Biographies: Anah Robert Jennings and Helen Elizabeth Wedhoff, Wallowa Co., Oregon ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ Donated by Julie Jennings Botts March 2002 *********************************************************************** Anah Robert Jennings and Helen Elizabeth Wedhoff Anah Robert Jennings was born to Ed and Edith Hall Jennings on Aug. 26 1899, in Joseph, Oregon. He was the youngest of four children. His parents were well respected citizens of the community. Helen Elizabeth Wedhoff was born in Portland, Oregon to Alfred and Matilda Johnson Wedhoff on March 6 1905. Her father was of German decent and her mother, at age 16 came from Norway to live with her brothers. Helen has a brother, Wallace Robert. He lives in California. The family made many moves including Joseph to operate a restaurant in Wendle Idaho where they had an orchard: and on to Chicago and employed five other barbers and a boot black In Helens fathers barber shop. Helen attended a business college and after graduating took a job as a secretary. In June of 1924 Helen took a two week vacation to Joseph to visit her uncle George's widow, Edith Holst. During this visit she met Anah Jennings, Edith's son. They were married a few months after her arrival on Sept 8, 1924. Their first child was born on March 27 1926 He was named Anah Alfred, later nicknamed Jerry by a man he worked for who found the name Anah too hard to remember. The couple lived in a rental house owned by Anah's mother. They lived there a few years then moved to a ranch east of Joseph about a mile. The ranch was about one hundred and seventy acres in size. They raised grain and alfalfa. They had milk cows , brood sows and chickens. They took cream to the local creamery each week. Twice a year they would take one hundred or more fat hogs to market. They sold milk and eggs also. When the depression hit they were forced to sell most of the livestock. The hogs sold for about $3.00 apiece and the milk cows for about $20.00. Two daughters were born while on this ranch Betty Mae Sept.9,1929 , and Rita Louise, Sept 8, 1932. The three lakes country ,east of Joseph was their next home. It was a ranch they had rented from the land bank. Again they raised cows , chicken and sheep. A daughter, Ada Lou , was born on Jan 28, 1934. Due to complications they lost her a few hrs. after her birth. In the fall of 1934 they moved to the Doc Thompsons place in town. Joyce Helen was born here on July 1,1936. Anah worked for Roy Daggett, driving log truck at the time. For health reasons the family moved to the Portland area. Two daughters were born Getta Ann Nov. 13, 1939 , and Sharon Lee, May 6, 1941., while living there. Anah had a few different jobs including working at the shipyards. His job there was to mount guns on the decks of warships. At the outbreak of the war their son Jerry entered the Navy. They stayed in the Portland area until Jerry was discharged. The lower Imnaha was their next place of residence. They raised a big garden and sold tomatoes as their main crop. Anah and Jerry drove to Joseph and back each day to work at Millers Mill. In 1950 Anah went to work for the Napoleon Beaudoin, ranching. They lived on the ranch until the fall when Anah accepted the job as the City Marshall. For fourteen years Anah handled the job as Marshal. He did all the chores of Maintenance man as well. He had the use of 5 other deputies during Chief Joseph Days. On Nov 10, 1963 Anah underwent surgery and on May 15, 1964 he passed away at their home. Helen is still living at their home.