Generations at the Table
Biographies:
Helen (Cavnah) Scott
Helen (Cavnah) Scott was born on May 6, 1900 in Canton, Ohio[1] to parents Henry Cavnah, a Civil War veteran[2], and Sallie (Van Horn) Cavnah[3]. She was the youngest of five children born to Sallie[2], and she also had two half-siblings from a previous marriage of her fathers. Helen was not quite four years old when her father died in January of 1904[4].
After Henry’s death, Helen relocated to California with her mother and older brother, Karl. In January of 1906 the family visited friends in Ventura before traveling north to San Francisco to visit one of Helen’s older brothers, Howard[5]. During their visit, the family experienced firsthand the Great Earthquake of 1906[6], one of the most severe earthquakes of record. Widespread destruction and fire greatly impacted the city of San Francisco and the surrounding area with at least 700 deaths as a result[7].
No doubt feeling lucky to have survived the earthquake, the family retreated back to Ventura where they settled into the community there[8]. Sallie began buying property and built a charming bungalow on Santa Clara St[9]. Now with a solid homebase, Helen fell into the routine of attending school[10] [11] while also building her circle of friends and becoming a part of local society[12] [13]. Sallie also made sure that Helen had plenty of exposure to education and the arts, frequently traveling out of town to view various performances or exhibits[14], including the 1915 world’s fair in San Francisco[15]. Helen graduated high school in June of 1919[16] and seemed to enjoy an active life in Ventura’s social scene following graduation[17] [18] [19].
By 1921, Helen was rumored to be engaged to Bob Robertson[20]. Bob had arrived in Ventura a few years earlier and had been leading an exciting life as the local Undersheriff[21] [22]. However, Bob brought scandal to town, and no doubt heartbreak as well, when he stole a sizable amount of money from the sheriff’s office and then skipped town in 1922[23]. He was quickly arrested in Chicago and eventually pled guilty before being sent to serve out a prison term in San Quentin State Prison later that year[24]. Helen’s name was dragged through much of Bob’s ordeal and subsequent trial, though he denied that they were ever engaged[25]. Helen and her mother left town on an extended trip to the east coast at the time of his arrest, returning to town several months later after much of the dust had settled[26].
That winter, Helen was back to Ventura society[27], and she and her mother traveled extensively together over the next several years. They became the first passengers on a new all first class train (the Golden State Limited) on its way to Chicago in 1924[28], traveled the world in 1925 on a cruise that took them to places like Egypt, India, and China[29], and then cruised again in 1930 through Central and South America, Cuba, and then on to Europe[30].
A few months after returning from their last cruise, Helen was married to Herschel Scott at a small, and seemingly sudden and unexpected, ceremony in Reno in May of 1931. After honeymooning in Chicago, they returned to California to make their home in Guadalupe[31]. Originally from Kentucky, Herschel had obtained a degree in agriculture[32] and served overseas in WWI before moving to California in the early 1920s. He put his agricultural degree to use by joining the Waller Franklin Seed Co., where he worked until his retirement in 1964[33].
After moving with her new husband to the Waller Franklin ranch in Guadalupe[34], Helen quickly engrained herself in local society by joining various fraternal organizations[35] [36] and attending social functions in her new circle[37] [38]. She and Herschel were also quick to start their family. A daughter, Sally Virginia, was born in July of 1932[39], and a few years later in 1934 a second daughter was born, Helen Roberta[40]. In June of 1938, the Scott family moved from the company ranch in Guadalupe to a larger, and more central, home on S McClelland St in Santa Maria[33].
Helen and Herschel were both active in the Santa Maria education system, with Herschel being appointed to the school board in 1943[41] and Helen taking a leadership role in the Mother’s Club at the children’s elementary school[42]. Helen made sure to pass along her own mother’s love of the arts to her children; the girls participated in dance[43], church choir[44], and piano[45] throughout their childhoods.
Helen died, seemingly unexpectedly, in 1957 after a brief illness[1]. After her passing, her daughters married and had children of their own. Herschel eventually remarried before passing away in 1971[32].
Then vs. Now
Ventura, California
Though Helen’s mother began buying property in Ventura as early as 1906[46], it appears as though she began building a bungalow that would become the family’s primary residence at 1612 Santa Clara St in 1909[47]. She continued to develop her property, renting out additional units[48] and even formally creating a new street, Cottage Ct, in the alleyway behind her home that connected Hemlock and Crimea Streets in 1911[49]. The house number of 1612 does not exist on Santa Clara St any longer; the house number and street name changed to 1232 E Santa Clara St in 1928[50]. Currently, it appears as though an apartment complex exists on the lots where the Cavnah bungalow would have been built. (Google Maps)
Guadalupe, California
After their marriage, Helen and Herschel moved to a company home on the Waller Franklin Ranch in Guadalupe where Herschel had established his career in agriculture. The family company was eventually sold in the 1980s and a branch of the Pan American Seed Company inhabits the 26 acre space today as a research facility.[51]
Santa Maria, California
In 1938, Helen and Herschel had moved to a home on S McClelland St in Santa Maria with their young daughters. Built in 1929, the home was only a few blocks away from the center of town. The house currently at this address is a four bedroom home on a sizable lot. (Realtor.com)
Citations
[1] Helen V. Scott Obituary. Ventura County Star, 17 December 1957, pg 2
[2] "United States Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890", Entry for Henry A Cavnah, 1890, FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org, accessed 10 October 2024
[3] 1900 U.S. Census, population schedule, Canton, Stark County, Ohio, Enumeration District [ED] 97, sheet 17, dwelling 339, family 357, Henry Cavnah household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T623, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 9 October 2024).
[4] "Ohio, County Death Records, 1840-2001", Entry for Henry A. Cavnah and Samuel Cavnah, 1904, FamilySearch, https://www.familysearch.org (accessed 10 October 2024)
[5] “Today’s News Today.” Morning Free Press, 2 January 1906, pg 3
[6] “Today’s News Today.” Morning Free Press, 30 April 1906, pg 3
[7] “The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake.” The U.S. Geological Survey, online, https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/events/1906calif/18april/, accessed 16 October 2024
[8]1910 U.S. Census, population schedule, Ventura Township, Ventura County, California, Enumeration District [ED] 220, sheet 8A, dwelling 248, family 2517, Sallie V.St. Cavnah household; National Archives & Records Administration publication T624, digital image, Ancestry.com, http://www.ancestry.com (accessed 16 October 2024).
[9] “New Homes in Ventura.” Ventura Free Press, 24 March 1911, pg 5
[10] “Promotions for Boys & Girls.” Ventura Free Press, 11 June 1909, pg 8
[11] “Ann Street School Will Hold Interesting Debates.” Morning Free Press, 25 March 1915, pg 1
[12] “Items of Interest to Women.” The Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat, 28 September 1917, pg 8
[13] “Items of Interest to Women.” The Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat, 14 December 1917, pg 8
[14] “Local News Notes.” Morning Free Press, 31 March 1919, pg 3
[15] “Local News.” Ventura Weekly Post, 28 May 1915, pg 5
[16] “Graduates for V.U.H.S. Are Now Listed.” The Ventura Weekly Post & Democrat, 27 June 1919, pg 5
[17] “Miss Cavnah Hostess at Dinner.” Morning Free Press, 10 January 1920, pg 4
[18] “Miss Helen Cavnah Entertains.” Morning Free Press, 28 June 1921, pg 4
[19] “Women’s Interests.” The Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat, 8 July 1921, pg 8
[20] “Rumor Makes a Benedict Out of ‘Bob’ Robertson.” Ventura Free Press, 23 December 1921, pg 1
[21] “Moorpark is Scene of Murder.” Morning Free Press, 15 September 1921, pg 1
[22] “County and City Raid Booze Joint.” Morning Free Press, 19 October 1921, pg 1
[23] “Robertson is Speeding to Chicago.” Morning Free Press, 16 June 1922, pg 5
[24] “Robertson, Former Under Sheriff, to be in Pen 5 Years.” The Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat, 12 October 1923, pg 1
[25] “Robertson Up Monday.” Morning Free Press, 1 July 1922, pg 1
[26] “City Briefs.” The Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat, 30 June 1922, pg 5
[27] “Women’s Interests.” The Ventura Weekly Post and Democrat, 24 November 1922, pg 5
[28] “Venturans Who Will be First to Take Trip East on New Beautiful Golden State Limited.” Morning Free Press, 27 December 1924, pg 1
[29] “Society.” Ventura Daily Post, 28 December 1924, pg 8
[30] “Cavnahs Start on Long Tour.” Ventura County Star, 20 May 1930, pg 4
[31] “Ventura Couple Married at Reno.” Morning Free Press, 6 May 1931, pg 2
[32] University of Kentucky, The Kentuckian, 1915, vol 3 (Lexington, Kentucky)
[33] Herschel Scott Obituary. Santa Maria Times, 16 June 1971, pg 2
[34] “Move to Santa Maria.” Santa Maria Times, 30 June 1938, pg 3
[35] “New Members of Eastern Star are Guests at Fine Meeting.” Santa Maria Times, 11 December 1931, pg 5
[36] “Charter Received by Legion Auxiliary at Guadalupe as 31 Candidates are Initiated.” Santa Maria Times, 19 February 1932, pg 3
[37] “Co-Hostesses Entertain.” Santa Maria Times, 25 April 1932, pg 3
[38] “Fiesta Theme is Used for Bridge Club.” Santa Maria Times, 23 August 1932, pg 3
[39] “New Births in Valley Listed.” Santa Maria Times, 15 July 1932, pg 5
[40] “Six Births Are Recorded.” Santa Maria Times, 9 October 1934
[41] “School Post to Herschel Scott.” Santa Maria Times, 19 July 1943, pg 1
[42] “First Session of Mother’s Club Held.” Santa Maria Times, 16 September 1943, pg 3
[43] “Dance Pupils to Entertain at Party.” Santa Maria Times, 23 December 1940, pg 3
[44] “Junior Choir Sings in St. Peter’s.” Santa Maria Times, 24 November 1941, pg 3
[45] “Mrs. Marshall to Present Annual Piano Recital.” Santa Maria Times, 25 May 1942, pg 3
[46] “Court House.” Ventura Free Press, 6 July 1906, pg 2
[47] “More New Houses Being Built.” Ventura Free Press, 13 August 1909, pg 1
[48] “Too Late to Classify.” Morning Free Press, 20 May 1915, pg 4
[49] “It’s ‘Cottage Court’ Now.” Ventura Free Press, 7 April 1911, pg 1
[50] “Change Street Names, House Numbers Here.” Morning Free Press, 17 April 1928, pg 1
[51] Ed Attanasio, "PanAmerican Seed Co." in AgraTech (Internet site), at http://agratech.com/blog-detail-commercial-greenhouse-manufacturer.html?pid=96 (accessed 13 January 2025).
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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