THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL NOT BE OF INTEREST TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THE INFORMATION IS INCLUDED HERE ONLY FOR SKIP'S FRIENDS AND/OR FORMER STUDENTS.

Throughout the years, Skip has had many thousands of students. At this time, he has often taught four generations of the same family -- grandfather, father, son, and grandson.

His former students often call to say hello -- to inquire as to what he is currently doing -- to ask about his family -- to ask about his kids -- etc.

THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS ARE A STATUS REPORT REGARDING SKIP’S FAMILY.

THIS STUFF IS INCLUDED BY DEMAND OF HIS FRIENDS AND FORMER STUDENTS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

In the trade, it is common knowledge that Skip is a fifth generation log house builder. His great-great-grandfather on his FATHER’S side of the family was Ruben Jones Ellsworth -- who built the first log house in Nashua Iowa in 1853, as documented in The History of Butler and Bremmer Counties, 1853. Ruben passed this craft on to his sons -- and his sons passed it on to their sons -- etc., etc. Consequently, five generations of "log house" knowledge was passed on to Skip.

Fewer people are aware that Skip’s great-great grandfather on his MOTHER’S side of the family was also a log house builder who passed the craft on to his family. His name was Ole Halvorson (Halvor, son of Rognstad) – from the Gubrenstallen area of Norway. His name was shortened to Halvorson upon arrival in Wisconsin from Norway circa 1850. As Skip recalls, the Halvorson farm was located approximately eight miles east of EauClaire, in the Running Valley, near Running Creek. Skip's mother seems to recall that the house was located on Rognstad Road, and that there were two large Lutheran Churches just north of the farm. The log house that Ole built is no longer standing, but the stone foundation is still relatively intact.

<picture> The above photograph is of Skip’s great-great-grandfather, Ole Halvorson – a log house builder who was born in Norway and moved to America circa 1850. It looks like  beards run in the family, Skip.

<picture> The above photograph is of the log house that Ole hastily built for his family prior to the onset of winter in Wisconsin. This is a traditional settler’s cabin. A larger and nicer log home was built a couple of years later. Several photos of the nicer home will be added as soon as they can be located.

This is Skip’s mother, Inez Elizabeth Ellsworth. This photograph was taken on "gram's" 94th birthday.

TO ME, THIS IS AWESOME: 

Gram was born on March 1, 1904. This was less than a year after the Wright brothers flew at Kitty Hawk. The first Model T had not yet been built by Henry Ford. Electricity did not arrive at her town until she was 15 or 16 years old. Indoor plumbing was unheard of.

In those days, a hand-shake was as good (if not better) than a legal contract. People didn't accept welfare. People actually WORKED for a living. No one was paid NOT to work. In other words, Socialism/Communism (e.g. "Roosevelt's NEW DEAL) did not yet exist in America. America was still considered to be a "Republic" instead of a "Democracy."  The rights of American Citizens were still protected by the Constitution.  Social Security had a different meaning -- a meaning that was associated with strong community ties, strong ties of friendship, and strong family ties. 

Believe it or not, in 1904 the American Government still operated within the law (as defined by the American Constitution).

Gram remembers when the first automobile came to Buxton, North Dakota – AND when the first telephone was hooked up in the town – AND when electricity was first installed in one of the houses – AND when the first radio (a crystal set) was working in the town – AND when the first airplane landed in a nearby corn field, etc. Most of these events were considered "monumental" at the time, and the entire population of the town turned out to witness them.

[We regret to say that Skip's mother passed away on August 1, 2002 -- at the age of 98.]

This is gram's 94th birthday cake. All of Skip's kids were there, and it was quite a party. We decided to only use one candle on the cake -- instead of 94.

Many birthday cards... many presents.

A picture of Skip's first four kids -- when they were young.

This is gram with Skip's youngest son, Chip -- who was born on May 4, 1995. This is the SECOND birthday cake (later on the same day). Eventually, we had to get three cakes -- because people kept coming over to pay their respects to Gram. We used seven candles this time, and Chip helped blow them out.

Gram, Chip, and Chip's cousin Corbett -- on the front porch of Skip's log home.

Gram is still exceptionally strong. She could probably walk from here to Tacoma without stopping.

This photo of Gram, Skip and his son DeWelle was taken when gram was just a "kid" of 93.

In the living room of Skip's house -- with Gram, Elvie Chiong (Skip's wife), Chip, Skip, and Skip's son, DeWelle.

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Gram and Skip's "formerly-youngest" (but obviously "no longer the youngest") son named "Ellsworth" are two of Chip's major heroes. 

See more about "Ellsworth's" name below...

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Gram made the "German-Chocolate-Cake" (a birthday tradition) for her namesake -- and her only grand-daughter.

This is Skip’s daughter, Elizabeth Inez Ellsworth (the same name as gram).

Liz was a National Merit Scholar. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Puget Sound. She was accepted into the Phi Beta Kappa Scholastics Honorary Society, and she was also accepted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society.

Liz is involved in "CRISIS HOT-LINES" that often involve life-or-death situations. Also, she is involved in dog training -- and she has effectively trained her own guard-dog.

Skip says that his daughter Liz is the most intelligent woman he has ever known – as well as the strongest, the most honest, and the most ethical. He said, "I am really proud of that girl. She has it all…"

This photo was taken on Liz's birthday -- and all of the kids got together for this delightful occasion.

Twelve candles.

Liz with her brother, Chip.  Let's have a birthday party EVERY day !!!

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This is Skip's oldest son, DeWelle.

DeWelle graduated Cum Laude from the University of Washington, and was accepted into the Phi Beta Kappa Scholastics Honorary Society. He recently graduated from the University of Washington Law School, and is now an attorney. 

DeWelle’s great-great-etc. grandfather on his mother’s side of the family was John Jay – the first Chief Justice of the United States of America.

Also, his great-great-etc. grandfather on his father’s side of the family was Supreme Court Justice Oliver Ellsworth.

[This means we have great hopes for you in the legal profession, DeWelle. On the other hand, we are hoping that you will someday "go straight" and become a log home builder.]

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The suspenders say, "PAUL BUNYAN." Hopefully, these two kids (together with their brother, Ellsworth, who only has one name) will someday be partners in a Law office.

I guess the firm would have to be called Ellsworth, Ellsworth, and Ellsworth.

This is Skip’s second son, DeWelle Frederick Osborn Ellsworth.

Fred graduated from Brandeis University in Boston, Massachusetts. When this photo was taken, he was working as a FINANCIAL PLANNER for Lockheed-Martin in the Boston area.

Skip writes, "Fred is amazingly capable, and he has an entrepreneurial spirit. He has been involved in some very interesting business endeavors. No one would be surprised if Fred became a multi-millionaire overnight."

Fred has been living in Boston for several years. He only returns to the northwest three or four times a year to visit friends and family. However, it appears that he will move back to the Seattle area next year -- on a permanent basis.  We hope so, Fred.

Fred almost always has a smile on his face. Perhaps that smile is there because he received an MBA and is now a ‘mover and shaker’ in the world of ‘big business’ (Fred loves the venture capital field).

Fred -- heading back to Boston.

This is Skip’s third son, Ellsworth.

Ellsworth was raised as a log home builder, and he began working on log homes with his father when he was only six years old. He completed the Log home Builder’s Apprenticeship Program at a very young age (becoming a Journeyman log home builder) and he is currently a Master Builder.

Ellsworth has helped his father teach seminars and Apprenticeship programs for many years.  When Skip retires, we are hoping that Ellsworth will continue the family tradition of teaching people how to build log homes the right way :-)

At this time, the three oldest boys have beards -- and Chip (at the age of seven) is working on it.

Skip says that he stopped playing chess with Ellsworth when Ellsworth was 11 years old, because it was demoralizing.

This is Ellsworth's birthday -- and the family got together as always.

Believe it or not, Ellsworth only has one name -- and the name is Ellsworth. 

In other words, it only says "Ellsworth" on his Birth Certificate, AND his driver’s license, AND his Social Security Card -- etc, etc., etc.

QUESTION:  When a guy only has one name, is it his "first" name -- or his "last" name ???

Yes… this does confuse the bureaucrats.

This situation came about when Ellsworth was born -- was being taken from the hospital afterwards --  and the bureaucrats told Skip that the baby could not leave the hospital until he was "named."  That was where the bureaucrats made their mistake -- and they have been paying for it ever since.

Ellsworth just took his final exams for this term at college -- and he is getting all "A"s.

Ellsworth went on to graduate Cum Laude from Seattle University (a Jesuit college) where he majored in Philosophy.  He focused primarily upon the traditional curriculum (Socrates, Plato, Aristotle) as well as ‘classical liberalism’ i.e. John Lock, Robert Nozick, et cetera.

<picture> This is Skip’s fourth son, DeWelle Ferguson (Chip) Ellsworth IV.

Chip was born on May 4, 1995. He was born in the Southeast Asia, but he is an American Citizen.

Skip's four "older" kids -- in the living room of Skip's home.

[One of the scenes from the third episode of Northern Exposure was filmed using this couch. The scene involved Maurice trying to be "romantic" with Shelly, and being rejected.]

DeWelle, Skip, Gram, Liz, and Ellsworth.  This was taken at gram's 94th birthday party.

This was also taken at grams 94th birthday party.

From left to right; Ellsworth, Fred, Skip, Chip, Liz, Gram, DeWelle.

Elvie took the picture.

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