Page 49 - Family History

Family Stories

Representative from this district in 1909-1910. He was appointed Post Master
under the Taft Administration in 1911 and served his term. Elmer was also an

ardent fisherman. Maurice was a land title surveyor. Charles H. was an
attorney in Elgin, Illinois. All of the sons did well.

Elmer Ellsworth “Pete” Fisher and his wife Mary Augusta (Gussie) Corgan
Fisher had two children – Howard Elmer and Athelene Augusta. According to
Athelene, Howard could do no wrong. As children, if either child misbehaved,

Athelene was punished first. By Athelene’s account, she recalled many years of
perceived preferential consideration of Howard by their parents. Howard was
handsome, but apparently lacked discipline and character. Both Elmer
Ellsworth and Alantha Joan Fisher had red hair. It is family legend that it came

through the Bales line.

Athelene’s best friend was Mamie Matthews. She “fell” for Howard, much to the
dismay of Athelene. Howard and Mamie eloped to Port Townsend. It is suspected
that Mamie’s parents found Howard ill-suited for their daughter as well.

While pregnant with Alantha Joan, Howard became afflicted with a condition

confirming his infidelities. Mamie had had enough. Howard and Mamie were
divorced in March 1918 – one month before Alantha Joan was born. Howard
decided it was time to join the Navy and left town. Letters kept by Mamie show
a concerned but contrite Howard, but it is sensed Mamie had heard it all before.

Still, after making such a mess of his life, Gussie and Elmer thought Howard
just was getting a “bad rap.” It was Athelene, however, who would have nothing
to do with Howard from that time on.

Howard drifted from job to job. He helped his father in the drugstore for a time,
was a custodian at the (then) new Clallam County City Hall building, and
even ran the mail by boat down the Sound as far as Tatoosh Island. He served

during the Second World War with the Merchant Marine. Howard held the rank
of Commander in the U.S. Transport Service. He had the Navy Cross for Valor
at Pearl Harbor and a service ribbon with a Bronze Star. Mamie remarried in
1920 to George Secor. She died of a burst appendix within two years. Howard

again also married to Vivian Heiser in 1924, but had no further issue with his
new wife.

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