Generations at the Table
Biographies:
Adeline (Silva) Brass
Adeline (Silva) Brass was born in May of 1911[1] to Joseph Silva and Mary (Brum) Silva.[2] Joseph and Mary were both of Portuguese heritage; Joseph immigrated to the U.S. around 1911[3] from the Azores Islands[4], and Mary’s parents immigrated around 1873[5] also from the Azores Islands[6]. Joseph was a dairy farmer[2] [7], and the family moved between Santa Barbara, Los Alamos, and the Tepusquet area of the Santa Maria Valley while Adeline was growing up alongside her siblings Velma and Vernon[8].
She attended Santa Maria High School and graduated in 1930.[2] Adeline appears to have enjoyed being active in a variety of activities at this time in her life[10]. In high school, she participated in Glee Club[11], Spanish Club, French Club, and CSF[12]. She held the offices of Class Vice President and Class Reporter during her senior year, and she participated in various school musical productions[13] [14]. She was also involved in several spirit activities and athletics: Point & Letter Club, Hockey Team[15], and Speed Ball. Outside of school, she was involved in 4-H (sewing groups[16] and leadership[17]) and was active in the local Portuguese community[1] [18]. After graduation, she attended Santa Maria Junior College (now Allan Hancock College) and Santa Barbara’s Teachers College (now UC Santa Barbara[19])[2].
Adeline met Manuel Brass in high school[20], and they married in August of 1934[21]. After multiple celebrations with both friends and family[22] [23], they had a small family ceremony at the Santa Ines Mission and honeymooned in Lake Tahoe[21] before returning to Santa Maria to create their home on East Sunset Avenue[24]. While initially working at a local notions store[21], she quickly settled into a role as homemaker[24] while Manuel worked for a trucking company[21].
The years immediately following their marriage were filled with big changes for Adeline and Manuel. Manuel founded the NBC Trucking Company in 1935, which he operated until 1952[25]. The same year, the couple welcomed a daughter in July[26] after being showered by family, friends, and neighbors in June[27]. They celebrated her baptism at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in August[28]. A son followed a few years later in February of 1938[29].
By 1950, the family had moved to a larger home on E Cook Street[30]. Adeline appears to have made a comfortable and efficient home here with a large garden that grew much of the food that she prepared for her family[19]. During this time period, Adeline was awarded year after year for her baked goods, preserves, and homegrown flowers at the Santa Barbara County Fair. She was awarded the baked goods sweepstakes winner in both 1954[31] and 1956[32] and placed in numerous categories in other years[33] [34] [35]. In addition to being an avid gardener and home cook as well as keeping busy with her household[36], she also remained active in her community during this time; she was involved in the Minerva Club as early as 1952[37] and remained involved in the Portuguese community as she had been in her youth[1]. She also remained active as a member of the Catholic Daughters of America[38] and joined Manuel at the Santa Maria Country Club, where he enjoyed playing golf[39].
Manuel retired in 1973 from the Hansen Equipment Company and filled his time with active memberships with the Santa Maria DES Club, Kiwanis, and Elks Lodge[25]. He passed away in 1992 at the age of 84[25].
Adeline continued to fill her time with her family and friends as well as her hobbies of cooking and gardening at her home on East Cook St until the age of 98[1]. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 103, just 13 days away from turning 104[1].
Then vs. Now
Santa Maria, California
According to voter registration records, Manuel and Adeline Brass lived in their home on East Sunset Ave by 1938. The structure that is currently at their address is a two bedroom, one bathroom home that was originally built in 1925. It is a single story Spanish-style house with 900 square feet of living space and a one car attached garage and carport. (Realtor.com)
Santa Maria, California
According to census records, the Brass family was living in their home on East Cook St in 1950. However, it appears as though they were the original owners of the property and most likely moved there in 1949; Adeline’s obituary notes that they built the home, and the structure currently at this address was originally built in 1949. The home is currently a three bedroom, two bathroom house that boasts two stories and 1,834 square feet of living space. (Realtor.com)
Citations
[1] Adeline Silva Brass Obituary, Santa Maria Times, vol. 134, no. 25, 16 May 2015, pg B2
[2] “Celebration of 95 Years.” Santa Maria Times, vol. 125, no. 121, 20 August 2006, pg 17
[3] 1930 U.S. Census, population schedule, Sisquoc, Santa Barbara County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 42-50, sheet 3a, dwelling 62, family 62, Joe R. Silva household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T626, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 22 August 2024).
[4] Joseph R. Silva Obituary, Santa Maria Times, 29 June 1961, pg 2
[5] 1900 U.S. Census, population schedule, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 22, sheet 10, dwelling 387, family 238, Manuel Brum Household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T623, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 22 August 2024).
[6] “Descendants of Early-Day Settlers Host Reunion BBQ.” Time Press Recorder, vol. 94, no. 10, 4 August 1982, pg 14
[7] “Annual Luncheon Held at Community Center.” Santa Maria Times, vol. 133, no. 207, 14 November 2014, pg A1
[8] “Mary Silva Feted.” Santa Maria Times. 11 November 1983, pg 7
[9] “100 Graduate This Evening in Auditorium.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 13, no. 59, 12 June 1930, pg 1
[10] Santa Maria Union High School, The Review, 1930, vol 35, (Santa Maria, California)
[11] “High School Notes.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 12, no. 28, 12 October 1929, pg 2
[12] “High School Notes.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 12, no. 24, 18 September 1929, pg 4
[13] “‘Bells of Beaujolais’ Presented by Students at High School Tonight.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 11, no. 4, 28 April 1928, pg 4
[14] “Blue Maskers Present Review This Evening.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 11, no. 329, 12 April 1929, pg 1
[15] Tognazzini, Marvin. “High School Sports.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 10, no. 197, 29 October 1927, pg 2
[16] “Sisquoc Farm Bureau Presented Program by Clothing Club Girls.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 12, no. 11, 25 June 1929, pg 2
[17] “Sisquoc Four-H Club Reorganizes.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 14, no. 40, 29 January 1931, pg 5
[18] “Portuguese Open Forty-First Annual Convention Here With More Than 300 in Attendance.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol. 10, no. 178, 10 October 1927, pg 5
[19] Harding, Kyle. “Annual Luncheon Held at Community Center.” Santa Maria Times, 14 November 2014, pg A1
[20] “Mr. and Mrs. Manuel Brass Celebrate 40th Anniversary.” Santa Maria Times, September 21 1974, pg 4
[21] “Adeline Silva is Married Monday.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol 17, no. 98, 7 August 1934, pg 3
[22] “Many Attend Silva, Brass Shower.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol. 17, no. 96, 4 August 1934, pg 2
[23] “Miss Silva Feted at Shower.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol. 17, no. 89, 27 July 1934, pg 5
[24] 1938-1940 Voter Registration, Santa Maria Precinct, Santa Barbara County, California, California State Library microfilm publication, roll 005, pg 706, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 23 August 2024).
[25] Manual A. Brass Obituary, Santa Maria Times, vol. 110, no. 72, 15 July 1992, pg 6
[26] “Recent Births Recorded Here.” Santa Maria Daily Times, 5 July 1935, pg 5
[27] “Shower Given in Simas Home.” Santa Maria Daily Times, vol. 18, no. 55, 17 June 1935, pg 3
[28] “Christening and Anniversary Observed.” Santa Maria Daily Times, 12 August 1935, pg 2
[29] “One Baby Born.” Santa Maria Daily Times. 23 February 1938, pg 3
[30] 1950 U.S. Census, population schedule, Santa Maria, Santa Barbara County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 42-115, sheet 22, house no. 814, Manuel A. Brass household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T626, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 23 August 2024).
[31] “Sweepstakes Winners at Fair Named.” Santa Maria Times, 21 July 1954, pg 1
[32] “Fair Home Economics Sweepstakes Winners.” Santa Maria Times, 25 July 1956, pg 1
[33] “Cook St. Residents Sweep All Sweepstakes in Fair Division.” Santa Maria Times, 29 July 1953, pg 9
[34] “County Fair Floral Specimen Winners.” Santa Maria Times, 5 August 1955, pg 7
[35] “Fair Awards of Yesterday.” Santa Maria Times, 25 July 1952, pg 5
[36] Stauffer, Stan. “Just Offhand..” Santa Maria Times, 19 February 1952, pg 6
[37] “CSF Students Are Minerva Club Guests.” Santa Maria Times, 6 May 1952, pg 4
[38] “Dance Hostesses Check List.” Santa Maria Times, 30 April 1955, pg 4
[39] “Manuel Brass Dumps Heald to Win Director’s Flight.” Santa Maria Times, 23 October 1951, pg 2
Notes
Illustrations on this site are not actual representations of the individuals written about, their homes, or anything else factual.
Exact addresses are not included for any place that appears to be, or could potentially be, in current use as a personal residence.
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