Elton John Green

14 February 1928 - 23 October 1999

The Story -

     Elton was born on the 14th of February, 1928, to Frederick Arthur and Beatrice Isabel (Dilts) Green, at the family's home in White Bear Lake , Ramsey Co. MN. It must have been an extra special day to Fred and Bea, to have their first child born on Valentine's Day!
    In 1931, Fred, Bea, and children Elton, Lloyd, and Anna May, moved to Remer, and took up farming. Why the family moved to Remer is "unknown". Perhaps the depression had something to do with it, as there might not have been any jobs available in the "big city". Land was obtained, and a little cabin was built, along what is now refered to as the "Skunk Road", near Big Sand Lake. This place was evidently unsatisfactory for farm life, as they soon built a cabin on the east side of Little Sand Lake, which was about four miles north of Remer.
Back then, and in some cases yet today, farming was more of a way of "existing", rather than an "occupation". The family grew what they could in their garden, kept some cattle for meat and milk, and did some hunting and fishing. Any extra milk was taken to town and sold at the creamery. After a few years, Fred and Bea were tired of just "existing", as they took the opportunity of "greener pastures" elsewhere. Some would say they were part Gypsy. Once they were on the move again, their wandering took them back to White Bear Lake, Minnesota; Burlington, Iowa; Globe, Arizona; and Mexico, before finally settling down again "permanently" in Minnesota in the 1940's.     Fred's natural talents, and "learn on the go" farming skills, developed into mechanical
skills. With the advent of Henry Fords $500 dollar cars,and World War II in the horizon, Fred's talents came in handy. He managed to find jobs in Arizona and Mexico as a civilian helping Uncle Sam in the war effort.
    The 1940's found the Fred Green family back in Remer. Once again,I'm not sure of the "lure", but farming was the calling again.After working for "Uncle", Fred probably wanted to be his "own boss!" This time, land was obtained in a new location, close to Big Sand Lake, about two miles west of Remer. Perhaps it was Bea and the evolving of the "Women's Sufferage" movement, or perhaps Bea just "plain suffered" enough, as the family moved into an actual "house" this time! Bea didn't move into a fairy tale "dream house" however, as I heard the story of Bea naming the wood heating barrel stove, "The Black Bastard". Seems the stove pipe decided to fall apart wilst many loaves of fresh baked bread were setting out to cool.
Elton, our main character, was growing up fast. Even today, Remer has a hard time "holding" the attentions of many a young man. To "See the World", or Stare at the "ass end" of a cow for life ....It wasn't a hard choice for Elton to "move on". Join the Army, and get a free ride out of town, was the plan. Elton, and his little brother Lloyd, a.k.a. as "Skee", were gone quicker than a Minnesota summer. Elton and Skee spent time together in Boot Camp,at Fort Knox, Louisville, Kentucky, and then the Army sent them their separate ways. Elton was off to Fort Brag,Fayetteville, North Carolina. Elton's interest in Remer were not entirely forgotten, as he left a pretty little girl behind. Violet Hicks was her name. Elton was taking "no chances" on those "Southern Girls", so he asked Vi for her hand in marriage before leaving Remer.
Violet said yes..... She wanted a "man of the world!" and adventure! ..... not playing second fiddle to some "farmer Brown" in Remer. Vi was soon on a train with her girlfriend, and maid of honor, to wed the newly settled Elton in North Carolina. A visit to a little chapel was soon arranged upon Vi's arrival, and Elton and Vi were "Man and Wife". They soon were established, and set up in their very own trailer-house. Taj Mah Hall it wasn't, but it was a cozy start, to over 50 years of marriage.
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