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Acorne family letters, 1915-1973
(bulk, 1915-1919 and 1942-1945)
SPC.00041
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Description
This collection contains letters from Melville G. "Curley" Acorne to his wife Beatrice Marian (Bomani) Acorne, 1915-1919;
and letters from John B. "Jack" Acorne to his parents Melville G. and Beatrice M. Acorne, 1942-1945. Collection also includes
undated letters, postcards, newspaper clippings, funeral notice for Curley Acorne.
Background
Melville G. (Curley) Acorne (Apr. 4, 1898-July 13, 1973) came to Petaluma, California in 1908 from Humboldt County, California.
A man of many talents, he worked as a driver for a bakery, was employed by the Petaluma SIlk Mill, the Corlis Engine Works,
and the Pioneer Hatchery--all before entering World War I. Upon his return, Acorne managed the Merritt Ranch and then went
to work for the Poehlmann Hatchery. In 1925, he became owner of AA Electric Hatchery, located at 1106 Petaluma Boulevard North,
near Shasta Avenue. (Source:
Rinehart, Katherine J.
Petaluma : a history in architecture. Charleston, SC : Arcadia Publishing, 2005, page 51). Curley Acorn was married to Beatrice Marian (Boman) Acorne (June 12, 1898-Jan. 26, 1973) and had two sons, John B. Acorne
and Robert Edwin Acorne (July 5, 1920-Aug. 7, 2009).Jack Acorne (July 17, 1922-Jan. 30, 1952) was the son of Melville G. "Curley" Acorne and Beatrice Marian Acorne. He served
in the Marine Air Corps during World War II and remained in the Reserves following his discharge after the war. He worked
as a salesman with the Gene Paige Motor Company in Petaluma and was married to Helen Acorne. They had a son shortly after
the end of the war, Michael J. Acorne. Acorne died at age 29 of stomach wounds incurred in a suicide attempt in Cypress Hill
Cemetery on January 24, 1952 after he cashed $1,000 in bad checks, including one to his employer. Acorne was never charged
prior to his death.
Extent
0.5 linear foot
1 archival postcard box
Restrictions
Collection does not circulate and may be photocopied or photographed by arrangement only.
Availability
Conditions Governing Access:
This collection is partially processed. Please contact the Sonoma County History and Genealogy Library for access; for
contact info and current hours, see