| Life Story
|
Ella Comstock worked in the Spinning Room as a spooler at TKWM for a short period prior to her marriage, briefly in 1909 and again in the 1930s. Her husband Oscar Donaldson also worked at the mill.
Ella Myra Comstock was born 5 Aug 1887 in Clio, Iowa to parents Edgar and Minnie [Burk] Comstock. Her family came to Salem by 1900. She attended school in Salem, completing her first year of high school prior to leaving for employment. She found work at the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill where she met her future husband Oscar Donaldson.
She married Oscar Donaldson 7 Nov 1906 at the home of her parents in Salem. The couple would go on to have four children. During this period Oscar left employment at the mill to try his hand at construction work. The family lived at several different addresses in downtown Salem.
With the start of WWI, Oscar came back to the Mill with his siblings Emil, George, Hilge and Augusta. The extended Donaldson family were close knit. The brothers were members of the Woodmen of the World organization, played amateur baseball, and participated in song and dance musicals together in the community.
By 1940, Oscar was overseeing the spinning room at TKWM and son Oscar Jr. (Leonard) had joined him. Oscar and Ella owned a home at 1590 S. Cottage St. In Salem. Oscar retired from TKWM in 1952 along with his brother Hilge. He passed away 23 Jun 1956 after a heart attack. He was 70 years old. Ella lived to age 84 and passed away 2 Nov 1971 in Salem, Or. She is buried with Oscar in Belcrest Memorial Park. |
| Salem City Directories |
1905 Comstock Ella M spooler TKWM Co, bds 556 Bellevue
1908 Donaldson Oscar L, carder TKWM Co, res 395 S 17th
1909 Comstock Ella M spooler TKWM Co, bds 556 Bellevue
1913 Donaldson Oscar L (Ella), lather, res 1460 S Cottage
1917 Donaldson Oscar L (Ella M), shingler, res 1460 S Cottage
1924 Donaldson Oscar L (Ella), laborer T K Woolen Mill Co, h 1490 S Cottage
1928 Donaldson Oscar L (Ella) spinner T K Woolen Mill Co h 1590 S Cottage
1930 Donaldson Oscar L (Ella M) spinner T K Woolen Mill Co h1590 S Cottage
1932 Donaldson Ella M Mrs spooler T K Woolen Mill Co r 1590 S Cottage
1932 Donaldson Oscar L (Ella M) spinner T K Woolen Mill Co h1590 S Cottage
1935 Donaldson Oscar L (Ella M) spinner TKWM Co h 1590 S Cottage
1971 Donaldson Ella M (Wid Oscar L) retd h1590 Cottage St. SE |
| Federal / County Census Records |
1900 Ella M. Comstock. Age: 12. Birth Date: Aug 1887 in Iowa. Home in 1900: Salem Ward 4, Marion, OR. Single, daughter to HOH. Occupation: Student. Additional household members: Edgar Comstock, age 59 (father), Mary Z. Comstock, age 42 (mother), Della G. Comstock, age 19 (sister), Oscar W. Comstock, age 17 (brother), Fred L. Comstock, age 15 (brother), Evert L. Comstock, age 8 (brother), Clyde C. Comstock, age 6 (brother), Bessie Comstock, age 4 (sister).
1905 Marion County Census Comstock, Ella. Age: 18. Birthplace: Iowa. Additional Household Members: E.L. Comstock, age 44. Minnie Comstock, age 46. Roy Comstock, age 14. Clyde Comstock, age 11. Bessie Comstock, age 9.
1910 Ella Donaldson. Age: 22. Birth Date: 1888 in Iowa. Home in 1910: Bellevue St. Salem Ward 4, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household members: Oscar L. Donaldson, age 23 (husband), Ercel Donaldson, age 1 (son).
1920 Ella Donaldson. Age: 32. Birth Year: abt 1888 in Iowa. Home in 1920: South Cottage St. Salem Ward 7, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household members: Oscar Donaldson, age 33 (husband), Ercel Donaldson, age 10 (son), Maxine Donaldson, age 8 (daughter), Leonard Donaldson, age 3 (son).
1930 Ella Donaldson. Age: 41. Birth Year: abt 1889 in Iowa. Home in 1930: 1590 South Cottage St., Salem, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household members: Oscar L. Donaldson, age 43 (husband), Ercel G. Donaldson, age 21 (son), Maxine M. Donaldson, age 19 (daughter), Oscar L. Donaldson, age 13 (son), Joan C. Donaldson, age 7 (daughter).
1940 Ella Donaldson. Age: 51. Birth Year: abt 1889 in Iowa. Home in 1940: 1597 South Cottage St., Salem, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household members: Oscar L. Donaldson, age 43 (husband), Ercel G. Donaldson, age 21 (son), Maxine M. Donaldson, age 19 (daughter), Oscar L. Donaldson, age 13 (son), Joan C. Donaldson, age 7 (daughter).
1950 Ella M. Donaldson. Age: 61. Birth Date: abt 1889 in Iowa. Home in 1950: 1590 S. Cottage St., Salem, Marion, OR. Married, wife to HOH. Additional household member: Oscar L. Donaldson, age 64 (husband). |
