52 Ancestors (2020) – Week 12: Popular: Ursula Hork “One of Hamilton’s Most Popular Young Ladies”

This is my third year working on this year-long prompt, hosted by Amy Johnson Crow. I will write each week in one of my two blogs, either Mam-ma’s Southern Family or at My Trails Into the Past. I have enjoyed writing about my children’s ancestors in new and exciting ways.

I thought I would check my RootsMagic database on the word “popular” and see what might come up. Several newspaper articles came up with the word “popular” and one person in my tree has many newspaper articles with her name, both before and after marriage.

Urselle “Ursula” Clementine Hork was born to Johan Anton Hork and Julia Ann Sievert in Portland, Multnomah County, Oregon on 23 Mar 1892.[1] She was the sister of my grandfather, William Cyril Hork.

Hamilton newspapers gave several accounts of Ursula’s school-year activities. In the 4th grade, she was part of the year-end program playing Ye Queen of ye May.[2] She was captain of the volleyball club at her high school.[3] In 1909, she was in the Girl’s Club of Hamilton and hosted the group at her home. The house was “decorated in an effective manner with carnations and ferns, and delicious refreshments were served.”[4]  The following year, she was in the play, “The Whirl o’ the Town,” playing the manicurist and county girl. The play was produced by Eastern Star lodge and performed at the Lucas opera house for two evenings, March 30 and 31.[5] Her brother, Ray, was in the play as well.

In the announcement of her engagement to Bernard V. Schwalen, the article stated “The bride-to-be is one of Hamilton’s most popular young ladies.”[6] I believe the attention paid to Ursula was due to the fact her brother, Tony, was the Clerk and Recorder of the county. Their wedding was also written up. She wore a “beautifully gowned in a creation of cream marquisette over crepe messaline and wore a dainty chiffon hat, with white gloves and slippers.”[7]

Later, they moved to Tacoma, Washington, and Ursula (as Mrs. Bernard V. Schwalen) appeared in many newspaper articles on the society pages. One such article showed she was part of the Comus Club. Here she is pictured in the lower right-hand corner.[8] She was also very active with bridge club.[9]

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[1] Oregon State Archives, Oregon Historical Records Index Detail Information, http://genealogy.state.or.us/start.lasso?location=detail&id=381053, Case#6096, Hork, Ursula Clementine, 03/23/1892, delayed birth, Multnomah Co, Health.

[2] “Last Day of School,” The Western News Stevensville MT), 22 May 1901, p. 8.

[3] “Take Place Today,” Ravalli (Hamilton, Montana) Republic, 6 May 1904, p. 8.

[4] “Society of Hamilton,” The Daily Missoulian (Mt), 5 Apr 1909, p 2.

[5] “Cast is Announced in Hamilton,” The Daily Missourian, 27 Mar 1910, p. 9.

[6] "Miss Urselle Hork To Be Married in June," The Missoulian, 21 May 1913, p. 3.

[7] "Pretty Ceremony Unites Valley Couple,” The Missoulian, 26 Jun 1913, p. 3

[8] Untitled, The Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8 Marc 1925, Section D, p. 1.

[9] Multiple articles appeared in The Tacoma Daily Ledger.

Copyright © 2020 by Lisa S. Gorrell, My Trails into the Past. All Rights Reserved.