen photographer, having won several awards for his photographic achievements. His interests included genealogy and calligraphy.
Both Doug and his wife, Doris, were very involved with the United Methodist Church in Fortuna.
Doug's grandfather was Samuel Christian George Wemmer, one of the great pioneers of the City of Johannesburg.
Douglas Clifford Wemmer was 88 years old when he died in Fortuna, Humboldt, CA in 1996.
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