Liam Wellington
(1910-1956)
Liam
Wellington from the upper balcony of Wellington Estate in 1938
Liam Wellington was visioned as the prodigy child that would take over his
fathers great timber empire and while that vision never came true, Liam would change
the fate and future of the Wellington estate forever.
Liam was the apple of his
mothers eye, and a good thing too since his father wasnt around very much. Liam was
raised large in part by his mother with alot of influence also from Norrines friend
Clara, as a youngster Liam was a fairly good student, a pretty bright kid in fact,
yet there was something about Liam noticeable as a youngster, he simply wasnt very
driven or motivated.
Liam was nothing like his father, he wasnt motivated or driven
to do much of anything other than occasional brushes of inspiration that hit him
from time to time. Liam didnt have a hateful relationship with his father, Liam accepted
that his dad simply had other things to do, its the way things were and Liam adapted
to this relatively well. Liam was a very personable person, much like his mother
he had a warm endearing type of personality and everyone liked him, he tended to
be very warm, sincere and downright charming from a very young age; and though he
wasnt very driven, he did enjoy competition such as basketball, baseball and he excelled
in track.
Liam didnt care much for the timber business, his father made him work
around the mill in the summer time and Liam found it rather boring, not so much any
particular rebellion toward his father, he simply wasnt fond of the timber business.
This all came to a head when Liams father expected him to attend business college
to prepare for the timber world, Liam was to have no part of it and soon thereafter
in 1928 Liam announced he was joining the military...more specifically it was found
out Liam was joining the coast guard. The west coast regiment of the coast guard
was not a very active unit at this time which turned out to be ideal for Liam as
he learned new joys in life such as surfing, staying out all night, and meeting lots
of girls.
**
No one is entirely certain when Liam left the coast guard
though he was honorably discharged likely sometime in 1930. Liam hadnt gained any
real ranking and when the depression hit there wasnt much in terms of money or tasks
at the time, also left uncertain is Liams whereabouts for the next year as he literally
wandered back home just before Christmas of 1931 though best guess is that he spend
some time living off the land enjoying the wildlife of his youth.
Liam returned
in 1931 with no money, no job, and in need of a shave and a haircut, clearly life
on the road wasnt going well, and one might think he would now embrace the opportunities
of the timber business; this was not the case, however Liam did agree to enroll in
college at Washington State and studied "land resources." Its pretty common
knowledge that this was a new social event for Liam, more parties, more fun, but
to his credit he did his schoolwork and for the most part was able to pass his classes
without much trouble and by the time he was well into his sophomore year Liam started
to be come more conscious of the world around him. By late 1934 and into 1935 Liam
now in his junior year at the college was coming home voluntarily on the weekends
to assist with his parents at the church and shelter handing out food and helping
those suffering through the depression era. Liam had also developed a knack for building
things, he gained some good experience at it while in the coast guard building shelter
units on their training sites, as Liam and his father began to communicate better
with each other they talked about these things, when Liam found out his father was
sponsoring the construction of a shelter for the poor, Liam jumped at the opportunity
not only to help build it, but lead the way in all the construction aspects.
Finally
Liam had shown some interest and drive toward doing something in the world, this
thrilled Garren beyond belief and Liam was told that if he finished college and did
well, there could be opportunities in construction for him. Liam graduated at years
end in 1936 but again frustrated his parents when after the holidays he, along with
friends Donnie Abner and Jim Corey left for the big city to find construction work;
this dream was short lived and the boys were back home in time for thanksgiving in
November of 1937.
It was during the second half of 37' that Garren suggested
a Wellington Construction company to Liam, Garren would front the operation and Liam
would gather the business and do the work, Liam was ecstatic about the idea and jumped
right in. Liam would hire Donnie Abner and Jim Corey as his building team, Corey
had worked part time in the timber mill and had built homes with his grandfather
since he was 13 years old thus brought alot of experience to the table.
**
It
was the new years eve party 1937 at Katzbars tavern with Liam and his friends celebrating
their new business enterprise where Liam came across what he thought was the most
beautiful young woman he ever laid eyes on. Liam, being the charming type he was,
decided he must introduce himself and was then shocked and slightly embarassed when
he met the young woman close up to discover her to be Anna Reisa Murray.
Liam
hadnt noticed who Anna was, but Anna knew exactly who Liam was, and she clearly noticed
his attention toward her. Liam had not seen Anna since she was a kid, nearly 5 years
ago and he was shocked to see that she wasnt such a kid anymore, in fact she appeared
quite mature for her age, perhaps too mature and to make matters worse she was the
daughter of Larry and Rachel Murray who were friends of Liams parents and at 17 she
didnt have much business being in a tavern. Legend has it that Liam threatened to
"tattle" on Anna, but Anna wasnt worried about it and Liam ended up staying
near her as a "protector" of sorts. No one is sure what happened that night,
but from that point forward, Liam and Anna would continue to become more of an item,
she was a strikingly pretty woman, the blondest of blonde hair and she stood out
distinctively from other women around town.
Liam and Anna continued to be more
of a couple and announced their plans to marry in 1938 and by the f all of 1939 Liam
and Anna were married. The marriage seemed a bit awkward at first with the difference
in their ages, but you'd have to know Anna Reisa, she had quite a mouth on her, she
was witty and had a sense of street smarts to her, she was very capable even at age
19 of handling herself.
Liam and
Annas wedding 1939
Anna Reisa
Wellington on the porch of Wellington Estate 1942
The devonairre
Liam Wellington 1942
Liam and Anna embarked on a story book marriage, they made a great couple,they
were charming attractive people and the Wellington name was well respected in the
community.They now lived in a home of their own built by Liam called Trestian Manor.
Liam
and Anna would have their first child in 1942, a baby boy they named Micheal Vincent
Wellington and in 1945 a baby girl named Alexa Renee became the second child born
to the couple.
Liam and Anna were now the storybook family. Liams construction
business really started to take off as the war came to an end. Liam and his good
friend Jim Corey now partnered the business together and were turning some pretty
good profits, Anna was involved in PTA and school functions with the kids. Liam and
Anna were both involved in community business and civic activities; they had taken
a particular interest in a local theater group.
Liam and Anna did have some troubling
times as the years went on. Garren Wellington passed away in 1951, he had been the
icon, the staple of the entire Wellington Estate.
Liam was a bit surprised to
learn after his fathers death as to how the estate was to be set up. Garren had established
his young prodigy, Richard Cottington to carry out specific functions as to how the
estate was to be run. Liam wasnt angered or bitter about this, but perhaps abit uneasy
with it, he and Cottington were not close, didnt speak often, and didnt have much
in common.
Liam, and his mother Norrine, did not share Garrens confidence in
the young Cottington and gave him much scrutiny as a result. Liam was atomant about
having sole control over the construction company, which was not the wishes of Garren,
however Cottington didnt feel right making issue of it and released the construction
company to Liam who in turn along with Jim Corey named it WellingtonCorey Construction
Co.
*
After Garrens passing away, Liam didnt associate much with the Timber
business or anything too connected to it, he stuck with the construction company,
paid dear and close attention to his family,and his friends, they were all a close
and tight knit group.
Life seemed to be strolling along for Liam as well as one
could possibly imagine.
In 1955 Liam spoke of what he considered was a life endearing
event when he learned he would be giving a commencement for his son's 8th grade graduation;
although he didnt know it, soon thereafter Liam would change the lives of everyone
in his family, and Wellington Estate forever.