UTAH HISTORIC SITES INVENTORY 6. Name and Address of Site Owner Date Mr. & Mrs. V. Brent Merrill April, 1975 Address of Site Architect or Builder 2532 Eccles Avenue Eber Piers Ogden, Utah Original Use Original Owner Private Home Virginia Houtz Green Present Use Material Brick and Stucco Year Built 1914 1. Describe the historical significance of the site. Include a discussion of the original and subsequent owners, and dates and events associated with the building and the owners. The Kiesel-Shearman House was built in 1914 (Sewer Permit #1048) for Dr. and Mrs. G. W. Green. Mrs. Green was the daughter (Virginia Green) of Mr. and Mrs. Houtz who lived in the next house north on Eccles Avenue. Dr. and Mrs. Green were divorced very shortly after building this home; therefore, their occupancy of the house was for only one year. The residence was rented to the parents of Dr. Ralph Pugmire for two years (information from Mrs. Edna Wattis Dumke Fister). Mr. and Mrs. W. H. (Harry) Shearman were married in 1915 and lived in Salt Lake City until 1918. They then moved to Ogden and rented the home at 2532 Eccles from Mrs. Virginia Houtz Green. Mrs. Shearman lived in the house from 1918 until her death in 1955. Mr. Shearman died in 1942. Mrs. Shearman purchased the home from Mrs. Green in 1949 after living in the house for 30 years. On February 28, 1962 (House Index Card) the home was sold to Mr. and Mrs. Eldon S. McLatchie. On March 4, 1969, the house was then sold to Mr. and Mrs. V. Brent Merrill. Mrs. Wilhelmine Kiesel Shearman was born at Corinne, Utah in 1975. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred J. Kiesel, one of Ogden's early settlers and Mayor. Mrs. Shearman had one brother, Fred W. Kiesel, father of Robert Kiesel, source of much of the herein con­tained information. Mrs. Kiesel Shearman was in the first class to be confirmed in the Episcopal Church, now a state historical site. Min Shearman traveled extensively to many, many parts of the world. Her travel books show that she traveled to the Far East, to Mexico, and several times to Europe. Mrs. Edna Wattis Dumke Fister reports that she visited Mrs. Shearman in Europe. Mrs. Shearman collected and bought art items from all over the world. Mr. Bob Kiesel des­cribed her home as a "veritable museum". She had a particular love for Oriental snuff bottles and works of art. Mrs. Shearman continued her travels even after her marriage to William Henry (Harry) Shear­man. No history of Mr. and Mrs. Shearman could be complete without a history of Paradise (K.Kikuraku) , her personal chauffeur, housekeeper, and cook. Paradise jumped ship in Seattle during the Russian-Japanese War. He worked in Price, Utah in the coal mines. He then came to-2- Ogden and worked for Fred Kiesel, Sr. When Mr. Kiesel died, he worked for Mrs. Julia Kiesel and then for Mrs. Shearman. Paradise traveled with Mrs. Kiesel everywhere she went. Numerous pictures exist showing Paradise proudly posing in front of the Kiesel cars. When Mrs. Kiesel died, Paradise moved into a room in the Kiesel Bldg. and then to the Weber Memorial Hospital where he died. Mrs. Shearman in her will left a provision that Paradise should be cared for for life. Mrs. Shearman was a colorful and important personality in Ogden's history from 1900 until death. She traveled all over the world, she loved sports: skiing, camping, fishing, snowshoeing, golfing and horseback riding. She was an avid collector. She added a great deal to the cultural growth of Ogden. She was a member of numberous clubs, but in particular the French Club which met frequently to speak in French. This club had a French professor come to their meetings to read and discuss French literature and culture. Other members of the club were Mrs. DeVine, Mrs. Marriner Browning, Mrs. J. N. Eccles, Mrs. Enda Dumke, Mrs. Healy, and Mrs. Shearman. As Mrs. Shearman grew older, she was reluctant to leave the house she had enjoyed for so many years. She did not want to leave her many friends. So, Mr. Robert Kiesel installed an elevator in the house so Mrs. Shearman could remain in the house as long as she liked. To the knowledge of the committee, this is the only private residence in Ogden which has a private elevator. Mr. Stanley Robins was manager of the Kiesel Estate from 1938 until 1954. He supervised the installa­tion of the elevator. Mrs. Harry Randle was the Kiesel-Shearman secre­tary for a long, long time. Mr. Harry Shearman was a vice-president of the Pingree's Bank and later was the officer in charge of the Kiesel Building. He later became the manager of the Kiesel Estate. Mr. Shearman's greatest ac­tivity was the Boy Scouts of America. Mr. Shearman was fishing with Mr. Stanley Robins in the Tree Bears Park in Yellowstone on the Madi­son River when Mr. Shearman had a heart attack. Dr. Clark Rich and Dr. Dumke were his doctors. He died in October, 1941. Mrs. Shearman donated the Ogden Boy Scout Council site for Camp Kiesel on the headwaters of the Ogden River. Mr. and Mrs. Shearman supplemented the gift with continuous streams of improvements. On the 10th of September, 1944, Mrs. Shearman gave to the Boy Scouts of America the William H. Shearman Training Center for Scouters. The Shearman's gave other financial donations to help support the scout­ing program in the Ogden area. The house is significant because it is part of the development known as the Eccles Subdivision. The house shows the beginning stages of the work of Eber Piers. The family was socially, financially, civicly, and culturally involved in Ogden's growth. 2. Describe the building in terms of its architectural significance. In­clude a characterization of the style, a description of any unique features it might possess as well as the contribution it makes to the environment. This house, in a lighter form, is a manipulation of the Wrightian motif by use of the stucco for the gable and the frieze over the top -3- of the porch and dormer; although Wright would never have done it that way. But the use of the flat roof over the top of the dormer was a daring innovation and relief from previous gabled roofs Wright first used on the Unity Temple in 1906 and the Coonley House in 1912. This is over the dormer and the front porch. The porch columns have the decorative brick, two vertical with a cross piece and a small half brick below. Symmetrical in front elevation with large windows that may have replaced the original becuase they are all one piece without the typical side vented windows. By comparison with others on the street, a modest home. Ron Hales, Architect 3. Describe what alterations have been made to the original structure. For example, have there been any additions? Where? When? In what ways has use of the interior space been altered? Has the building been stuccoed or otherwise sheathed? The house has undergone no major structural changes. The elevator was installed in the early 1950's and a general refurbishing took place at that time. However, there have been no structural changes. The house is two floors. On the main floor is a dining room and a living room, kitchen, one bedroom and one bathroom. On the second floor are two bedrooms and one bathroom. The house on the exterior is exactly as it was built 61 years ago. The family reports that the house was designed by Eber F. Piers for the Green family. It is interesting to note on the supports of the front porch that Mr. Piers has clearly identified his work with the Wrightian symbol. It is also interesting to compare this very simple house with the more elaborate work of Mr. Piers as seen in the E. 0. Wattis, the very large house to the south. Yet, the Wrightian influences are clearly there. Photographs are attached of the house inside and outside taken during the occupancy of the Sherman family. 4. Describe the physical condition of the site at the present time. Good condition 5. What are the future plans for the site? Residence 6. Sources used in compiling the history. (Persons interviewed, books, diaries, family histories, newspapers, etc.) Obituaries Letters and biography from Robert Kiesel, nephew of Mrs. Shearman Letters from Mrs. Shearman's personal secretary Oral history from Mrs. Edna Wattis Dumke Fister Oral history from manager of the Kiesel Estate, Ogden, Utah Sewer Permits House Index Cards Abstract -4- 7. Person compiling form: Name: Thomas J. Moore Address: 2541 Van Buren Avenue, Ogden, Utah Telephone: 394-7604 Return to : Preservation Planning Office Utah Historical Society 603 E. South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84102 Notes from the secretary of the Kiesel estate Mrs. Fred J. Kiesel Sr. born in Germany Lived in Ogden since 1879 Moved to Ogden from Corinne Died May 20-1934 Two children Fred W. Kiesel, Sacramento, Calif Mrs. W.H. Shearman, 2532 Eccles Ave. Mrs. Shearman donated to Ogden Boy Scout council site for Camp Kiesel on the headwaters of Ogden River Mr. & Mrs Shearman supplemented the gift with a continuous stream of improvements. Mr. Shearman died October 1941 Mrs. Shearman “ about 1954 or 55 Shearman’s married 1915 Lived in Salt Lake until 1918 when they moved to Ogden and rented home on Eccles Ave later buying same, remodeled and added an elevator. WEBER COUNTY DEED INDEX OWNER ADDRESS DEED REFER. BOOK PAGE INSTRUMENT DEED DATE DATE RECORDED Wilhemine Kiesel Shearman 515 Kiesel Bldg., Eldon S. Mcatchie & wf. Carol W. McLatchie Vinton Brent Merrill & wf. Terry Lee Merrill DESCRIPTION COVERS REMAINING PARCEL Eccles Subdivision Part of Lot 25, in Block 2, of Eccles Subdivision of Block 26, Plat “C”, of Ogden City Survey: Beginning at the Southeast corner of said Lot 25, and running thence North 39 feet thence West 26.1 feet, thence North 1 foot, thence West to Eccles Avenue, thence South along Avenue to Southwest corner of said Lot, thence East along lot line 127.4 feet to beginning. Together with a Right of Way Book 911 page 442. WEBER COUNTY DEED INDEX OWNER ADDRESS DEED REFER. BOOK PAGE INSTRUMENT DEED DATE DATE RECORDED Wilhemine Kiesel Shearman 515 Kiesel Bldg., Eldon S. Mcatchie & wf. Carol W. McLatchie Vinton Brent Merrill & wf. Terry Lee Merrill DESCRIPTION COVERS REMAINING PARCEL Eccles Subdivision Part of Lot 25, in Block 2, of Eccles Subdivision of Block 26, Plat “C”, of Ogden City Survey: Beginning at the Southeast corner of said Lot 25, and running thence North 39 feet thence West 26.1 feet, thence North 1 foot, thence West to Eccles Avenue, thence South along Avenue to Southwest corner of said Lot, thence East along lot line 127.4 feet to beginning. Together with a Right of Way Book 911 page 442. OGDEN CITY CORPORATION. ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. DIVISION OF SEWERS. For Application see Daily Entry Book, Number 1 Page 112 Ogden, City, Utah, May 11th 1914 Permission is hereby given to Ogden Plumbing Co a licensed Plumber to excavate a trench in Eccles Street or Avenue, between 25th and 26th Street or Avenue, being No of said Street of Avenue, and lay therein a private connection with the public sewer on Eccles Street or Avenue, for Dr G. W. Green, owner of Agent. Said property being on East side of street. Connection to be 6 inches in diameter. This permit was issued subject to the requirements printed on the copy given the plumber or drain layer, and which must be shown when required. Depth at curb 6’ Depth at property line Distance from North side of house 2.5’ Crosses curb line at Wye Sta. used JUL 3 1914 B. A. Bowman Location Slip No 990 Wye Sta. given 105 + 12 2 Fees paid $100 Permit issued by B. A. Bowman Sewer Inspector. Per Clerk. Void without Seal of Engineering Department.