I don’t know much about Karl but I will share what I have about him. Karl is my husband’s maternal 3rd great grandfather. Like Bart’s other maternal immigrant ancestors that I’ve written about, Karl is from Saxony- the same area of Prussia (now Germany) that his other immigrant ancestors were from (the ones that I’ve written about so far, that is). The information I’m giving you today is from the 1880 census because that is one of the few documents I have that I feel certain belongs to Karl. On this date in 1834, Karl August BRUMM was born. He married at the age of 26. He and his wife, Wilhelmina, were married in Saxony. On the 1880 census, Karl was 46 years old. Living with him were his wife, Mina, and his daughters- Pauline, Rosa (Therese Rosa- Bart’s 2nd great grandmother whom I wrote about here), Emma, Anna, and Clara- and his sons- Clemens, Oliver, and George – all of whom were born in Saxony. All of the children attended school except 4-year-old George. In 1880 they were living in Delaware Township, Sanilac County, Michigan. The story in this census record that is begging to be told is the story about Karl’s occupation. He gave his occupation as “Farmer & works in wool mill”. There were not very many woolen mills in Sanilac County in 1880. In fact, the only woolen mills I found in Delaware Township, where the BRUMM family was living, were the mills in Minden. (This information is from the book, Atlas of Sanilac County, Michigan : containing maps of every township in the county, with village and city plats, and outline map of the county, also maps of Michigan, United States and the world, by E. R. Cookingham, J. S. Randall, J. L. Smith, and L. D. Cookingham found at University of Michigan Library’s digital archives.)
Village of Minden map.
This is a map of the village of Minden from the book mentioned above.
Enlarged portion of the Village of Minden map showing the woolen mills.
This is an enlarged portion of the map showing the woolen mills.
Business ad for Minden City Woolen Mills.
Business advertisement for Minden Woolen Mill. There were no other ads so I’m assuming that Mr. Leavenworth owned all the woolen mills in Minden. I found no information about how many woolen mills there were but they were all in one place on the map so possibly there were only 2. I don’t know what job Karl did at the woolen mill but I did find a great video from a woolen mill in Frankenmuth, Michigan that is still in operation. It’s very interesting. I hope you’ll watch it. It talks about how they process wool. Frankenmuth Michigan woolen mill video. If you ever get a chance to visit Frankenmuth or Delaware Township in Michigan, you definitely should go. It’s a wonderful summer trip and a beautiful area. I’ve so enjoyed introducing you to Karl and the wool milling process. Be sure to check back on Saturday for the weekend wrap up where I give you any additional information that didn’t make it into the weekly blog posts and on Sunday for next week’s schedule. Happy Friday!!
It’s the weekend! YAY! I haven’t been able to do much extra research for a couple of weeks now but I’m thankful for Becky who was able to do a little extra research this week and share it with us. Also, be sure to read to the end because there’s a big surprise at the end of the wrap-up! Sarah DAVIS REITER Becky and I are looking into whether or not Sarah was a midwife. We may never know definitively but we’re trying. Rebecca WORK, who was at two of the three births documented in my post earlier this week, was also recorded as being at other families’ births in the same locale. I’m fairly certain Rebecca was a midwife. My question comes in whether or not Sarah was a midwife or midwife-in-training (or neither).
Fold3 record showing Rebecca was present at the birth of Alice Hobbs.
Fold3 record from Becky- one of the records showing Rebecca was present at the delivery of the HOBBS children. Becky and I have also both questioned whether or not that is really Sarah on the 1870 Mortality schedule. Something’s going on- we’re just not sure what. There is a Sarah living with Nicholas and his children in 1880.
1880 Federal Census record for Nicholas and Sarah Riter family.
So the timeline goes like this: 1870 Mortality schedule- Sarah dies of consumption. 1870 Federal census- Nicholas and children are censused without Sarah. 1880 Federal census- Nicholas and children are censused with Nicholas’ wife, Sarah. So, is this a second wife named Sarah? Was Sarah, for some reason, mistakenly assumed dead or mistakenly censused as dead in 1870? We don’t’ know all the answers yet but we’re still looking so there may be a future update on Sarah. Lucille DEWITT WILLIAMS CULLOM and Mary McATEE WEDDING I have no updates yet on these two women. My husband’s Uncle Gerry is in the process of sending me copies of some records so there will, at some point, be an update on Lucille. For now, there is no new information to post. John WILLIAMS- I forgot him! When I posted the week’s schedule last Sunday I completely forgot to add in John WILLIAMS, my paternal 3rd great grandfather! John was born on this date in McKeesport, Illinois. You will never find this place on a map. I’m not sure where it is, actually. The information I have on his birth comes from his obituary and gravestone as well as this biographical piece in Historical Review of Arkansas: Its Commerce, Industry and Modern Affairs, Volume 3 by Fay Hempstead.
Biography of Edgar Williams, son of John Williams.
Biography of Edgar WILLIAMS, son of John WILLIAMS. John was “a highly respected citizen of Roubidoux” in Texas County, Missouri. This was reported by the local paper in 1904. (The Houston Herald, 8 Sep 1904) He must have been well acquainted with the folks at the newspaper office because there were quite a few times that the local paper reported in the gossip column that John had come into town (Houston) to do business. John was married at least three times. His son Samuel was my 2nd great grandfather and was John’s first known son by his first known wife. I say “known wife” loosely since I don’t have any idea what her name was. John professed his faith in Christ at age 20 and joined the Methodist Church. He had one child by each of his first two wives and eight children with his third wife. It is said that when John’s son Samuel (my 2nd great grandfather) married my 2nd great grandmother Eliza Emma BELL that John disowned him. The reason is not known. You can read more about John and this particular issue at my cousin Annie Blanchard’s blog, Digging Genealogy. That link will get you to all of Annie’s posts about John and his son Samuel and that branch of the family. Much of what I know about John comes from Annie’s blog posts and from two incredible obituaries (one for John’s wife Armazinda and one for John) written by John’s friends at The Houston Herald.
Armazinda Wallace Williams’ obituary.
Armazinda WALLACE WILLIAMS’ obituary (sorry for the quality- it was the best I could do). 20 August 1903 The Houston Herald, Houston, Missouri.
John Williams’ obituary from the Houston Herald 8 September 1904.
John WILLIAMS’ obituary. 08 September 1904 The Houston Herald, Houston, Missouri. I know that type is hard to read so here is a transcription of the article: “Death of John Williams. _____ God in His infinite wisdom has seen fit to remove from this earth Mr. John Williams, aged 64 years, 6 months, 22 days. He died Sept. 2, 1904; he was born in Illinois Feb. 11, 1840, and came to Missouri in 1869. He made a profession of faith in Christ at the age of 20 and united with the Methodist church. He lived a Christian life and a few weeks before his death he was baptized in the Christian church at Prairie Point [Texas County, Missouri]. “Uncle John, as he was commonly called, has been a sufferer from chronic bronchitis for the past eight years, but has been gradually growing worse the last two years. He was taken worse a few days ago and God relieved him Saturday morning at 10:50. His last hours seemed to be his happiest ones. He was married three times; 8 children resulted from his last union, all of whom are still living. During his life he accumulated a great deal of wealth and was very honest in all his dealings. He was industrious and his children have an example before them as to industry and serving God. He was ready and willing to go and did not fear death at any time. His wife preceded him to that better world about one year ago and was there waiting the coming of her loved one who was very lonely after the death of his companion. His sons and daughters are heart stricken as they are fatherless and motherless, which as w[e] all know is very sad indeed, yet we are born to die and our Lord knows best. He has led another dear one from this earth into the arms of rest. He is sweetly sleeping and his spirit has returned to the God that gave it. No more will his children hear his good words of advice, but all is silent; a place is vacant in their home. His chair can’t be placed for papa to sit down to rest again, for alas, he is at rest in Heaven; he is around the Great White Throne with the angels and has joined them forever. Dear ones, you can’t bring him back, but you can go to him. You have the blessed assurance of meeting him never more to part; you have two bright lights in Heaven awaiting your coming, which we hope to know you will prepare to do and that is to meet them over there. They are safe in the vale. They are sleeping in the bosom of God. During his illness everything that relatives and neighbors could do was done but the angel of death was the only reliever. Funeral services were conducted at Liberty graveyard Sept. 4th by Rev. Johnson. He delivered a very touching sermon to a very large crowd. Tears filled the eyes of all the attendants as they beheld the orphans that gathered round to take the last look at father. Now, to the bereaved ones I would say, weep not, for your loss is Heaven’s eternal gain. He is at rest and has left this unfriendly world. His home is above and not built by hands. Make preparations to meet him and rejoice of his being with his Savior. While this is a dark hour to you, remember, be still, sad hearts, and cease repining; behind the clouds the sun’s still shining; your fate is the common fate of all; late each life some rain must fall; some days must be dark and dreary. May God be with you is the prayer of Celia Neal.” That is quite an obituary! I don’t know that I’ve ever found a longer, more flowery obituary for any of my ancestors as Celia’s was for John WILLIAMS. Armazinda’s was equally long and flowery. I’d be happy to provide a transcription for hers if anyone wants it. Family, you can never say again that you didn’t have any wealthy ancestors. You’ve heard it from The Houston Herald yourself- John was wealthy, well-respected, and a pillar of the community! That’s your update for this week. I found an error while proofing this post but when I went back in to correct it later I couldn’t find it again, so you get a bonus error (probably more than one, truth be known!) with your blog post! Enjoy your weekend and be sure to come back tomorrow for next week’s schedule.
On this date in 1788, Mary McATEE was born in Maryland. Mary is my paternal 5th great grandmother. Her parents were Samuel and Mary MASSEY McATEE. Mary McATEE married John WEDDING in 1810 in Maryland. I blogged about Mary a couple of years ago here. I’ve told you what I know about Mary in my previous blog post about her. However, last year over Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks I was so fortunate to get to travel to Cincinnati, Ohio and I took side trips (of course!) to Clermont County. One of the places I went to was Calvary Cemetery in Felicity, Clermont County, Ohio. I got to visit John and Mary’s graves for myself. I even got to visit two of their daughters’ graves. It’s one thing to find the grave on the FindAGrave website. It’s quite another to go visit in person, leave flowers, take photographs, and just spend some time reflecting at the gravesite. Here are some of the photos I took while I was there. I hope you all have a great weekend. Enjoy!
John and Mary Wedding’s gravestones.
What’s left of John and Mary WEDDING’s gravestones. You can see that the name ‘Wedding’ is spelled differently on John’s stone.
Matilda WEDDING PADGET and husband William. Matilda is the daughter of John and Mary.
Nackey Ellen Wedding Richards’ gravestone.
Nackey Ellen WEDDING married Thomas RICHARDS. Nackey was the daughter of John and Mary WEDDING.
Felicity Cemetery.
Do you remember Theodore Clay LARKIN (the man with the penchant for baseball bats)? He was buried in the Felicity Cemetery- another cemetery in Felicity. When I went I couldn’t find his grave. I’ve been in touch with another researcher who says she will give me a photograph of his grave. If I receive it I will be sure to share it with you. For now, all I have is this building at the cemetery.
Sarah C. DAVIS is my maternal 2nd great grandmother. She married Nicholas REITER whom I wrote about here. Sarah passed away in February of 1870 in Illinois. Today I’m honoring her life. Sarah was born in July of 1836 in Perry Township, Pike County, Illinois. As far as I know, she never left that area. That area is where she was born, where she lived, and where she died. It’s been difficult to find Sarah in records, in part due to the short duration of her life. In the 1850 census (the first one that included details on each and every person residing in a home), Sarah was only 12 years old and living with her parents. I have not been able to find her at all in the 1860 census and in 1870 she passed away before the census was done. There is an 1865 Illinois state census but it doesn’t list each person in the household. One of the most interesting documents found about Sarah was found by my sister-in-law, Becky. She found three affidavits Sarah gave on behalf of her mother, Rachel, when Rachel was applying for John DAVIS’ military pension (John was Rachel’s husband and Sarah’s dad). Sarah gave affidavits stating that her brothers (Charles D., Alpheus B., and Harvey D.) were the legitimate children of John and Rachel DAVIS and she knew this because she was present at their births. Sarah would have been between 16-20 years old when her brothers were born. THE AFFIDAVITS 58-year-old Rebecca WORK, and 29-year-old Sarah RITER – both residents of Perry Township, Pike County, Illinois – signed an affidavit on 3 May 1867 declaring they were both present at the birth of Charles D. DAVIS (Sarah’s brother) on 31 May 1852.
Affidavit of birth of Charles Davis.
Affidavit regarding the birth of Charles D. DAVIS. Their handwritten portion of the statement is difficult to read. It says they know the information they swore to “from the fact that we were both present at the house of said John F. Davis and in the presence of said mother Rachel Davis at the time the said Charles D. Davis was born.” Rebecca and Sarah signed a second affidavit declaring they were both present at the birth of “Alphis B. Davis” (should be spelled Alpheus) on 17 Apr 1854 stating they knew this information “from being present in the house and in the room when and where said Alpheus B. Davis was born.”
Affidavit of birth of Alpheus Davis.
Affidavit regarding the birth of Alpheus B. DAVIS. Dr. Harvey DUNN Jr. and Sarah A. RITER (both residents of Perry Township, Pike County, Illinois) signed the third affidavit declaring they were both present at the birth of Harvey D. Davis on 4 Mar 1857.
Affidavit of the birth of Harvey Davis.
Affidavit regarding the birth of Harvey D. DAVIS. Their reason for knowing this information was “from being present and assisting when the said Harvey Davis was born into the world.” All three children were sworn to be legitimate children of Corporal John F. and Rachel DAVIS. WAS SHE OR WASN’T SHE? When I read these affidavits I wondered if Sarah might have been a local midwife. I have no proof that she was or that she wasn’t. Another thought crossed my mind. Sarah died from “Consumption”. You’d know that disease better as Tuberculosis. My thought was whether Sarah contracted Tuberculosis while delivering a baby. I don’t know if that’s possible. That’s just the thought that crossed my mind. She was present at the births of her brothers from age 16 until the last recorded sibling of hers was born. She attended these births with another older woman for the 1852 and 1854 births. I have tried researching Rebecca WORK but have not made much progress. My goal was to find out if she was a relative, a local midwife, a good friend, etc.. I can’t answer for any of these possibilities at this point. While researching I did find a biography for Dr. Harvey DUNN, Jr. If you’re interested, you can read it on Google Books in the book, History of Pike County, Illinois or on FindAGrave website. Just an FYI, Rachel (Sarah’s mom) did have another child in 1853- a boy named Jonathon. Because of the wording in the pension paperwork that Rachel filed, I believe that this child died prior to the filing of the pension paperwork. In February of 1870 Sarah died of Tuberculosis. My niece read a book when she was younger entitled, Breathing Room by Marsha Hayles. It’s about a young girl who contracts Tuberculosis and moves to a sanitorium to be cured. Now that I’m thinking about that book, it makes me think that perhaps Sarah was in a sanitorium in 1860 and that’s why I can’t find the family on the census. Isn’t it funny what types of things give us an inspirational idea like that? I think I’ll go research that angle now and maybe see if I can check out that book, too. I’m so thankful for modern medicine. If you’re sick, go to the doctor! There are so many people in your life that would miss you and need you if you were gone. Do it for them if that’s what you need to do. This illness that’s currently going around is nothing to mess with and in Nevada a woman died recently from a Superbug that we have no medicines to treat. Don’t take chances with your health. We need you here!
Stay healthy until next time, Lisa @ Days of Our Lives blog
On this day in 1919, Joseph LARKIN passed away. Joe is my paternal 3rd great grandfather. He is buried in an unmarked grave in the old part of the G.A.R. cemetery in Miami, Ottawa County, Oklahoma.
Portrait of Joseph and Mary (Lane) Larkin.
Joseph LARKIN and his wife, Mary Elizabeth LANE LARKIN. I looked back through my posts to see what I’d already written about him so I didn’t give you duplicate information. I found posts for his wife, some of his children, his parents, one of his siblings…but no post about Joe. He was included in other posts such as in his son William’s post about being a road paver in Tulsa or in his brother’s post about his brother going to prison for murder…things like that. So I decided what I want to tell you about today is Joe’s military service. When Joe enlisted he was in Company K, 59th Ohio Volunteers. Later he would transfer to the 73rd Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Veteran Reserve Corps. The Veteran Reserve Corps, or VRC, was originally called the Invalid Corps and a man would get transferred to the VRC when he was physically unable to go into combat due to illness or injury. The VRC allowed the men to still participate in the war by doing light duty. The 2nd Battalion- Joe’s Battalion- was made up of the men whose disabilities or injuries were more serious- lost limbs or other serious injuries- as opposed to the 1st Battalion which was made up of men whose injuries were relatively slight and who could still handle a musket and march. Joe and the other men in the 2nd Battalion were often employed as cooks, nurses, guards of public buildings, draft enforcers, and orderlies. The VRC soldiers had a unique uniform that is described like this (Wikipedia): Jacket: Made of sky-blue kersey [a fabric that is woven from short-stapled wool and is coarse and ribbed and has a short nap], with dark-blue trimmings; cut like the jacket of the U.S. Cavalry, coming well down on the loins and abdomen. Trousers: Present regulation, sky-blue. Forage cap: Present regulation. They would also occasionally wear a standard dark blue fatigue blouse and their standard forage caps were decorated with the brass infantry horn, and the regimental number and company letter. There are some great VRC uniform photographs at the Civil War Home website. It was four members of the VRC who executed the four conspirators who were linked to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Likewise, it was the men of the VRC who received President Lincoln’s body when it lay in state.
1 May 1865 article from the Cincinnati Enquirer about the Invalid Corps.
I hope that you don’t think the VRC was all roses, though. This is a partial article that talks about a terrible incident involving VRC’s on guard:
28 July 1865 article from The Cincinnati Enquirer about the Invalid Corps.
Stabbed in the eye?! Ouch!!
25 May 1864 article from The Cincinnati Enquirer about the Invalid Corps.
Too riotous for the VRC! Sadly, the VRC soldiers did not receive a lot of respect and were often derogatorily called “The Cripple Brigade”. (University of Massachusetts) I use the term “cripple brigade” here more as a badge of honor for someone who served even though disabled rather than as a derogatory name. There was a popular song during the civil war about the Invalid Corps. I found the initial information on Wikipedia which directed me to the MusicaNet website with the lyrics (see below). A Google search revealed a website where you can download and listen to the tune of the song here. (Scroll down about halfway until you find The Invalid Corps by Frank Wilder.) The song lyrics: I wanted much to go to war, And went to be examined; The surgeon looked me o’er and o’er, My back and chest he hammered. Said he, “You’re not the man for me, Your lungs Are much affected, And likewise both your eyes are cock’d, And otherwise defected.” CHORUS: So, now I’m with the Invalids, And cannot go and fight, sir! The doctor told me so, you know, Of course it must be right, sir! While I was there a host of chaps For reasons were exempted, Old “pursy”, he was laid aside, To pass he had attempted. The doctor said, “I do not like Your corporosity, sir! You’ll “breed a famine” in the camp Wherever you might be, sir!” CHORUS There came a fellow, mighty tall, A “knock-kneed overgrowner”, The Doctor said, “I ain’t got time To take and look you over.” Next came along a little chap, Who was ’bout two foot nothing, The Doctor said, “You’d better go And tell your marm you’re coming!” CHORUS Some had the ticerdolerreou, Some what they call “brown critters”, And some were “lank and lazy” too, Some were too “fond of bitters”. Some had “cork legs” and some “one eye”, With backs deformed and crooked, I’ll bet you’d laugh’d till you had cried, To see how “cute” they looked. CHORUS You can learn more about the VRC here and here (all about the uniforms, including images; really- go here and look, it’s great and if you scroll to the end there is a list of all the reasons a man might be sent to the VRC). I also recommend checking out a Facebook group about the VRC- “American Civil War-Invalid Corps”. I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about this lesser-known group of soldiers. As always, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed telling you about them. I apologize about the delay on the photo of Joe. Please check back in a few days and hopefully I will have found it and added it by then.
I’m postponing Joseph LARKIN’s blog post until tomorrow. Today I’d like to take a day to remember my paternal Grandpa’s (Gene DRAKE’s) sister, Ruby DRAKE WETZEL. She passed away this weekend. Her daughter married into my mom’s family and is my maternal aunt so this affects both sides of my family. Please say a prayer for all of my family.
January is coming to a close. It’s hard to believe. Seems like time goes by faster every year! This week we’re celebrating 2 birthdays and death date on the blog and at home we’re celebrating a grandson’s birthday. Here’s what the schedule looks like: Monday January 30th: On Monday we honor the life of Joseph LARKIN, my paternal 3rd great grandfather. He died on this date in 1919. Friday February 3rd: Today we celebrate the birth date of William DRAKE, yet another of my paternal 3rd great grandfathers. William was born in February but I am not certain of the exact date. For purposes of the blog, we’ll celebrate his birthday today. I start a new job this week so if I can, I will fill in the other days of the week with a story and/or photograph as I’m able. It’s just hard for me to say how the week will go until after tomorrow. If you have a story you’re dying to tell, go ahead and write it down for me and I will publish it with credits to you- or send a photo with a caption and I’ll publish it with credits to you. I always enjoy having guests on the blog. Don’t worry about spelling and grammar- this isn’t a newspaper. It’s just a story telling medium that serves to save our family histories for future generations. Until then, here’s a photograph for the day:
Me with some of my Bates cousins at my grandparents’ home at Christmas time ca 1973-1974.
Bates cousins. Top row left to right: Lisa (me), Clayton, and Terry. Bottom row left to right: Doyle, Tracy, and my brother Cortney.
There is no scheduled blog post today but I do have a mystery for you to solve. Mam (my paternal grandmother, Audrey) gave me a copy of this photo a couple of years before she passed away. The inscription on the back said “Emily Hennig” and was written in cursive and in pencil. It is HENNIG and not Henning. We had a discussion about that name.
Portrait of mystery ancestor, Emily Hennig.
Mam said she thought Emily was a grandmother somewhere back down the line but she couldn’t place the woman in our family history and that’s all Mam knew about her. More than a decade later I still have not been able to identify or place (or exclude) this woman in our family history (although I do have theories about who she is and where she goes on the family tree). If you have the answer, please speak up. I’d love to know about her. Enjoy your Friday and don’t forget to come back here this weekend for the wrap-up on Saturday (it’s going to be a good one) and next week’s schedule which will be posted on Sunday.
Before we get started, I want to share a photo with you and some additional information. First, I don’t think I included Mam’s middle name which is ‘Marguerite’. I thought I had written a blog post about how I think she got the name Marguerite but apparently I just shared that privately with a few people. I will add that to the list of stories to tell on weeks that are slow. Second item: I’ve been looking for this photo for a while and finally found it. This is Mam as a child with her classmates at Poynor School. I have written down somewhere what year it is but when the picture was digitized that information wasn’t included. When I find the information again I’ll be sure to pass it along. I have marked Mam with a red arrow above her head. She’s on the top row on the left side. There are other relatives (DRAKE’s and LARKIN’s) in this photo and I will identify them as I can- again, I need to find the written documentation and the physical photograph in order to pass along that information.
Audrey Larkin with her schoolmates at Poynor School in Delaware County, Oklahoma.
Poynor School students, Delaware County, Oklahoma near the Missouri state line (near Southwest City, McDonald County, Missouri). Today, some stories from those who loved Mam. (If you missed yesterday’s post, go back and read it first here.) Before I pass along these stories though, I want to make a small correction to what I posted yesterday. I made the statement that she raised grandchildren, nephews, and a brother-in-law. I should have been more clear. She helped raise these people. There is one grandson whom she raised and adopted. The other three grandchildren, nephews, and brother-in-law were people who lived with her when other options were not optimal or not available. On to the stories. From her son, Roy: Mom was born, raised and lived with very little in things but was rich in love. Her life was spent working for/in the church and in helping others. She helped raise four children, three nephews, four grandchildren and one brother-in-law; and, became care giver for both her mother and mother-in-law! She was always cooking for someone in need (sick) and taking it to them. She’d clean and wash for them. She always showered them in love. And, these things were acts of love as much as being a good neighbor. She’d take old folks to town and back for groceries. Hers was a life of service. She practiced God’s love and lived it. I don’t know how she did it; and, to the extent that he had time, dad did the same. I have no doubt that her reward in heaven will far exceed mine – and, I suspect, many others. My greatest asset will always be the examples they set for me and the rules they set and enforced. From her grandchildren: Mam was good about writing notes to her grandchildren. Mine and my brother’s notes are packed away but my cousin Angela was able to put her hands on her treasured note from Mam and shared it with us. Thank you, Angie! We each received notes like this but each one was tailored to the specific grandchild so while we all received her standard, timeless advice, the personal notes to each of us were slightly different. In
From her granddaughter, Angela- the note Mam wrote to her:
A handwritten note from my grandmother Audrey (Larkin) Drake to her granddaughter (my cousin), Angela.
My own experiences with Mam: Mam spent so many of her years teaching Sunday School classes to the younger generations. When my children were young and we attended Poynor Baptist Church near Southwest City, McDonald County, Missouri, Mam was still there teaching the little ones. I’m grateful for her life of service, for the lessons she taught me both inside and outside the church, and for the lessons she taught my children. I appreciated her openness. She was always willing to share her own life lessons in order to help teach me ways to confront various situations in my own life. I won’t go into details but she rarely hesitated to give examples of situations from her own life to show how to (or how not to) respond to a particular situation. Like Angie’s note above, Mam was always directing us back to scripture for answers to problems as well and quick to remind us that maybe we needed to pray about a problem. Any time I had questions to ask, she was willing to take the time to answer them and if my behavior got a little off track she wasn’t afraid to set me straight even if I didn’t appreciate it at the time. Thank you to those of you who shared some stories with me and if I missed anyone’s story please message me and let me know so I can include it in the weekend wrap up.
This is going to be a two-part series with the shorter part being today. Yesterday was full of emergencies, car repairs, computer repairs that didn’t fix the problem, internet issues, more sickness…you get the picture. So today I will basically introduce Audrey (“Mam”) as a helping person and will continue with more stories on Wednesday. Yesterday was Audrey’s birthday. Audrey is my paternal grandmother. I think I miss my grandmas more and more as I grow older.
Audrey (Larkin) Drake, November 1956 in Texas (probably Amarillo).
A photo of Audrey about 4 years before the newspaper article below was written. I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to take with this blog post until I found this article yesterday on Newspapers.com:
9 November 1960 article in the Miami Daily News Record (Miami, Oklahoma) about Audrey (Larkin) Drake and her father-in-law Ervin “Alonzo” Drake.
Wednesday, 9 Nov 1960, Miami (Oklahoma) Daily News-Record Mam (Audrey) always was a helper. She raised her four children but then she also raised four grandchildren, three nephews, and a brother-in-law. I knew about her grandchildren living with her- they were my cousins and one of the reasons I enjoyed going to Mam’s house often. I had no idea that she had raised three nephews and a brother-in-law, though. So there is a lot to find out about Mam and all the ways she helped people. I’m still gathering stories if you’d like to send me yours. I apologize for the brevity of this post but real life gets in the way sometimes. I promise to deliver lots of stories on Wednesday to go with this theme and the newspaper article I found. I’m looking forward to it. I hope you are as well. (On Wednesday I was planning to tell you about new information I’ve received on people I’ve blogged about in the past. That will be pushed back to later in the week- maybe Friday.)
