Harry Nugent Rounsefell

26 April 1900 - 11 January 1985

Early Years (1900 - 1918):

Harry Rounsefell was born in Chilliwack, British Columbia to George Forsyth Rounsefell and his wife, Lilian Louise Perrault Thompson Rounsefell on the 26^th of April, 1900. Born the fourth of what would be six living children, his twin brother, George, did not survive.

While Harry's earliest years were spent in Chilliwack, his father managed the New England Salmon Cannery in Ketchikan, Alaska. Some time before 1905, the family moved to Ketchikan. Harry's younger brother, George Armytage, and sister, Ruth Elizabeth were both born there.

On the 13^th of November, 1911, Harry's family became naturalized U.S. citizens. Harry maintained his dual citizenship throughout his lifetime.

Harry attended several private schools, including Las Gatos in California and the old Columbia Prep School in Portland, Oregon.

Early Military Career (1918 - 1921):

In August of 1918, Harry joined the Canadian Royal Aviation Corps. He went to Toronto for training, but the War ended before he was able to join the fight. He was discharged in 1919.

He then had an abbreviated tour in the US Merchant Marine, which included a voyage to Hawaii. It is said he "jumped ship," in order to join the U.S. Navy in December 1919.

On 11 March, 1921, he graduated from the US Naval Aviation Mechanics' School in Great Lakes, Illinois as a Machinist Mate. His final class standing was first in a class of 58.

From there, he was stationed in San Diego, California, where he played End in the North Island Naval Air Station Football Team. As an aircraft mechanic, he flew in many of the old biplanes and blimps. He received his Honorable Discharge on the 14^th of December 1921.

His piercing blue eyes, brown hair, and ruddy complexion made him quite handsome.

College and Family (1921 - 1928):

After leaving the Navy, Harry entered Oregon Agricultural College (Now Oregon State University) in Corvallis, Oregon. There he studied Logging Engineering. It was also there that he met his bride-to-be, Mrs. Ruth Millicent Lingle Wilson.

Ruth was born in Sycamore, Clackamas Co., Oregon on the 2^nd of October 1896. She married James Harold Wilson on her birthday in 1917. He then went to fight in the Great War, but died in the influenza pandemic in December of 1918. They were married only 14 months. From the marriage, Ruth inherited land in Damascus, Clackamas Co., Oregon, and received enough insurance money to send herself and her sisters to college.

Ruth was a stellar athlete at OAC, becoming the first woman athlete there to earn three Varsity Letters. She also set four school records in the 60-yard hurdles, broad jump, high jump, and shot put. She tied the 1923 U.S. world record in the women's high jump at 4 feet 7¼ inches. She was captain of the track, varsity baseball, and varsity basketball teams.

During her senior year, she became the first woman member of the Gamma Sigma Delta National Agricultural Graduate Fraternity. She graduated from OAC in 1924.

Marriage:

Harry and Ruth were married on the 12^th of November 1927 in her parents' house in Damascus, Oregon. Then they returned to Corvallis and built a house while Harry completed his senior year.

Their first son, James Lawrence, was born on the 9^th of August 1928 while they were in Corvallis.

Harry graduated from Oregon Agricultural College in 1928 with a Bachelor's Degree in Logging Engineering.

The couple returned to Ruth's farm in Damascus and began farming.

Their son, Robert Lingle, was born in Damascus.

The Depression Years (1929 - 1942):

When the Depression hit, Harry took and passed the U.S. Civil Service test for Junior Forester, one of only four in the United States. He went to work for the U.S. Forest Service in East Texas. The family moved with him. They stayed in Texas until Harry enlisted in the U. S. Naval Reserve (Active) in 1942.

World War II:

While serving as an Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, and then First Class, Harry was stationed in San Francisco and in Guam.

He received his Honorable Discharge on the 1^st of March, 1945.

Damascus (1945 - 1985):

After leaving the Navy, Harry returned to the family farm in Damascus. They raised Daffodils and flowers, then later Strawberries. He and Ruth became the owner-operators of the Damascus Telephone Company, and were active members of the local Grange.

In 1958, Harry returned to the U.S. Forest Service, and was stationed at the Estacada Ranger District in Oregon.

He served as a volunteer in the Boring Rural Fire District, and was elected to the Board of Directors there. He served on the board for ten years, during the building of a new fire station - that is still in use.

Harry retired from the Forest Service in 1966 and established Harry & Ruth's Christmas Tree Farm in Damascus. Was one of the earliest members of the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association.

The Christmas Tree Farm was to keep him active throughout the rest of his life. His sons, now grown with families of their own, helped him run the farm. They gradually took over the burden as the years passed.

Harry & Ruth's Christmas Tree Farm

The farm became well known throughout the years, achieving landmark status in the late 1970's and early 1980's. In 1974, with the help of his sons, Harry added a live steam train as an attraction. Media coverage of the farm and its train became an annual event. And the train's whistle could be heard for miles around.

Finally, in the wee hours of the 11^th of January, 1985, Harry's heart stopped working, and he passed quietly into endless sleep.

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