Sealtest Ice Cream and Twisted Tales from Pocahontas' Kin

Last week, I found two vintage Sealtest Ice Cream items: a scoop/spade and a yellow wooden box.

Have you ever heard of Sealtest? I think it was only in the northeastern part of the United States. My brother-in-law, Doug Hovey, has always talked about the fact that his family used to own Sealtest. Or they had a dairy farm that they sold to Sealtest. Or they liked to eat ice cream. Or something like that.

I have mentioned Doug in the past (he is Erin's husband). You would never know that he is a pharmaceutical scientist. Especially when he comes to our annual St. Patty's Day party dressed like a pimp who just won the Masters.

I decided to email Doug to find out the skinny on his family's connection to Sealtest. Doug's whole family is like one big Forrest Gump. They just show up in weird places with famous people and you don't know how they hell they got there.  So I knew that this conversation might take some strange turns.

Here is our actual email exchange:

ME:
I was researching the Sealtest ice cream scoop I just bought, and I looked up Sealtest on wiki. Who is Vernon Hovey (mentioned in that link)? Is that your grandfather? I want to get the facts straight before I write about it. And can you give me the family tree of where the vice-president is involved?  Did he love ice cream, too?

 

DOUG:
Vernon is my dad's great uncle, my dad's grandfather's brother, my great grandfather's brother, erin's great grandfather's brother-in-law.  He founded the General Ice Cream Corp that became Sealtest. My dad worked for him growing up (dairies were in the family.) Uncle Vernon is where I get my love of ice cream.

So, that is my grandfather's side.... my grandfather married my grandmother (OBVIOUSLY), Henrietta "Hank" Sherman, who was the granddaughter of the Vice-President... so the dairy conglomerate was in bed with the politicians, and that is how ice ceam became so popular. Prior to that, sherbet was America's favorite dessert.

 

ME:
Thanks, Doug. Can you tell me a little about your Grandmom? I'd like to write about her. Do you have any pictures of the White House china? Aren't you related to Pocahontas or some bullshit like that?

DOUG:
Henrietta, or “Hank”, was a vibrant, energetic woman. Her love of life and athletic build made women want to be her and men of all ages want to be with her (more on that later).

Hank was rich.  Not rich like the gynecologist who lives next door rich, but more like Kardashian rich.  (Just trying to relate to your typical readers, Colleen).   Actually, you could say she was the Kim Kardashian of her time.  During the depression when other 20 somethings were selling their first borns on the streets, she lived in upstate NY, summered in the Hamptons, excelled at golf, tennis and, most notably, curling. Truth be told, she actually coined the phrase "Winning" back in 1932. 

She competed on America's Women's Curling team and traveled extensively. She is a direct descendant of America's favorite Indian, Pocahontas, and the South's greatest nemesis - Tecumseh Sherman. If you watched the Disney version of Pocahontas, my grandmother was the inspiration for the raccoon.  Her beloved grandfather, Vice-President James Schoolcraft Sherman, was going to be the next President, following Taft, and he received the most votes posthumously for the presidency of the United States.  His early death in 1912 killed the Hoveys' chances of being the next Kennedys.  Thanks Jimmy, it should have been me dating Daryl Hannah and crashing my airplane off the coast of Martha’s Vineyard.  Sorry, too soon….  (Quick side note: my dad and JFK Sr. attended the same high school together.)

Back to Hank.  Her husband (my poppy) died suddenly at age 48. A few years later, the 52-year-old grieving widow left with 3 kids, seduced and married the 18-year-old boy next door  ... enter "Grandpi". That is the grandfather I knew and loved my whole life. They were married for 40 years before her untimely death at 92.

Unfortunately, the white house china has been seeing the inside of my parents' dishwasher for years, so although it is ours for the taking eventually, it should be interesting to see its condition. 

I attached a photo of Hank curling and a photo of me, Hank and Grandpi.

ME:
How old was your dad when his 52-year-old mom remarried their 18-year-old neighbor?

DOUG:
30 years old.

 

ME:
Yikes.

By the way, I found your grandmom's obituary online (scroll down to Henrietta). According to that, you are also related to Princess Diana?! My next question is obvious: will you be invited to Willie & Kate's wedding?  If so, can you bring me home a piece of cake?

 

DOUG:
I know in my grandmother’s obituary it mentions she is related to Princess Di, but I've got to be honest  - I don’t know where that came from.  I think Grandpi is confused or is remembering wrong about that one.  Hank and Grandpi had a store called “Bit of Britain” for a few years in South Carolina, maybe Princess Di came in one day for a oven mitten shaped as Big Ben or a Margret Thatcher key chain.  Really, it was probably the life-size cutout of Princess Di in the window that made him feel like she was really there.     

Had I known we were related I would have offered to drive her home that night in Paris.  Sorry, too soon again…. 

That’s a good point about Willie and Kate’s wedding, maybe I should do some digging and get an invite.  (although the joke about his mom might get me moved to the B list).  Maybe I should call Bravo to film it, or go with Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn and tell everyone we’re Uncle Ned’s kids.

All this stuff is interesting about my relatives but tell me when you want some good stories.  All this talking about dead celebrities and politics is probably boring to your audience.  And enough about your yard sale finds, already. I think they would much rather hear about my life.  I can talk about my summers working as a valet, explain the difference between a scientist and "fake" scientist, discuss my struggles living with the gout, or style tips - like how I tuck in my undershirt into my underwear to make me look thinner.  Great stuff like that. Let me know when the next blog paper goes out.  Thanks.

 ~~~~~~~~~~

I think Doug needs to start his own blog paper.

Comments

[rose]

that is a fascinating story! i want to hear more!

[Sue Pagels]

Very interesting and funny! We do/did have Sealtest here in NW Indiana. Don't buy much ice cream anymore, so I'm not sure if they still sell it here.

[Anabelle O'Malley]

This is great!! He has some awesome stories. I grew up eating Sealtest ice cream!

[laurie magpie ethel]

You always, always make me laugh. Great communication between you and Doug..I like his tip on tucking his undershirt into his underwear to make him look thinner....he should have a blog PAPER.

p.s. I am a west coast gal and have never heard of Sealtest ice cream, but I do like ice cream...especially caramel swirl!

[B Smhelding]

I know Doug, the guy is a douche bag,

[Lorrie]

This has got to be your best post yet! I laughed so hard!
I grew up in SC and we had Sealtest Ice Cream here, too.

[LoriO]

That is fascinating! Dear Doug, please write a book about Hank. What does a Pharmaceutical Scientist do?

Also, I just have to know, why doesn't the obituary mention Grandpi?

[Maria (Magia Mia)]

Oh my God, Colleen......Is there anyone in your family, in-laws or otherwise, that DOESN'T have searing wit? Honestly, I think you guys own the monopoly on that one........Hilarious. And yes, he does need his own blog paper....:)

[Into Vintage]

Doug, I almost dozed off until you mentioned Kim Kardashian. :-) And sherbet? Really? In my opinion, it would have been just a matter of time before ice cream crushed sherbet and become #1.

[Michele O'Connor Dunn]

I want to be invited to your next family get together! I'm serious! If the emails are this fun ...what would it be like to be there in real time...with some wine...

[kris]

Dear Doug,
Please start a blog as you are hilarious!
Sincerely,
Kris (from Yakima, 'cause you know where that is...) ;)

[Charlene Austin]

I am sorry but holy eff is this funny!!! I always crack up when I visit here. How much fun must you all have when you get together!

[bogglemama.com]

I'm uber proud to say ----- He's my son-in-law !!! To know him, is to love him.

[pam]

I live on the Illinois side near St Louis.
We had Sealtest when I was growing up.
I just found your blog last week. I am slowly making my way thru. You give me a laugh every day! pam

[Brynne]

This made my day! Your brother in law is hilarious! Funniest thing ever!

[freshvintage]

@LoriO: Pharmaceutical Scientist was code for "he runs a meth lab". Actually, he works for a company that makes regular drugs for regular people.
And Grandpi is mentioned in the obit - he is her second husband, Alexander Shaw Mitchell Jr.

[tara]

Doug does have struggles living with "the gout"

[lori (aka: marzi)]

i have a "sealtest" sign that hung on my grandpa's farm for many years. (he was a dairy producer) it's huge, maybe 4' x 3' and hangs in our family room now. here's a picture (you need to scroll down to the fourth image). it's one of my most favorite pieces i own. http://paisleywallpaper.blogspot.com/2009/09/wood-type-vintage-dairy-sign-bookshelf.html

[freshvintage]

@Lori (Marzi)  Thank you for sharing the photo of your sign. I love that! Dont let Doug know where you live - he might try to steal it.

[Wanda @ Just Vintage]

We had Sealtest in Alabama, too. And yes. Doug really, really needs his own blog paper! I'd be his first follower! He kinda sounds like the Most Interesting Man In the World.

[Leah - MoxieThrift on Etsy]

That's some funny shit.

[Louise]

:) I love it! Don't know if your realize the power of knowing your history, great stories to share. My mum had a stoke last year and can't speak anymore....just wish I had asked more questions...been reading your page for a while now, THANK YOU :)

[Heather]

This had me laughing out loud, thanks for a great post! Your blog is excellent. And I agree with you, he does need to start a blog :)

[Grumpy]

Ha! He still can't top the "Peter Heater"!!!

[Junker Newbie Stephanie]

Ok, I'm a new follower and you made me laugh so hard it almost made my drink come out my nose!

Found you via Vintage Junk in my Trunk.

[shabby*vintage*junk]

Oh Colleen....I laughed so HARD just now I peed my pants....Just a BIT....SERIOUSLY....Ooh....PLEASE don't tell Doug though....!

When you see him next will you give him a hug....A LINGERING hug is required with a SQUEEZE at the end in order to convey the true depth of my gratitude for the humour & wit which has tickled my 'fancy'....hahahahaha....!

Where can I sign the 'Doug MUST start a blog' petition....??

LOVE visiting with you as ALWAYS....!!!!!

Cheers from Oz,
Tamarah :o)

[shabby*vintage*junk]

PS: LOVE your Sealtest finds....!!

[Rebecca]

I would read Doug's blog paper!

[Jennifer]

no need to abreviate...laughing out loud! that is hilarious. thanks for starting my day off like that!

[emily ruth]

love it...

[Kate (Hovey) Witherspoon]

Hi there...was doing some research on company to show to my husband on the company. Vernon F Hovey Jr was my grandpa, and Vernon F. Hovey III was my uncle. Anyway can you see if Doug would be willing to email me? I would like to know who his dad is and if he was at Mary McNab's service in August? Would like to talk to him...
kate@witherspoonphoto.com
Thank you google...

[freshvintage]

That is crazy, Kate! I will certainly tell Doug to email you. It is nice to know that you aren't scared to get in touch with him, after reading this blog post. ; )

[Robin]

Sealtest had a factory in Huntington, Indiana, where I grew up. My uncle worked there for a while. I remember Sealtest being the "expensive" ice cream that we couldn't afford. It was probably comparable to Breyers now.

[Laura]

Sealtest was also sold in the South. My mom used to buy it.

[Jim Locke]

Vernon Fletcher Hovey III, grandson of the founder of Sealtest Ice Cream, was a high school classmate of mine at Niskayuna High School, Niskayuna, NY, class of 1964. Vernon Fletcher Hovey, his grandfather, lived in a large, expensive, home on my best friend's newspaper route. Vernon's family lived about 2 blocks away, also in a nice home, but not as exclusive as his grandfather's, on my paper route. Vernon's Dad worked at Sealtest and we thought of his family as also being wealthy. At Christmas, my best friend was tipped $10 by the grandparents and I $5 by Vern's parents. These were our largest tips, a lot of money in the early 1960s. Most customers tipped $1 and a few $2.

Sadly, Vernon Fletcher Hovey III died in the Vietnam War in 1970, a few days short of his 24th birthday. His name is on the Wall and there is a memorial to him at Niskayuna High School.

[Jackie Kuyk]

This story is VERY fascinating to me, as I am a great-granddaughter of Hank, granddaughter of Ann Hovey Kuyk. I have very fond memories of Gram and Grampi. These pictures were fantastic, and I did not know they existed. Our side of the family has fallen out of touch with Grampi. Is there any possibility you could put me in touch with Doug (nothing creepy, maybe email?). Thank you so much for sharing!

Jackie Kuyk - jfkuyk@hotmail.com

[Bill]

All of the Liggett-Rexall drug store soda fountains sold Sealtest ice cream and milk, back in the 50s-70s. (at least in all of the company stores) I used to work for them in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. They also sold 1/2 gallons in the drug store part.

[Jeff Murray]

I used to sell copiers with Jeff Hovey who was the greatest copier salesman in America in the early 1980's. Is he related to you?

[Chris Allen]

My Father was a Route Salesman for Sealtest here in Central Illinois From 1950-1985.
I have a metal spoon like that as well.My Dad gave it to my Aunt back in the 50's.
My Cousin Blessed me by giving it to me last year.
My Dad has been gone since 2000, and it was a touching gift that reminds me of him.
Needless to say ,having a Sealtest Man for a Dad was great! We had lots of great Sealtest Ice Cream always on hand:)

[charmingdate]

Needless to say ,having a Sealtest Man for a Dad was great! We had lots of great Sealtest Ice Cream always on hand:)