Orville Sigvor Gravley (1904 - 1927)

Orville Sigvor Gravley’s biography is built and maintained by people like you. Create an online profile of Orville so that his life is remembered forever. If any factual information is incorrect, please edit Orville’s biography.

Historically notable or family photographs that show the life of Orville Sigvor Gravley and his immediate Gravley family.

Orville Sigvor Gravley

Add a photo

1904 - In the year that Orville Sigvor Gravley was born, the United States acquired the Panama Canal Zone. Now an unincorporated territory of the U.S., the Canal Zone had been previously held by the French, who were constructing a canal. The U.S. took over the construction of the Panama Canal and it was finally finished in 1914, when it was opened to commercial shipping. The United States held the Canal Zone until 1979.

1906 - At the age of just 2 years old, Orville was alive when author Upton Sinclair exposed the public-health threat of the meat-packing industry in his book The Jungle. While his intent was to show the lives of exploited lives of immigrants in Chicago and other industrialized cities, most people were horrified by how the meat that ended up on their tables was handled. There was such an outcry that legislation was passed to regulate meat packing. Sinclair said " "I aimed at the public's heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach."

1914 - By the time he was only 10 years old, President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating Mother's Day, the second Sunday in May, as a national holiday to honor mothers. Anna Jarvis had championed a Mother's Day for years but Congress had joked a few years earlier that then they would have to proclaim a "Mother-in-law's Day" as well. The President who championed a woman's right to vote also created a day in their honor.

1919 - When he was just 15 years old, in June, the Treaty of Versailles - officially ending World War I - was signed. The European Allies demanded "compensation by Germany for all damage done to the civilian population of the Allies and their property by the aggression of Germany by land, by sea and from the air.” The requirement of compensation is seen by most as the reason for the collapse of the German economy and gave rise to the rule of Hitler.

1927 - In the year of Orville Sigvor Gravley's passing, the first "talkie" (a movie with music, songs, and talking), The Jazz Singer, was released. Al Jolson starred as a cantor's son who instead of following in his father's footsteps as expected, becomes a singer of popular songs. Banished by his father, they reconcile on his father's deathbed. It was a tear-jerker and audiences went wild - especially when they heard the songs. Thus begun the demise of silent films and the rise of "talkies".

Who was Orville’s parents? Did he get married and did they have children? Share Orville’s family tree to share his legacy and genealogy pedigree.

edit Orville's Family

Aslag Oscar Gravley

Ella "Ellen" Matilda (Pierson) Gravley

Pearl Myrtle Gravley Esther Adeline (Gravley) Larson Kenneth Gordon Gravley Orville Sigvor Gravley

Ruth Ardella (Gravley) Morgan Elmer Carlton Gravley Lenore Berdella Gravley

Parents:

Aslag Oscar Gravley Ella "Ellen" Matilda (Pierson) Gravley

Siblings:

Ruth Ardella (Gravley) Morgan Pearl Myrtle Gravley Elmer Carlton Gravley Esther Adeline (Gravley) Larson Lenore Berdella Gravley Kenneth Gordon Gravley

You can add or remove people from Orville's family tree by clicking here.

What do you remember about Orville Sigvor Gravley? Share your memories of special moments and stories you have heard about him. Or just leave a comment to show the world that Orville is remembered.