Historic Hood River
Apple Harvest
9-9-2020
Notes
This is one of my favorite apple picking images. It’s from the McIntosh collection. I don’t have an identification of the pickers, but I did find this reference to “Grandma McIntosh” being the oldest women to ever prove up a homestead in Oregon. She was over 80 when granted a patent to her upper valley claim.
Charlott
Okay, I don’t know anything about McIntosh. But I DO KNOW EXACTLY WHO the women in this photo are.
These are the daughters of Warren and Molly (Paisley) Wells of Pine Grove. Eldest daughter standing up is Elsie who married Rod Olson. Sitting in the checkered dress is Harriett (Hattie). She was the mother of Athalie (Miller) Lage. In the middle is Goldie who was married to Larry Knighton. Last but not least is Jessie who married a man by the name of Cozad.
This photo would have been taken on their orchard property in the area where Eastside and Whiskey Creek meet. I am fairly certain this was taken before their father died in 1913 when he was thrown onto the rocks on the Hood River bridge as Goldie was 9 at that time and I don’t think she is that old in this photo.
As to the men. On the far left could very well be Warren Wells, as I have never seen any photos of him, but he does fit many of the characteristics of others within the Wells family. That is probably the son, who was the oldest of the children, as he looks very similar to other photos I have of him.
Roger Sheldrake
I wouldn’t give much credit to whomever pruned that tree but that’s an amazing amount of apples!
Jeffrey W Bryant
I like the combination of props and ropes for supporting the load on the tree.
Arlen L Sheldrake
appears to me that they are dressed for church…….
ArthurB
Thanks for letting us know who these folks are, Charlott. I assumed from the McIntosh association this was a westside family, but now we know better. Two days in a row with complete photo IDs.
I definitely appreciate how modern pruning techniques can allow a tree to hold a heavy crop without need to prop up the branches. I think the semi-dwarf varieties help with that too.
nels
May be a dumb question, but is this possibly the origin of the Macintosh apple?
ArthurB
Wikipedia says John McIntosh developed the McIntosh apple in 1811 in Upper Canada.
Wendell
"Grandma McIntosh" was Susan (Gregory) McIntosh and yes she did take out land in the upper Hood River Valley.
Barbara Parsons
How did Mr. Wells get thrown onto the rocks?