Genealogical Sketch of the Severt Oliver and Amelia Anna (Brocke) Leland Family of Wisconsin, Montana, Idaho and California

I have started writing genealogical sketches, and then will write AI-assisted biographies, of my wife's ancestors by ancestral couple, not by individual ancestor.  

Here is the genealogical sketch for Linda's paternal grandparents Severt Oliver Leland (1878-1940) and Amelia Anna (Brocke) Leland (1884-1975) who married in Helena, Montana in 1904.

Severt Oliver Leland

Severt Oliver Leland was born on August 2, 1878, in London, Dane County, Wisconsin,[1-2] to Norwegian immigrant parents Torger Sjursen Leland (1850-1933) and Anna Ellingsdatter Natvig (1853-1911), who married in 1876. He was the eldest child in what would become a large family with eight siblings: sister Bertina (1879-1903), sister Anna Amanda (1881-1885), brother Theodore Alexander (1883-1964), brother Herman Olaus (1884-1884), sister Mabelle Emelia (1885-1973), brother Lewis Franklin (1887-1947), brother Arthur Henry (1890-1976), and sister Anna Ruth (1893-1988).

In the 1900 United States census, Severt Leland was a boarder in the Thomas Nelson household in Deerfield, Dane County, Wisconsin.[3] He was male, white, age 21, born August 1878, in Wisconsin, father born Norway, mother born Norway, a salesman, can read and write, can speak English.

Amelia Anna Brocke

Amelia Anna Brocke was born on November 1, 1884, in Kendrick, Latah County, Idaho,[4-5] to John Nicholas Brocke (1853-1938) and Anna Grieser (1859-1936), who married in 1877 in Cedar County, Nebraska. She grew up in a large family with six siblings: older sister Etta Susan (1881-1961), older brother John Ineaughe (1878-1931), older brother Frank Nicholas (1879-1919), younger sister Caroline (1883-1965), younger brother Joseph Adolph (1888-1956), younger brother Charles Joseph (1892-1946), and younger brother Nicholas Francis (1894-1945). The Brocke family moved to Nez Perce County, Idaho by 1880, and to Kendrick, Latah County, Idaho by 1883, where it was enumerated in the 1900 United States census.

Life Together

On February 12, 1904, Severt and Amelia were married in Helena, Lewis and Clark County, Montana.[6] He was 25 years old, and she had just turned 19. The young couple settled in the gateway to Yellowstone National Park -- the small railroad town of Gardiner in Park County, Montana. 

Their children were:

• Juanita Bertina Leland, born 15 Jun 1904, Livingston, Park, Montana; married Herman Vincent Caldron, 18 Aug 1942, Virginia City, Storey, Nevada, no children; died 27 Mar 1988, San Jose, Santa Clara, California, United States.
• Evelyn Adeline Leland, born 26 Jun 1905, Gardiner, Park, Montana; married Sigmond Virag, 17 Jul 1926, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, two children; died 29 Jun 1991, Fresno, Fresno, California, United States.
• Harold Arthur Leland, born 1 Aug 1908, Gardiner, Park, Montana; married (1) Frances Pauline Provenzano, abt 12 Sep 1928, San Jose, Santa Clara, California, two children; married (2) Estelle Elizabeth Powers, 10 Sep 1963, Carson City, Ormsby, Nevada; married (3) Olive Myrtle Kinkade, 4 Mar 1970, DeSoto, Florida; died 27 Feb 1996, Lakeport, Lake, California.
• Leo Severt "Lee" Leland, born 19 Aug 1911, Gardiner, Park, Montana; married Edna May Schaffner, 11 Sep 1937, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, two children; died 10 Jun 2002, San Jose, Santa Clara, California.
• Frances Alda "Toots" Leland, born 21 Feb 1915, San Francisco, San Francisco, California; married (1) Dino Walter Iacopetti, 7 Jan 1935, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, one child; (2) partner of Mickey Fenton, bef Nov 1943, California, one child; married (3) Milo George Farnsworth, 25 Jun 1944, Santa Cruz, California; married (4) Marvin Reynolds Juelson, 3 Jul 1955, Redwood City, San Mateo, California, no children; died 20 Jun 1993, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, California.

In the 1910 United States census, the Severt Leland family resided in Gardiner, Park County, Montana.[7]  The household included:

• Severt Leland - head, male, white, age 30, first marriage, 7 years married, born in Wisconsin, father born in Norway, mother born in Norway, naturalized, speaks English, a Retail merchant, works in Groceries, can read and write, lives in a house.
• Amelia Leland - wife, female, white, age 24, first marriage, married 7 years, 3 children born, 3 living, born Idaho, father born West Virginia, mother born Missouri, speaks English, no occupation, can read and write.
• Juanita Leland - daughter, female, white, age 5, single, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho.
• Evelyn Leland - daughter, female, white, age 4, single, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho.
• Yudon [Harold?] Leland - son, male, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho.

Severt lost his mother Anna (Natvig) Leland in 1911 in Deerfield, Wisconsin. 

Around 1915, the Leland family made a significant move to San Francisco, California.

Severt registered for the World War I draft on September 12, 1918, at age 40, though he did not serve overseas.[1]  The draft registration card noted:

• Name: Severt Oliver Leland
• Birth date: 2 August 1879
• Street address: 182 Chattanooga
• Residence place: San Francisco, San Francisco, California
• Physical build: Medium
• Height: Tall
• Hair color: Brown
• Eye color: Light brown
• Nearest relative: Amelia Leland

In the 1920 United States Census, the Severt O. Leland household resided at 182 Chattanooga in Assembly District 34 in San Francisco.[8]  The household included:

• Severt O. Leland, Head of household, Rents home, male, white, age 39, married, born Wisconsin, father born Norway, mother born Norway, can speak English, Clerical occupation, works for Government, a worker
• Amelia A. Leland, Wife, female, white, age 34, married, born Idaho, father born Virginia, mother born Missouri, can speak English, no occupation
• Juanita B. Leland, Daughter, female, white, age 15, single, attended school, able to read, able to write, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, able to speak English, no occupation
• Evelyn A. Leland - Daughter, female, white, age 14, single, attended school, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, able to speak English, no occupation
• Harold Leland, Son, male, white, age 11, single, attended school, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, able to speak English, no occupation
• Severt L. Leland - Son, male, white, age 8, single, attended school, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, no occupation
• Alda F. Leland - Daughter, female, white, age 4-10/12, single, born California, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, no occupation
• Nicholas F. Brocke - Brother-in-law, male, white, age 23, single, born Idaho, father born Virginia, mother born Missouri, able to speak English, an Electrician, works in Iron Works, a worker
• Frank L. Leland - Brother, male, white, age 32, single, born Wisconsin, father born Norway, mother born Norway, able to speak English, no occupation

In the 1930 United States census, the Severt O. Leland family resided at 1287 37th Avenue in San Francisco, California.[]  The household included:

• Severt O. Leland - Head, owned home, worth $2500, had a radio, male, white, age 51, married at 24, able to read and write, born Wisconsin, father born Norway, mother born Norway, speaks English, a Clerk, works in insurance, a worker, employed last week, not a veteran
• Amelia A. Leland - Wife, female, white, age 46, married at 18, able to read and write, born Idaho, father born Virginia, mother born Missouri, speaks English, no occupation
• Juanita B. Leland - Daughter, female, white, age 25, single, can read and write, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, speaks English, a Clerk, works in Bank, a worker, employed last week
• Lee S. Leland - Son, male, white, age 18, single, attended school, can read and write, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, speaks English, no occupation
• Alda F. Leland - Daughter, female, white, age 15, single, attended school, can read and write, born Montana, father born Wisconsin, mother born Idaho, speaks English, no occupation

In the 1940 United States census, the Severt O. Leland family resided at 1287 37th Avenue in San Francisco, California.[10]  The household included (indexed as the Leland Sebert family):

• Sebert Leland - Head, male, white, age 62, married, 8th grade education, born Wisconsin, lived in same house in 1935, worked last week of March, worked 40 hours, occupation Distributing Department, U.S. Navy, $2784 in Wages in 1939
• Amelia Leland - Wife female, white, age 52, married, 2 years high school education, born Idaho, lived in same house in 1935, no employment
• Alda Leland - Daughter, female, white, age 25, divorced, 3 years high school education, born California, lived in same place in 1935, seeking employment, 20 hours of work in last week, a Sales clerk, in Retail department store
• Juanita Leland - Daughter, female, white, age 35, single, 2 years high school education, born Montana, lived in same house in 1935, worked last week of March, worked 40 hours, a Stenographer, Hardware company, $1200 wages in 1939
• Diane Leland - granddaughter, female, white, age 4, single, no school, born California

Family Losses

Amelia's brother Frank Nicholas Brocke died in Idaho in January 1919, followed by her brother John Ineaughe Brocke in June 1931. On March 18, 1933, Severt's father Torger Leland passed away in San Francisco at age 82, having lived long enough to see his son well-established in California.

Amelia lost both her parents in the late 1930s—her mother Anna in March 1936 in Kendrick, Idaho, and her father John Nicholas in December 1938 in Lewiston, Idaho. By this time, Amelia and Severt had been married for over 36 years and had successfully raised five children to adulthood.

Severt's Passing

Severt Oliver Leland died on November 2, 1940, in San Francisco at age 62.[2,11]  He was buried in Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County, California in Mausoleum #2, West Wall Stars 2.[11] 

Amelia's Long Widowhood

After Severt's death, Amelia lived as a widow for 35 years, mainly with her daughter Alda and her children in Redwood City, San Mateo County, California. 

During these decades, she endured the loss of several siblings: Nicholas Francis Brocke in August 1945, Charles Joseph Brocke in April 1946, Joseph Adolph Brocke in June 1956, Etta Susan (Brocke) Hagist in November 1961, and finally Caroline (Brocke) Wilcox in March 1965. 

Amelia Anna Leland passed away on July 30, 1975, in Redwood City, San Mateo County, California, at the age of 90. The death notice in the San Francisco Chronicle newspaper dated 1 August 1975 on page 20 says:

“LELAND, Amelia Anna -- In Redwood City, July 30, 1975. Amelia Anna Leland, beloved wife of the late Severt Leland; beloved mother of Harold Leland of Punta Gorda, Fla. and Leo of San Francisco, Mrs. Juantia Caldron of San Jose, Mrs. Evelyn Virag of Pioneer and Mrs. Alda Juelson of Redwood City; survived by eight grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild; a native of Lewiston, Idaho; aged 90 years.

“Friends are invited to attend funeral services Friday at 2 p.m. at CRIPPEN & FLYNN CHAPEL, 400 Woodside Road, Redwood City. Inurnment, private. Offerings to favorite charity preferred."

She was buried at Alta Mesa Memorial Park in Palo Alto, Santa Clara County with her husband.[12]  

Their Legacy

Severt and Amelia's five children all lived long lives:

• Juanita Bertina (Leland) Caldron (1904-1988) lived 84 years
• Evelyn Adeline (Leland) Virag (1905-1991) lived 86 years
• Harold Arthur Leland (1908-1996) lived 88 years
• Leo Severt Leland (1911-2002) lived 91 years
• Frances Alda (Leland) Juelson (1915-1993) lived 78 years

SOURCES:

1. "U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," digital images, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), Severt Oliver Leland entry, born 2 August 1878.

2. "California, U.S.,  Death Index, 1940-1997," online database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org), Severt O. Leland entry, 1878-1940.

3.  1900 United States Federal Census, Latah County, Idaho, Kendrick Precinct, Enumeration District 66, Page 8A (stamped), Dwelling # 166, Family #167; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T623, Roll 233.

4. "California Death Index, 1940-1997," database. FamilySearch, Amelia A. Leland entry, 1884-1975.

5.  Social Security Administration, "U.S. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014," database, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), Amelia Leland (1884-1975) entry.

6. "Montana County Marriages, 1865–1950", imaged, FamilySearch (https//familysearch.org), Severt Leland and Amelia Brocke entry, 12 February 1904.

7. 1910 United States Federal Census, Park County, Montana, population schedule, Gardiner township, Enumeration District 202, Page 2B, Dwelling #1, Family #1, Severt Leland household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T624, Roll 834.

8. 1920 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule,  San Francisco Assembly District 24, Enumeration District 302, Page 5A, Dwelling #318, Family #80, Severt O. Leland household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives Microfilm Series T625, Roll 14.

9. 1930 United States Federal Census, San Francisco County, California, San Francisco, ED 192, Sheet 9B, Severt O. Leland household;  imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T626, Roll 201.

10. 1940 United States Census, San Francisco County, California, population schedule, San Francisco: ED 38-405, Page 61A, Household #10, Leland Sebert household; imaged, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com), citing National Archives Microfilm Publication T627, Roll 313.

11. Find A Grave, imaged,  (https://www.findagrave.com), Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, Calif.,  Severt Oliver Leland (1878-1940) memorial # 87720592.

12. Find A Grave, Alta Mesa Memorial Park, Palo Alto, Calif., Mrs. Amelia Anna Brocke Leland (1884-1975) memorial #149109708.

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