the suicides

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Usually, when one sees that a person died at a relatively young age (18-30), it is most often is explained as a result of disease or war.  But sometimes, the cause will be suicide.  In my own family tree, there are at least 20 confirmed suicides, usually by men, but occasionally by women.

 

One that stands out in my mind is the case of Cloyd Gray Hershey, 2nd cousin of my great grandfather.

 

Cloyd was born in 1883 Ohio, and moved with his family to Indiana shortly after his birth.  His father, Daniel, was a farmer, who died of illness when Cloyd was just barely a year old.  His mother, Charlotte, sold the family farm and became the proprietor of a boarding house in Logansport.

 

Cloyd was a bright young man and gifted musician, and after completing high school in three years' time, he decided to enter the ministry.  In 1904 he was ordained by the Methodist-Episcopal Church, and continued his pastorate duties along with his studies at DePauw University, again graduating in 3 years' time in 1906.  He decided to obtain his doctorate in theology, and entered Boston University's School of Theology in 1907, and set out to complete the three years' coursework in only two years.

 

The first year at Boston, Cloyd was also the pastor for the large Congregational Church at Hanover Center, MA, in addition to being given charge of the prestigious Theology Book Room at the University.

 

On November 7, 1908, his friends found his body in his dormitory room.  Cloyd had shot himself in the head.

 

Newspaper accounts state that he had suffered from insomnia and overwork.  But the account of his best friend is more revealing, stating that Cloyd had often visited with him to discuss theological matters, confiding that many of the teachings of the church did not make sense to him, and that he couldn't settle the issues in his mind.  

[Gail]

Pam have you ever investigated the tie between genius (creativity) and bipolar? Fascinating study

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Pam have you ever investigated the tie between genius (creativity) and bipolar? Fascinating study

 

yes!  It's very interesting!

[Kevin H]

Very sad indeed. He sounds like a fascinating person!

[lazarus]

Sad indeed.

Rudy, did you see any pattern in the suicides? Did they occur in particular branches or at particular ages etc.? I'm also thinking about the intergenrational "shockwaves" that were created by these suicides.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Sad indeed.

Rudy, did you see any pattern in the suicides? Did they occur in particular branches or at particular ages etc.? I'm also thinking about the intergenrational "shockwaves" that were created by these suicides.

 

You know, I've often thought it would be good to do a study on that very thing, and I *did*  do a brief analysis on the suicide rate in the US vs my family.  Just with what I've found so far, the equivalent rate for my extended family (blood relatives) is 12:25000 or 48 per 100,000, which is nearly 4x the national suicide rate.  

 

Most of have been on my father's side of the family, though Cloyd (the above story) was from my mother's side.  The latest incident was just two years ago, when my cousin's son shot and killed himself.  Nobody saw it coming... he had just been engaged and seemed like his life was on track.  Most of the deaths have been between ages 22 - 40.

 

I've also wondered about the possibilities that lead poisoning may have played a factor, since many of the cooking items were heavy in lead content.