Ward Kendall Palmer
Born on 26 January 1912, Kendall or Ken was the younger brother of Phil's grandfather, Nelson Palmer. Thus he is Phil's "grand" or great- uncle. According to his niece Dianne Palmer Wetjen, he was a high spirited guy who could tell stories and play the piano while singing a tune. He had a small pug terrier named Boots who would howl and jump around while Ken was playing. He was married twice, both woman named Mary.
Ken lived with his first wife, Mary Chamberlin, in Dunkirk and Batavia New York. He served as Vice President at the Bank of Fredonia and then at Liberty Bank and Trust in the late 50s and early 60s. He was active in the community as there are articles about his involvement in school and civic affairs. In May of 1961, he was elected president of the Chatauqua County Bankers Association.
Some time after Mary Chamberlain Palmer died of a brain tumor, Kendall met another Mary while visiting his sister and brother-in-law, Marguerite and Paul Mohney, in Florida. He later moved to Florida where he died 10 June 1989 in Boynton Beach, Palm Beach County.
It is fascinating for me to realize how long the "Florida connection" has been going on with the Palmer family. I guess our Marco Island home is just another link in the chain.
Some of my goals for Great-Uncle Kendall is to find him in the 1940 census. I'd like to know where he went to school, when he moved to Florida, and when his marriages took place. There is also an adopted daughter, Bonnie, to find. So many mysteries - all of which could have been solved if I had asked the right questions at the right time!
Your plan to discuss ancestors during their birthday month is clever. I wish I had thought of that instead of just hippity hopping around like I'm doing now.
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