Grandma starts writing again in her diary in two days. In the meantime, I'll continue with the story of Gilbert, picking up where we left off yesterday. This is what Grandma wrote in her family history.
"His (Gilbert's) first job was for a fertilizer company in Francesville. I do not know how long he worked there, but am sure that he did not enjoy it, so was glad when his friend McMullen came to Indianapolis and wrote for him to come to the city as he could get a job with the gas company if he were here. For a while he lived with Mac at the home of his aunt, which was in the north west part of the city near the Langsdale Avenue plant where Mac worked, but his work was in the downtown office, so that is how he happened to walk up Alabama Street looking for a room, and see the "room for rent" sign in Mrs. Bell's window which led him to move into Bell's home.
The Bells, whom I had known for many years, were in charge of the Intermediate Department of the Central Christian Church Sunday School, having been active in the organization of that department when the Sunday School was first departmentalized and they were the first Superintendents and I was the first secretary. At that time more than a thousand people attended every Sunday, and there were close to a hundred in the department. Mrs. Bell had been of the Robert's family in whose home the church had been organized, and she was a relative of William Canfield who, at his death, left a half million dollar estate to the church for educational purposes and was at that time time still active in the Christian Endeavor and one of its sponsors whom Gilbert and I came to know.
The Bells lived on Alabama Street, in the block east of the church, in one of the big old houses of the neighborhood. They had three girls in school at that time, and Mr. Bell worked at the post office. He aspired to become a minister so in order to further his education and study for that calling, they rented their spare rooms to augment their income. So they had a card in the window advertising a room for rent, andGilbert had seen it while looking for a place to live and had moved in. Always looking for a chance to do a good turn and to promote the interests of the church, the Bells soon learned that their new roomer was from a Christian home, without a church connection in the city and had invited him to visit Church and Sunday School with them. So it happened that on that Septmeber Sunday morning, as the departments assembled with the rest of the Sunday School fro the closing exercises, I looked across the balcony and saw a stranger and asked Mrs. Bell, "Who is that tall good looking young man over there on the other side?" and she replied "That's my Mr. Smith. I brought him here, and I want you to see that he comes acquainted and stays. So I did! Could it have been "love at first sight"? He was there every weekend after that, and went to Christian Endeavor too, and the next Easter, he put his letter in the church, and on October 20, 1915, we were married in my father's home on College Avenue."
Annie was so right in her comment yesterday. We are lucky and fortunate that Grandma took the time to write all of this down. Otherwise, we would not know so much about our grandparents. And having my Mom and Aunt Marjorie comment with what they know, just adds to the depth of information.
Have YOU taken time to write your own family history?
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Thursday, March 11, 1926
Grandma starts to write in her diary in just a few more days. In the meantime, here is more from her family history:
"Gilbert, being unable to run and play with the other children, became an avid reader and it was at this time that his Aunt Lucy remarked that it was too bad that Liney's boy would never amount to anything because he was always sitting around with his nose in a book!... After Gilbert graduated from the Ladoga High School, the family moved to Crawfordsville, where Nell worked as a night operator for the telephone company and Bess became a sales lady in Bischoff's Dry Goods Store. By that time, Gilbert was able to walk without a cane, but the right limb was always shorter than the left, and he had to have his shoe rebuilt with an extension heel, and the limp was always visible. He was always sensitive about his condition and seemed to strive to compensate by holding his shoulders erect, and standing as tall as possible. He loved to take long walks even when he had to use his cane, and on days when there was no school, as a boy he would be found on the creek bank, fishing or swimming. His family did not know about his ability to swim until a school mate of his approached Bess on the street, and congratulated her on his bravery in pulling out another boy who was drowning. Bess was amazed and told him that he must have the wrong person in mind, as her brother was a cripple and could not swim but was soon convinced that he was the best swimmer of the crowd.
When they moved to Crawfordsville, the family was indignant because he refused to take a job of running the elevator in Bischoff's store, but he had other ideas. He decided to go to business college and prepare himself for a job in an office, but not having any money for the tuition, he spent the summer previous to entering doing janitor work, cleaning and painting at the college preparatory to its opening in the fall. So he worked his way through and garduated a respected member of his class, who had made good grades and several fast friends, Paul Jones and Nina Mount, who later married, and Everett McMullen."
I'll finish the story of Gilbert over the next few days...
"Gilbert, being unable to run and play with the other children, became an avid reader and it was at this time that his Aunt Lucy remarked that it was too bad that Liney's boy would never amount to anything because he was always sitting around with his nose in a book!... After Gilbert graduated from the Ladoga High School, the family moved to Crawfordsville, where Nell worked as a night operator for the telephone company and Bess became a sales lady in Bischoff's Dry Goods Store. By that time, Gilbert was able to walk without a cane, but the right limb was always shorter than the left, and he had to have his shoe rebuilt with an extension heel, and the limp was always visible. He was always sensitive about his condition and seemed to strive to compensate by holding his shoulders erect, and standing as tall as possible. He loved to take long walks even when he had to use his cane, and on days when there was no school, as a boy he would be found on the creek bank, fishing or swimming. His family did not know about his ability to swim until a school mate of his approached Bess on the street, and congratulated her on his bravery in pulling out another boy who was drowning. Bess was amazed and told him that he must have the wrong person in mind, as her brother was a cripple and could not swim but was soon convinced that he was the best swimmer of the crowd.
When they moved to Crawfordsville, the family was indignant because he refused to take a job of running the elevator in Bischoff's store, but he had other ideas. He decided to go to business college and prepare himself for a job in an office, but not having any money for the tuition, he spent the summer previous to entering doing janitor work, cleaning and painting at the college preparatory to its opening in the fall. So he worked his way through and garduated a respected member of his class, who had made good grades and several fast friends, Paul Jones and Nina Mount, who later married, and Everett McMullen."
I'll finish the story of Gilbert over the next few days...
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Wednesday, March 10, 1926
In just a few days, Grandma resumes writing in her diary. In the meantime, we'll continue with excerpts from the family history she wrote. Here is more about Gilbert, her husband and my grandfather:
(Gilbert's mother, Caroline Lucinda Thompson).. " married a neighbor, James William Albert Smith who was about six years younger. To this union were born Nellie May, on Nov. 5, 1874, Clara Bessie, born Sept. 4, 1886, and Gilbert Leo, born August 30, 1889, on a farm near Carpentersville. After having the two girls, they were overjoyed at the arrival of a boy in Liney's family (Liney was Caroline's nickname). His Dad thought that at last he had help with his farming. But alas, it did not turn out that way, for at the age of five Gilbert became ill, and at the time when he should have been starting to school, he was bedfast and under a doctor's care. At that time in the country, medical knowledge was so limited that they never knew just what the trouble was. Their doctor called it 'white swelling' which seemed to affect the thigh bone on his right side. After the fever subsided, the bone was so tender that he could not walk without crutches for several years. Also, the growth of that bone was retarded for a while so that leg was never quite as long as the other one, so after the crutches, he used a cane. He was finally able to start to school when he was eight years old, and was such a good scholar that he was soon able to make up part of what he had missed."
We will continue with more about Gilbert over the next few days. Does anyone have any idea what the "white swelling" might have been? I checked one site of outdated medical terms and it refers to it as "tuberculosis of bones and joints.
(Gilbert's mother, Caroline Lucinda Thompson).. " married a neighbor, James William Albert Smith who was about six years younger. To this union were born Nellie May, on Nov. 5, 1874, Clara Bessie, born Sept. 4, 1886, and Gilbert Leo, born August 30, 1889, on a farm near Carpentersville. After having the two girls, they were overjoyed at the arrival of a boy in Liney's family (Liney was Caroline's nickname). His Dad thought that at last he had help with his farming. But alas, it did not turn out that way, for at the age of five Gilbert became ill, and at the time when he should have been starting to school, he was bedfast and under a doctor's care. At that time in the country, medical knowledge was so limited that they never knew just what the trouble was. Their doctor called it 'white swelling' which seemed to affect the thigh bone on his right side. After the fever subsided, the bone was so tender that he could not walk without crutches for several years. Also, the growth of that bone was retarded for a while so that leg was never quite as long as the other one, so after the crutches, he used a cane. He was finally able to start to school when he was eight years old, and was such a good scholar that he was soon able to make up part of what he had missed."
We will continue with more about Gilbert over the next few days. Does anyone have any idea what the "white swelling" might have been? I checked one site of outdated medical terms and it refers to it as "tuberculosis of bones and joints.
Friday, March 09, 2007
Tuesday, March 9, 1926
The next several posts will be about Gilbert Leo Smith. Aunt Marjorie corrected me on the job he had at the local gas company:
"Daddy was chief clerk! He had a secretary and occasionally talked about her. She was an identical twin, and one time a boyfriend came to see her and she just didn't want to see him. She said, "I'm sorry but my sister isn't home." Another time, Daddy asked me for one of my magazines, 'Wee Wisdom' so his secretary could show it to her niece."
Here's a link to a picture of Gilbert's office at the gas company and a link to a picture of him taken at outside at the gas company.
"Daddy was chief clerk! He had a secretary and occasionally talked about her. She was an identical twin, and one time a boyfriend came to see her and she just didn't want to see him. She said, "I'm sorry but my sister isn't home." Another time, Daddy asked me for one of my magazines, 'Wee Wisdom' so his secretary could show it to her niece."
Here's a link to a picture of Gilbert's office at the gas company and a link to a picture of him taken at outside at the gas company.
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Monday, March 8, 1926
To fill in this gap in Grandma's diary, I'm quoting from the family history she wrote. I'm going to fast forward to her thoughts on her new home at 1208 N. Rural St.
"We moved into our newly purchased home on October 18, 1921, just two days short of our sixth wedding anniversary, one of the happiest days of my life. After living in a run-down rental property where the only modern convenience was electricity, it seemed like heaven to live in a house with bedrooms upstairs and a modern bathroom and connections for a gas stove, although we did have to count our pennies very carefully to pay for the increase in the cost of our monthly expenses. One bedroom and the bath were downstairs, which made it very convenient when Ned Myron was born on Sept. 9, 1923 and Marjorie Ruth came on October 5, 1925, and Eleanor June on Sept. 2, 1929, which was Labor Day."
I know that many readers have been following these diaries for several months, and might have some questions about who some of these people are or what became of them. If you have a question, please leave it in a comment and I'll do my best to answer it or get an answer from my Mom or Aunt Marjorie. You can even leave your question anonymously, if your prefer.
"We moved into our newly purchased home on October 18, 1921, just two days short of our sixth wedding anniversary, one of the happiest days of my life. After living in a run-down rental property where the only modern convenience was electricity, it seemed like heaven to live in a house with bedrooms upstairs and a modern bathroom and connections for a gas stove, although we did have to count our pennies very carefully to pay for the increase in the cost of our monthly expenses. One bedroom and the bath were downstairs, which made it very convenient when Ned Myron was born on Sept. 9, 1923 and Marjorie Ruth came on October 5, 1925, and Eleanor June on Sept. 2, 1929, which was Labor Day."
I know that many readers have been following these diaries for several months, and might have some questions about who some of these people are or what became of them. If you have a question, please leave it in a comment and I'll do my best to answer it or get an answer from my Mom or Aunt Marjorie. You can even leave your question anonymously, if your prefer.
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Sunday, March 7, 1926
We are about half way through Grandma's gap in diary writing, so here is some more from the family history.
"During this time Guy, (her brother) was in Ashkum, publishing his paper, as a bachelor at first, doing his own cooking and housework, and even his own mending and embroidering in his spare time. Then he married Nellie Schneipp, and they set up housekeeping, with the consent of her parents, but after a short time it was learned that Nellie had tuberculosis, so her father forced their separation and took Nellie and the rest of the family to Lamar, Missouri where she was bedfast until her death. It was for Nellie that Guy had purchased the little piano which he gave to me upon Nellie's death, and on which I learned to play and used for many years. My first teacher was a neighbor girl in Irvington when I was eight."
So now we know where Grandma got her piano. But it seems sad the way Nellie's father took her away from her husband Guy when she got sick.
"During this time Guy, (her brother) was in Ashkum, publishing his paper, as a bachelor at first, doing his own cooking and housework, and even his own mending and embroidering in his spare time. Then he married Nellie Schneipp, and they set up housekeeping, with the consent of her parents, but after a short time it was learned that Nellie had tuberculosis, so her father forced their separation and took Nellie and the rest of the family to Lamar, Missouri where she was bedfast until her death. It was for Nellie that Guy had purchased the little piano which he gave to me upon Nellie's death, and on which I learned to play and used for many years. My first teacher was a neighbor girl in Irvington when I was eight."
So now we know where Grandma got her piano. But it seems sad the way Nellie's father took her away from her husband Guy when she got sick.
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
Saturday, March 6, 1926
More family history because Grandma has a gap in her diary writing...
Grandma had three older brothers, George Guy (called Guy) born Feb. 17, 1880, Andrew Wilbur (called Bur) born September 16, 1881, Harry Jordan born September 23, 1883. Grandma was born December 18, 1892. When Grandma was five years old, they moved to Gibson City, Illinois and Grandma wrote:
"It was time for school to start when we moved, and my father was going to take Harry to enroll him when I begged to go along, just to be going somewhere, and I was permitted to go, after I had promised not to beg to enroll in school too, as I had not yet passed my sixth birthday and my folks thought that I would not be entitled to enter until I was six. So Harry was enrolled, then the principal insisted that I enter too when he learned that my birthday was before Christmas. So I not only entered school as a surprise before I was six, they found that I already knew the first year work before many weeks had passed, for while I played around the printing office with Guy, he had taught me my numbers and how to read and spell, and also how to set type. So before long, I was in the second grade."
All three of Grandma's brothers were in the printing business, working for a variety of printers and newspapers. She noted that her brother Guy started a newspaper and ran a job printing office at the age of eighteen, in Ashkum, Illinois, the youngest newspaper editor in the state.
Grandma had three older brothers, George Guy (called Guy) born Feb. 17, 1880, Andrew Wilbur (called Bur) born September 16, 1881, Harry Jordan born September 23, 1883. Grandma was born December 18, 1892. When Grandma was five years old, they moved to Gibson City, Illinois and Grandma wrote:
"It was time for school to start when we moved, and my father was going to take Harry to enroll him when I begged to go along, just to be going somewhere, and I was permitted to go, after I had promised not to beg to enroll in school too, as I had not yet passed my sixth birthday and my folks thought that I would not be entitled to enter until I was six. So Harry was enrolled, then the principal insisted that I enter too when he learned that my birthday was before Christmas. So I not only entered school as a surprise before I was six, they found that I already knew the first year work before many weeks had passed, for while I played around the printing office with Guy, he had taught me my numbers and how to read and spell, and also how to set type. So before long, I was in the second grade."
All three of Grandma's brothers were in the printing business, working for a variety of printers and newspapers. She noted that her brother Guy started a newspaper and ran a job printing office at the age of eighteen, in Ashkum, Illinois, the youngest newspaper editor in the state.
Monday, March 05, 2007
Friday, March 5, 1926
I'm continuing with excerpts from the family history that Grandma wrote, since she has a gap of several days in her diary. This excerpt is about her paternal grandparents, Issac M. Campbell and his wife, Lydia Ann Hoar, who were married on June 28, 1849. They had four children, Harriet Theressa, Rolla Wilbur (Grandma's father), Jesse Elijah and Mary Hannah (who died before she was two years old). And I've added several pictures of them on the picture blog, you can link there from their names.
"The doctor (Issac M. Campbell) was a large, heavy set man for his day, while his wife, known as 'Little Grandma' weighed 80 pounds most of her life. She was so small and young looking that folks would come to their house to get the doctor, and would often mistake her for his daughter, and ask her if her father was in. But I was told by those who knew them as neighbors, as well as relatives that what she lacked in stature, she made up in disposition and ability to help anyone in a time of crisis. She was the one of the neighborhood that folks would want to help nurse them when they were ill, and she never turned down a call for help. Her kindness and gentle nature were traditional to the family in the whole town, and they used to say that the hobos had her house marked as a place where they could always expect a handout. She was a 'sainted grandmother', as one chronicler put it."
Lydia sounds like a lovely person, though I'm not sure how young she looks in the picture we have of her. But I don't think anyone looked all that great in the pictures taken in the 1800's.
"The doctor (Issac M. Campbell) was a large, heavy set man for his day, while his wife, known as 'Little Grandma' weighed 80 pounds most of her life. She was so small and young looking that folks would come to their house to get the doctor, and would often mistake her for his daughter, and ask her if her father was in. But I was told by those who knew them as neighbors, as well as relatives that what she lacked in stature, she made up in disposition and ability to help anyone in a time of crisis. She was the one of the neighborhood that folks would want to help nurse them when they were ill, and she never turned down a call for help. Her kindness and gentle nature were traditional to the family in the whole town, and they used to say that the hobos had her house marked as a place where they could always expect a handout. She was a 'sainted grandmother', as one chronicler put it."
Lydia sounds like a lovely person, though I'm not sure how young she looks in the picture we have of her. But I don't think anyone looked all that great in the pictures taken in the 1800's.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Thursday, March 4, 1926
As noted a few days ago, we have a gap in Grandma's diaries for these first days of March, so I am filling in with some family history information that she wrote. She wrote the following about her grandfather, Isaac M. Campbell, who was also a physician, like her father.
"In the pioneer days, even the doctors in the small towns had to take care of their own manual chores so I am told that my grandfather was a very good cabinet maker and made part of his own furniture. The bed stand and the dresser that I have, however, had been made for them by Isaac Hanna, probably in the 1850's or 1860's. Also organized churches were scarce, so often neighbors would hold meetings in someone's home with one of them doing the preaching in case there was no circuit rider available. In such a case they found that grandfather, with his college education, could offer the prayer, and preach a sermon as well as the best of them. I have heard it said that he could attend at the birth of a person, take care of his physical and spiritual needs while he was living, and at the time of his death he could make his coffin and preach his funeral! It was also claimed by some that he possessed occult powers and could visualize patient's physical surroundings as well as his condition, and prescribe accordingly. This, however, was not mentioned by my father (Rolla) who did not tend to believe what he could not understand, though his brother Jesse took much stock in it."
I believe that one of my cousins has at least the bed stand mentioned here. It is a large, carved, heavy wood headboard.
"In the pioneer days, even the doctors in the small towns had to take care of their own manual chores so I am told that my grandfather was a very good cabinet maker and made part of his own furniture. The bed stand and the dresser that I have, however, had been made for them by Isaac Hanna, probably in the 1850's or 1860's. Also organized churches were scarce, so often neighbors would hold meetings in someone's home with one of them doing the preaching in case there was no circuit rider available. In such a case they found that grandfather, with his college education, could offer the prayer, and preach a sermon as well as the best of them. I have heard it said that he could attend at the birth of a person, take care of his physical and spiritual needs while he was living, and at the time of his death he could make his coffin and preach his funeral! It was also claimed by some that he possessed occult powers and could visualize patient's physical surroundings as well as his condition, and prescribe accordingly. This, however, was not mentioned by my father (Rolla) who did not tend to believe what he could not understand, though his brother Jesse took much stock in it."
I believe that one of my cousins has at least the bed stand mentioned here. It is a large, carved, heavy wood headboard.
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Wednesday, March 3, 1926
Since Grandma did not write in her diary today, we'll continue with excerpts from the family history she wrote.
"After their wedding, the Campbells went to housekeeping in Fort Recovery (Ohio), where Rolla started his practice of medicine in the office of Dr. John Adams, who also had a drug store and the new doctor was employed at $26 a month. That was not too meager a start in those days for they were content with their scanty furnishings, which were as good as their contemporaries had when they started out."
I used an inflation calculate to determine that what cost $26 in 1879 would cost $524.35 in 2006. I don't think that really tells us what standard of living someone could afford making $26 per month in 1879. I found another site that indicated $1 in 1878 would be the same as $15.19 today.
I think it is safe to say that a young doctor did not make a lot of money back then.
("Campbells" are Ruth's parents, Rolla was her father).
"After their wedding, the Campbells went to housekeeping in Fort Recovery (Ohio), where Rolla started his practice of medicine in the office of Dr. John Adams, who also had a drug store and the new doctor was employed at $26 a month. That was not too meager a start in those days for they were content with their scanty furnishings, which were as good as their contemporaries had when they started out."
I used an inflation calculate to determine that what cost $26 in 1879 would cost $524.35 in 2006. I don't think that really tells us what standard of living someone could afford making $26 per month in 1879. I found another site that indicated $1 in 1878 would be the same as $15.19 today.
I think it is safe to say that a young doctor did not make a lot of money back then.
("Campbells" are Ruth's parents, Rolla was her father).
Friday, March 02, 2007
Tuesday, March 2, 1926
There is no diary entry for March 2, 1926, in fact there are several days coming up when Grandma did not write in her diary. Aunt Marjorie sent me a note speculating on why she missed these days, but I'll leave that explanation for the day she starts writing again.
In the meantime, for those who stop by daily, I'll share some of the family history that Grandma wrote in 1972. We'll start with the story of how her parents, Rolla Wilbur Campbell and Nancy Elizabeth Jordan met, even though Rolla lived in Ohio, and Nancy in Illinois. (If this isn't what you came here to read, I understand, please come back in a week or so when Grandma starts writing in her diary again.)
"So the only living descendents of the Isaac M. Campbells were the family of my father, Rolla Wilbur, who had hauled logs from Fort Recovery (Ohio) to a spoke factory at Union City (Indiana?) to earn enough money to pay his way through the University of Cincinnati Medical School where he graduated near the head of his class in 1879. His roommate there was James Denney, also from Fort Recovery. He (James) had been writing to a former neighbor girl, Emma Creary, whose family had moved to Ford county, Illinois where they were neighbors of the Jordan family. It was through her recommendation too that William Jordan got the name of James Denney's sister, Sarah, in Fort Recovery and he wrote to her. Their coorespondence ended in his going to Ohio and marrying her, and they went to Illinois to live. She (Sarah) sent her brother James the name of her sister-in-law whom they called Lizzie (Nancy Elizabeth Jordan), and they wrote to each other for some time, until James proposed that he and Rolla trade names, to let him write to Emma Creary for awhile. Later James Denney wanted to trade back, but neither Lizzie or Rolla consented. Right after he graduated from college, Rolla went to Gibson City (Illinois) and married Nancy Elizabeth Jordan on March 11, 1879, at the home of the bride's parent, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jordan. However, this was not the first time they had seen each other, for he previously had visited her, and had seen that she was as attractive as her letters had made her seem. This answers the question that was often asked, "How did you two meet with your homes so far apart"? Dr. James Denney never married but I remember his visiting us at one time, as he was passing through Indianapolis from Chicago where he was the doctor for one of the railroads, and was quite well-to-do. Emma Creary visited at our home once, also."
I had to read that twice to figure out who was writing to who. Can you imagine marrying someone at your second meeting, after only exchanging letters for a period of time? I would guess they wrote back and forth for a couple of years. Those letters would be interesting to read! But I am positive somone long ago threw them away or lost them.
In the meantime, for those who stop by daily, I'll share some of the family history that Grandma wrote in 1972. We'll start with the story of how her parents, Rolla Wilbur Campbell and Nancy Elizabeth Jordan met, even though Rolla lived in Ohio, and Nancy in Illinois. (If this isn't what you came here to read, I understand, please come back in a week or so when Grandma starts writing in her diary again.)
"So the only living descendents of the Isaac M. Campbells were the family of my father, Rolla Wilbur, who had hauled logs from Fort Recovery (Ohio) to a spoke factory at Union City (Indiana?) to earn enough money to pay his way through the University of Cincinnati Medical School where he graduated near the head of his class in 1879. His roommate there was James Denney, also from Fort Recovery. He (James) had been writing to a former neighbor girl, Emma Creary, whose family had moved to Ford county, Illinois where they were neighbors of the Jordan family. It was through her recommendation too that William Jordan got the name of James Denney's sister, Sarah, in Fort Recovery and he wrote to her. Their coorespondence ended in his going to Ohio and marrying her, and they went to Illinois to live. She (Sarah) sent her brother James the name of her sister-in-law whom they called Lizzie (Nancy Elizabeth Jordan), and they wrote to each other for some time, until James proposed that he and Rolla trade names, to let him write to Emma Creary for awhile. Later James Denney wanted to trade back, but neither Lizzie or Rolla consented. Right after he graduated from college, Rolla went to Gibson City (Illinois) and married Nancy Elizabeth Jordan on March 11, 1879, at the home of the bride's parent, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Jordan. However, this was not the first time they had seen each other, for he previously had visited her, and had seen that she was as attractive as her letters had made her seem. This answers the question that was often asked, "How did you two meet with your homes so far apart"? Dr. James Denney never married but I remember his visiting us at one time, as he was passing through Indianapolis from Chicago where he was the doctor for one of the railroads, and was quite well-to-do. Emma Creary visited at our home once, also."
I had to read that twice to figure out who was writing to who. Can you imagine marrying someone at your second meeting, after only exchanging letters for a period of time? I would guess they wrote back and forth for a couple of years. Those letters would be interesting to read! But I am positive somone long ago threw them away or lost them.
Thursday, March 01, 2007
Monday, March 1, 1926
Monday, March 1, 1926
All kinds
Mama came over to help me down town with the kiddies. We got goods for our quilt backs then she came home with them. I went on to Goldsteins and got my curtain goods, a crepe dress, an then to Kirks and got a buffet and a chiffonier, surely a big day! I didn’t get home till six. Found Mama had gone home leaving the babies asleep. Then she called up and found Marjorie crying so she called Mrs. Camplin to come and feed and dry her. I found her here and the boys were making so much noise Marjorie was frightened. Pandemonium reigned and I was thoroughly ashamed of the whole Smith family.
(The "kiddies" would be Ned & Marjorie. Aunt Marjorie wrote to me, "Mrs.Camplin lived across the street in the house Jackie Wills lived in later. She was older, and her children were grown. I guess the buffet I remember wasn't as big as the one you remember. After Grandpa Campbell died and Grandmother closed down her house, she gave the lovely dining room furniture to Mother. I don't know what happened to the original furniture that I remember. She surely went on a shopping spree today!"
Yes, the buffet I remember was a large piece of furniture, as was the table that went with it.
I had to laugh at Grandma's last comment about being "ashamed of the whole Smith family". I guess the older boys weren't on their best behavior!)
All kinds
Mama came over to help me down town with the kiddies. We got goods for our quilt backs then she came home with them. I went on to Goldsteins and got my curtain goods, a crepe dress, an then to Kirks and got a buffet and a chiffonier, surely a big day! I didn’t get home till six. Found Mama had gone home leaving the babies asleep. Then she called up and found Marjorie crying so she called Mrs. Camplin to come and feed and dry her. I found her here and the boys were making so much noise Marjorie was frightened. Pandemonium reigned and I was thoroughly ashamed of the whole Smith family.
(The "kiddies" would be Ned & Marjorie. Aunt Marjorie wrote to me, "Mrs.Camplin lived across the street in the house Jackie Wills lived in later. She was older, and her children were grown. I guess the buffet I remember wasn't as big as the one you remember. After Grandpa Campbell died and Grandmother closed down her house, she gave the lovely dining room furniture to Mother. I don't know what happened to the original furniture that I remember. She surely went on a shopping spree today!"
Yes, the buffet I remember was a large piece of furniture, as was the table that went with it.
I had to laugh at Grandma's last comment about being "ashamed of the whole Smith family". I guess the older boys weren't on their best behavior!)
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Sunday, February 28, 1926
Grandma did not write in her diary on this day. I would guess they went to Sunday School and some would stay for church, which was their usual routine. Afterwards, they would have a nice Sunday dinner and spend the rest of the day relaxing.
Does your family ever discuss who looks like who in your family tree? Here's Aunt Marjorie's comment on that ,in response to my comment that I thought I looked a little bit like Aunt Bess (she doesn't necessarily agree that is who I look like, but she remembers the older Aunt Bess, and I'm just comparing myself to a picture of a younger Bess).
"Mother always said Eleanor and Albert looked like Smiths, Dale looked like Grandpa Cambell, Dick and I were Campbells and/or Jordans, and Ned was a changling. Mother always said if Ned been born in a hospital they must have switched babies!"
But Ned, along with all the other children, was born at home, so has to be claimed!
Does your family ever discuss who looks like who in your family tree? Here's Aunt Marjorie's comment on that ,in response to my comment that I thought I looked a little bit like Aunt Bess (she doesn't necessarily agree that is who I look like, but she remembers the older Aunt Bess, and I'm just comparing myself to a picture of a younger Bess).
"Mother always said Eleanor and Albert looked like Smiths, Dale looked like Grandpa Cambell, Dick and I were Campbells and/or Jordans, and Ned was a changling. Mother always said if Ned been born in a hospital they must have switched babies!"
But Ned, along with all the other children, was born at home, so has to be claimed!
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Saturday, February 27, 1926
Again, Grandma did not write in her diary today. Here is some information from Aunt Marjorie on the piano playing:
"When Albert was in high school, he visited one of his school friends in Irvington, either John or Louis Bruck and was enthralled with their ability to play the piano. Bruck told his teacher, Edith Garrison at 101 S. Ritter (I think) who invited Albert as a scholarship student. He advanced quickly, and I still instantly recognize the classical music he played. (One of the Bruck boys was killed in WWII. Their sister Katherine was at Tech (High School) with Ned.)"
Here's a link to a picture of Albert as an adult and a link to more information about him. Would any family members care to comment with memories of Uncle Albert?
"When Albert was in high school, he visited one of his school friends in Irvington, either John or Louis Bruck and was enthralled with their ability to play the piano. Bruck told his teacher, Edith Garrison at 101 S. Ritter (I think) who invited Albert as a scholarship student. He advanced quickly, and I still instantly recognize the classical music he played. (One of the Bruck boys was killed in WWII. Their sister Katherine was at Tech (High School) with Ned.)"
Here's a link to a picture of Albert as an adult and a link to more information about him. Would any family members care to comment with memories of Uncle Albert?
Monday, February 26, 2007
Friday, February 26, 1926
Another day when Grandma did not post a diary entry. However, Aunt Marjorie sent me some notes on past diary entries, to expand upon what I wrote and clear up some comments I made. Here is what she wrote about their piano.
"We always had a piano when we were young. It was old and finally got so out of tune it couldn't be tuned again. The Collins family (they lived across the street) had a piano and later somehow they thought they didn't need it any more and offered it to Mother. She gave our old one to Goodwill or someone. I don't know how old I was, but I was old enough to be embarrassed when the men carrying it out stood on the front porch playing it and laughing at how bad it sounded. The Collins' piano was the one Albert, Eleanor and I took piano lessons on. Many years later, Mary Collins asked Mother if we were still using the piano as Marianna would love to have it for her 3 children. Of course, Mother said okay."
An odd coincidence, perhaps, but my youngest sister (who comments as "Sister of the Homestead") recently acquired a piano from her neighbor across the street, and her two older children are taking lessons. I did not know my mother (Eleanor) ever took piano lessons! I knew she played the flute in high school.
"We always had a piano when we were young. It was old and finally got so out of tune it couldn't be tuned again. The Collins family (they lived across the street) had a piano and later somehow they thought they didn't need it any more and offered it to Mother. She gave our old one to Goodwill or someone. I don't know how old I was, but I was old enough to be embarrassed when the men carrying it out stood on the front porch playing it and laughing at how bad it sounded. The Collins' piano was the one Albert, Eleanor and I took piano lessons on. Many years later, Mary Collins asked Mother if we were still using the piano as Marianna would love to have it for her 3 children. Of course, Mother said okay."
An odd coincidence, perhaps, but my youngest sister (who comments as "Sister of the Homestead") recently acquired a piano from her neighbor across the street, and her two older children are taking lessons. I did not know my mother (Eleanor) ever took piano lessons! I knew she played the flute in high school.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Thursday, February 25, 1926
Thursday, February 25, 1926
Windy
My how the days fly! Got my ironing done by noon and had planned to make a house dress this PM and possibly cut out some things but Mama came and I cut out a pattern off of hers and didn’t even get my dishes done till time to get supper. Had planned to take Dale to the church prayer meetings, but saw I wouldn’t get ready in time. Then I thought I would put in the evening sewing and get something made yet and Marjorie took a spell crying so hard that I haven’t done a thing but walk the floor with her. Don’t know what is the matter with her. This is the second spell this week.
(Another day with a lot of sewing, or attempts to do some sewing. In othe diary entries, Grandma has written that she didn't get much done when her mother came to visit, because her mother talked all the time, and because she could not hear well out of one ear, she had to strain to listen.
Windy
My how the days fly! Got my ironing done by noon and had planned to make a house dress this PM and possibly cut out some things but Mama came and I cut out a pattern off of hers and didn’t even get my dishes done till time to get supper. Had planned to take Dale to the church prayer meetings, but saw I wouldn’t get ready in time. Then I thought I would put in the evening sewing and get something made yet and Marjorie took a spell crying so hard that I haven’t done a thing but walk the floor with her. Don’t know what is the matter with her. This is the second spell this week.
(Another day with a lot of sewing, or attempts to do some sewing. In othe diary entries, Grandma has written that she didn't get much done when her mother came to visit, because her mother talked all the time, and because she could not hear well out of one ear, she had to strain to listen.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Wednesday, February 24, 1926
Wednesday, February 24, 1926
I’m getting a bad case of blues. There are so many things I would like to do – places to go, etc. none of them taking much, but I can’t do a thing to have any fun at all it seems, for lack of a few dimes and a little time. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and Jill, too and that’s my ticket. Gilbert had to work late this eve and a high wind came up with caused all kinds of noises around the house and coupled with rumors of a strange man in a vacant house in the neighborhood made me too nervous to enjoy the evening. More mending today – all my spare time.
(Aunt Majorie wrote, "I wonder if the kids brought home the rumors of a stranger in the neighborhood? I was never afraid when noisy boys were around the house, but only if I was alone with just sleeping babies.")
Grandma doesn't seem all too happy, but the end of a long winter can bring anyone down. As Marjorie previously noted several days ago, Grandma never had great material wealth, just "family" wealth.)
I’m getting a bad case of blues. There are so many things I would like to do – places to go, etc. none of them taking much, but I can’t do a thing to have any fun at all it seems, for lack of a few dimes and a little time. “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” and Jill, too and that’s my ticket. Gilbert had to work late this eve and a high wind came up with caused all kinds of noises around the house and coupled with rumors of a strange man in a vacant house in the neighborhood made me too nervous to enjoy the evening. More mending today – all my spare time.
(Aunt Majorie wrote, "I wonder if the kids brought home the rumors of a stranger in the neighborhood? I was never afraid when noisy boys were around the house, but only if I was alone with just sleeping babies.")
Grandma doesn't seem all too happy, but the end of a long winter can bring anyone down. As Marjorie previously noted several days ago, Grandma never had great material wealth, just "family" wealth.)
Friday, February 23, 2007
Tuesday, February 23, 1926
Tuesday, February 23, 1926
Clear & warm – springlike
Marjorie is getting as fat and pink cheeked as she can be. But last night about midnight she had a crying spell that seemed to bespeak genuine misery someway. She cried so hard! Finally got to sleep after one and I let her sleep this morning as long as she wanted to 11:30, thinking her stomach needed the rest. However it made her bath late, etc. and I didn’t get as much done today as yesterday as I had quite a bit of mending to do. Bess came out for supper – seemed in good spirits which is unusual for her as she usually has something to howl about. She plays with the boys and they are always hilarious when she comes out.
(This could be any 'stay at home' mother's post for today, even 80 years later.
If you haven't looked at the pictures in a while, here is a link to Aunt Bess's picture. This is probably when she was in her early 20's, she'd be closer to 40 at this time?
I see that it has been awhile since I posted any family pictures. I'll have to look for some more soon to post.)
Clear & warm – springlike
Marjorie is getting as fat and pink cheeked as she can be. But last night about midnight she had a crying spell that seemed to bespeak genuine misery someway. She cried so hard! Finally got to sleep after one and I let her sleep this morning as long as she wanted to 11:30, thinking her stomach needed the rest. However it made her bath late, etc. and I didn’t get as much done today as yesterday as I had quite a bit of mending to do. Bess came out for supper – seemed in good spirits which is unusual for her as she usually has something to howl about. She plays with the boys and they are always hilarious when she comes out.
(This could be any 'stay at home' mother's post for today, even 80 years later.
If you haven't looked at the pictures in a while, here is a link to Aunt Bess's picture. This is probably when she was in her early 20's, she'd be closer to 40 at this time?
I see that it has been awhile since I posted any family pictures. I'll have to look for some more soon to post.)
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Monday, February 22, 1926
Monday, February 22, 1926
The boys home all day dodging in and out. Mama came out about noon and Mrs. Collins came late in the afternoon and watched me sew. I made Albert a waist and she marveled at the ease with which I did it. A boy’s waist is a big job for her, but I told her that was because she never made many of them. I hope I get as much accomplished all week, as I did a pretty good sized wash by hand this AM. Been working in my low bath slippers, but have decided to put my shoes on soon even if my toe does hurt for these flat shoes make me tired all over.
(A "waist" is a type of shirt, by the way. And this would have been a school holiday, Washington's Birthday!)
The boys home all day dodging in and out. Mama came out about noon and Mrs. Collins came late in the afternoon and watched me sew. I made Albert a waist and she marveled at the ease with which I did it. A boy’s waist is a big job for her, but I told her that was because she never made many of them. I hope I get as much accomplished all week, as I did a pretty good sized wash by hand this AM. Been working in my low bath slippers, but have decided to put my shoes on soon even if my toe does hurt for these flat shoes make me tired all over.
(A "waist" is a type of shirt, by the way. And this would have been a school holiday, Washington's Birthday!)
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Sunday, February 21, 1926
Sunday, February 21, 1926
Stayed home all day and tried to rest. Gilbert went to Sunday school and church with the boys. Albert stayed in “kindergarten” during services. Gilbert likes the new minister fine.
(Grandma was probably still struggling from her toe injury. I'm sure it was hard to get around and keep up with everyone and everything when she couldn't put weight on her foot.)
Stayed home all day and tried to rest. Gilbert went to Sunday school and church with the boys. Albert stayed in “kindergarten” during services. Gilbert likes the new minister fine.
(Grandma was probably still struggling from her toe injury. I'm sure it was hard to get around and keep up with everyone and everything when she couldn't put weight on her foot.)
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