Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 31 - July 24-30, 1937

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 31 - July 24-30, 1937

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school. During the latter half of 2011, commented weekly on these entries.
For 1937, I am transcribing the daily entries, currently, at The KINNICK Project surname blog.

In this weekly blog post, I will make summary comments and observations, and perhaps add a photo, from time to time. Starting here with Week 10, I am switching to the week ending on Friday.
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 9 years old. Pete Smith is her 'boy friend' - fourth month starting Jan 1 (they do marry, in Mar 1938).

Week 31 (July 24-30): This week, Eileen began her new job at the new Municipal Light Plant in Coon Rapids, Iowa. Her first job was to do the monthly billing. One of her co-workers she refers to as Verna. One of the plant operators was Leo Watrous. In reviewing some Coon Rapids Enterprise issues from 1987 this week, I came across an article in the 50 Years Ago column of the March 5, 1987 issue that said:
"Miss Verna Watrous entertained a number of friends at bridge in her home, then took her guests to the Textor Cafe for lunch." Is it safe to assume this is the same Verna?

From the 1930 U.S. Census for Coon Rapids, Iowa:
Leo Watrous 40 Clara Watrous 41 Verna Watrous 13 Lyle Watrous 10 Neva Watrous 9 Cleo Watrous 9
Looks like the right family!  ;-)


In the 50 Years Ago column of the December 25, 1986, Coon Rapids Enterprise is the following:
"In a pretty wedding at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Willow township, Miss Maxine Smith, daughter of William Smith, became the bride of Orrin Hilgenberg, son of Mr. and Mrs. A.V. Hilgenberg."


I look forward to your comments!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - Blacksmith Michael Schmidt - 1850 St. Louis

Treasure Chest Thursday

Blacksmith Michael Schmidt, Age 21

1850 St. Louis

This document follows the 1845 List of Passengers from New Orleans posted last Wednesday showing my Great-Grandfather Michael Smith (several spelling variants), age 16, arriving in America from France destined for Missouri.

Arrion (my daughter) located an 1850 (dated 14 Aug) U.S. Census record for 5th Ward St. Louis City, St. Louis County, Missouri, with Michael Schmidt, 21, Blacksmith, born in France, in the home of Blacksmith Phillip Langenboker, $2000 Real Estate owned, 28, with his wife, Sophia, 24 (both born Germany), and son, Phillip, born in Missouri. Also in the household in addition to Michael were 3 other 20-something young men (a Blacksmith, a Wagonmaster, a Stone Cutter) from Germany and a 20-year old female, also born in Germany.

Eleven or so years later (5 Sep 1961), Michael enlisted in the Union Army from Davenport, Iowa, as a farrier (blacksmith) and served in that capacity for 3+ years with the 2nd Regiment, Iowa Cavalry.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Paul, Paul and Pete - 6 Nov 1960

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Paul, Paul and Pete - 6 Nov 1960

This is 'piece of a slide' - the slide film processor mounted it in the cardboard slide - but it was at the tail end of a film... and this is all there was of the photo. I thank them, so much, for doing it. I went ahead and scanned the slide because of the content. This is, from left, my maternal grandfather, Paul Kinnick, my youngest brother, Paul Smith (guess who he was named for...) and my Dad, Pete Smith. It is too good a photo to 'throw away' - but what do you do with it? You post it on your blog, of course!  ;-) [Bet this is the only existing photo of just these three guys, alone, together! ;-)]


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 30 - July 17-23, 1937

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 30 - July 17-23, 1937

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school. During the latter half of 2011, commented weekly on these entries.
For 1937, I am transcribing the daily entries, currently, at The KINNICK Project surname blog.

In this weekly blog post, I will make summary comments and observations, and perhaps add a photo, from time to time. Starting here with Week 10, I am switching to the week ending on Friday.
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 9 years old. Pete Smith is her 'boy friend' - fourth month starting Jan 1 (they do marry, in Mar 1938).

Week 30 (July 17-23): The Lyric Theater in Coon Rapids, Iowa, played a big role in the lives of Eileen and her family. It was noted earlier there had been changes - here is the story, in more detail:

More on the Lyric Theater reopening! In the 19 Jul 2012 Coon Rapids Enterprise, page 4:

75 Years Ago
July 9, 1937

After a six week vacation, the movie stars are coming back to Coon Rapids again tonight. If you come to the Lyric Theatre on its grand opening night, you will see and hear Olivia DeHaviliand, Dolan Young, Alice Brady, and all of the other stars in “Call it a Day” or if you prefer music, you can see Dick Powell and a supporting cast in Irving Berlin’s “On the Avenue” on Sunday. The occasion for these special attractions is the grand opening of the new Lyric Theatre and its new everything has been rebuilt except for the entrance. The building has been raised to practically two stories in height, the screen has been raised a full six feet so that no one in the audience will need to stretch his neck. The inside of the room has all been repainted and re-decorated, a new ventilation and cooling system has been installed, more than 200 new cushioned seats have been installed, and a complete new sound system has been built. The projection rooms are now located higher in the building and are much larger and better built and the machines themselves have been reconditioned and placed to
better advantage. In fact the Lyric is a new theatre with the exception of the front door. Manager Floyd Rafferty and his mother have every reason to be proud of their new theatre building and are to be congratulated on their enterprise in giving the people of this community a better show house and better pictures. Business men of the town are happy over the improvement for they realize a good movie house is an asset to any live town as it gives a service to the people of the community, now practically demanded of any live and progressive town. They demonstrate their approval in a full page congratulatory ad in this issue. The Enterprise joins in congratulating the owners of the Lyric.


I look forward to your comments!


Families are Forever!  ;-)

My Hometown on Monday - 1936 Aerial View of Coon Rapids, Iowa

My Hometown on Monday

1936 Aerial View of Coon Rapids, Iowa

[Click Once to see enlarged view]

From June 11, 2009, Coon Rapids Enterprise

Caption reads: Back in 1936, this is how Garst & Thomas seed company looked from the air. This photo was taken by Woltz Studios of Des Moines. The scale house had not yet been built and much of the open areas appear to be backyard garden spots. Perhaps they were test plots for the young and growing hybrid seed company. Other items of note in this photo show the old wooden Enterprise building where in 1948, Louis Frohlich built a new grocery store and the Enterprise moved to its present location.

My comments: Each of us looks for different things in these vintage photos, of course. For me, the most interesting part was just off the photo to the right, in the extension of the boulevard Main Street... On the south side of the street, if I am correct, was the home of Dr. Dorphinghaus, and next east of it was the Paul Kinnick residence for many years. I believe youngest son, Edward (Buzzy), was born there. They lived in that home until mid-year 1936 (the year Eileen graduated from high school) when they moved to the farm just a mile or so northwest of town.

The Methodist Church is prominent, of course, just to the right of white, wooden Enterprise office building mentioned above (just right of upper center).

What do you see as you look at the photo? What memories does it invoke in you?

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - Joseph Schmidt family in St. Louis

Treasure Chest Thursday - Joseph Schmidt family in St. Louis

Following on yesterday's find from New Orleans, Arrion realized the Schmidt family was destined for Missouri, rather than the Quad Cities, where we knew they lived later.

She found the following in the 1850 U.S. Census in a township just outside the then St. Louis City.

[5 years after their 1845 Ship arrival - the ages match (except for apparent error in Joseph)]

This 1850 U.S. Census record for Carondelet Township (I found a great map of Carondelt Twp - see below), St. Louis County, Missouri: Joseph Schmidt family, he age 58 (we believe this is 10 years off, based on further analysis), Birth Year, about 1792, Germany, with family:

Beatrice Schmidt, 45; Michael Schmidt, 21; Caroline Schmidt, 15; Beatrice Schmidt, 11; Dorothea Schmidt, 9; Valentine Schmidt, 4, born in Missouri (a key factor in identifying the family through the years, it turns out). These match up nicely with the List of Passengers shared yesterday.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - New Orleans 1845 Ship Arrival

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - New Orleans 1845 Ship Arrival

A number of blogs have recently discussed the 'next generation' of genealogists.

I'll use this post to note that my daughter, Arrion, has taken the lead on our most recent

research on my great-grandfather, Michael Smith (1829-1902).

Here, she found the List of Passengers for their arrival in New Orleans, aboard the Ship Raritan,

from LeHavre, France, in 1845.

Arrion discovered an 1845 List of Passengers coming into New Orleans from France, the Ship Raritan, that appears to be members of our family on it:

12 Joseph Schmith        42     m    Farmer    France    Missouri
13 Catharine George    38    f    Farmer    France    Missouri
14 Patrise Schmith        29    m    Farmer    France    Missouri
15 Michel Schmith        16    m    Farmer    France    Missouri
16 Caroline Schmith    13    f    Farmer    France    Missouri
17 Peatrix Schmith        6    m    Farmer    France    Missouri
18 Dorthea Schmith    3    f    Farmer    France    Missouri

Notes: Number on left is a passenger number in order; name; age; sex; Occupation; Country to whom they belong; Country of which they intend to become inhabitants.
For 14, first name is difficult to read; similarly, for 17, first name, first letter matches with P - but it is likely B, based on 1860 census info, as well as female rather than male.
Similar, is 14 actually a convoluted reporting of Beatrix - Joseph's wife? We'll see.
Was Catharine a sister of Joseph or of Beatrix? Always more questions, as some answers are found!

Note: The last name is variously spelled as: Schmith, Schmitt, Schmidt, Smith

P.S. Arrion and her husband will be visiting Europe, later this year, on their annual visit due to his work meetings. She is planning to visit the area where Michael was born, and is investigating the whole family and surroundings in preparation for that trip. Neat, huh?!  ;-)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 29 - July 10-16, 1937

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 29 - July 10-16, 1937

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school. During the latter half of 2011, commented weekly on these entries.
For 1937, I am transcribing the daily entries, currently, at The KINNICK Project surname blog.

In this weekly blog post, I will make summary comments and observations, and perhaps add a photo, from time to time. Starting here with Week 10, I am switching to the week ending on Friday.
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 9 years old. Pete Smith is her 'boy friend' - fourth month starting Jan 1 (they do marry, in Mar 1938).

Week 29 (July 10-16): At the end of the entry for Wednesday, July 14, she quotes Pete as having said to her: "You know I should be getting you an engagement ring." Neat, huh? For sure, it is time.

From the Coon Rapids Enterprise, Thursday, July 12, 2012, page 4:
75 Years Ago for July 2, 1937:

"In another week, movie fans, you will be able to attend your home town theater again. The extensive remodeling of the Lyric theater building and equipment is rapidly nearing completions. Coon Rapids will soon have a show house which will be a credit to the community."


I look forward to your comments!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday Obituary - Betty Thomas

Betty Thomas

April 14, 1917 - July 7, 2012

Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Thomas, the daughter of John Raymond Tumbleson and Nellie Cord Tumbleson, was born April 14, 1917, at her grandparent’s home in Danbury, Iowa. As Betty’s father was a Methodist minister, the family moved frequently. The family lived in Sac City, LeMars, and Clear Lake while she was growing up. Betty graduated from LeMars High School in 1935. Following graduation, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics from Iowa State University.

Following graduation from Iowa State University, she moved to Coon Rapids in 1940 to teach Home Economics. While teaching in Coon Rapids, she met Wesley Thomas. They were united in marriage by Betty’s father on October 27, 1945, in Sherman Oaks, California. Two sons were born to this union. Following Wes’s service in the Navy, they returned to Coon Rapids in 1946.

Betty was very active in the Methodist Church, serving on many committees, women’s groups and singing in the choir. Her sons remember her as being a wonderful mother, a super cook and a very avid reader. She was a member of PEO, the Eastern Star and First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids.

Betty was able to remain active and in her own home up until about a month before her death. She died at the Thomas Rest Haven nursing home in Coon Rapids, IA, on Saturday, July 7, 2012. She was 95 years, 2 months and 23 days of age.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Wes Thomas in 2002; a sister, Margaret Pennell; two brothers, Raymond and Mark Tumbleson; and a daughter-in-law, Norene Thomas.

She is survived by her two sons, John Thomas (and his companion Leneice Wu) of Falls Church, Virginia and Mark Thomas (and his wife Jacci) of Coon Rapids, Iowa; grandchildren, Mark Thomas (and his wife Claire) of Annandale, Virginia (and their daughter, Phoebe); Charles Thomas of Falls Church, Virginia, and Helen “Nelli” Thomas, of Marquette, Michigan; sisters-in-law, Barbara Tumbleson of Camarillo, California, and May Opperman of Beloit, Wisconsin, several nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends.

[Source: http://ohdefuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/OhdeFu1/obit.cgi?user=659612Thomas
extracted 12 Jul 2012 - Photo also from this page. Thanks to Ruth Ohde and family.]

Related Blog Posts: Wednesday, July 11, and Saturday, July 14


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Those Places Thursday - 7116 Townsend, Urbandale, Iowa

Those Places Thursday - 7116 Townsend, Urbandale, Iowa

We moved into this house in the Fall of 1970, as the first occupants. This photo was taken just a few years ago. We added the deck on the front - a new concept, at the time - by the time we left, in Summer 1983, there were 'front decks' all over town! The trees were not there when we lived there.

This is a copy of the photo Allison took this year, 2012, on her 4th of July, 30th Urbandale High School Class Reunion trip. Thanks, Allison! Both the house and the neighborhood seem to be showing some deterioration, sadly.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

RIP - Betty (Mrs. Wes) Thomas - 7 July 2012

RIP - Betty (Mrs. Wes) Thomas - 7 July 2012

Wes was my mother-in-law's brother - so they were aunt and uncle, very close family through the years. They leave two sons (John and Mark), and their families. We will be attending the funeral today (Wednesday) in Coon Rapids, Iowa. She was 95 years young and led a very full life.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 28 - July 3-9, 1937

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 28 - July 3-9, 1937

My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school. During the latter half of 2011, commented weekly on these entries.
For 1937, I am transcribing the daily entries, currently, at The KINNICK Project surname blog.

In this weekly blog post, I will make summary comments and observations, and perhaps add a photo, from time to time. Starting here with Week 10, I am switching to the week ending on Friday.
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 9 years old. Pete Smith is her 'boy friend' - fourth month starting Jan 1 (they do marry, in Mar 1938).

Week 28 (July 3-9): This week was really a good string of 'typical summer days' including the 4th of July holidays (extended to Monday since the 4th was on Sunday) - Fried chicken, picnics, Band Concert in the park, All-Star Baseball Game on the radio, lemonade and cake for fellows making hay at home, and making hay with the neighbors! Perhaps things have not changed so much in 75 years as we sometimes think!  ;-)

And, in 2012, the record heat has been broken. How long will it last?


I look forward to your comments!

Families are Forever!  ;-)

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Follow Friday - Week 27

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Follow Friday - Week 27


If I understand what Amy Coffin is suggesting in her 2012 52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy, I believe I can follow these prompts and use them much as I have been posting of Fridays, the past years. Let's give it a try.



Week 27: Genealogy Publications. Genealogy publications are great for education and entertainment. Which one is your favorite? Who is the publisher? Why do you like this publication? How has it enhanced your own family history experience? Share any details you want potential readers to know about including features, articles, style, etc.

This week’s prompt runs from Sunday, July 1 through Saturday, July 7, 2012.

I'm going to mention "most likely" the first genealogy book my wife and I bought when we decided to 'get serious' about our genealogy research - it is copyright 1989!

Unpuzzling Your Past: A Basic Guide to Genealogy, Second Edition, by Emily Anne Croom, Better Way Books.

We still refer to it, from time to time, as recently as last week, when I wanted to see a 'form' I knew is always there for reference. We now have literally hundreds of genealogy related books on our shelves, but this is "old reliable!"

You asked, that is my answer!  ;-) Thanks, Emily! ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Those Places Thursday - 4404-71st Street, Urbandale, Iowa

Those Places Thursday - 4404-71st Street, Urbandale, Iowa

[This photo was taken a number of years after we lived there]

In the backyard, Arrion was growing up...

And, again...

And, here is the family inside the house, with my youngest brother, Paul

Oct 1969-Fall 1970

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Happy 4th of July

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Happy 4th of July

[Undated photo at Silver Dollar City-

patriotic decorations]

Nancy loves to visit Silver Dollar City - awaiting a nice day to visit again!  ;-)


Added the following since it came out well, after putting out the flag, Monday:

 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 27 - June 26-July 2, 1937

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 27 - June 26-July 2, 1937


My mother, Eileen KINNICK (maiden name), kept a diary from 1932 until her death in 1999. In Feb 2005, I created a website of her 1936 diary, the year she graduated from high school. During the latter half of 2011, commented weekly on these entries.
For 1937, I am transcribing the daily entries, currently, at The KINNICK Project surname blog.

In this weekly blog post, I will make summary comments and observations, and perhaps add a photo, from time to time. Starting here with Week 10, I am switching to the week ending on Friday.
Setting: The family lived in a farmhouse a couple of miles out of town (Coon Rapids, Iowa). Older brother, Leo, lived at home; his girl friend, later wife, Ida, visited regularly. Younger brother, Buzzy (she often wrote Bussy) was 9 years old. Pete Smith is her 'boy friend' - fourth month starting Jan 1 (they do marry, in Mar 1938).

Week 27 (June 26-July 2): After finishing last week at a Friday night dance with the Lawrence Welk dance band, in Carroll, this was a pretty quite week, concluded with another Friday night dance outing.

Picking Mulberries was the other highlight, for me!  ;-)


I look forward to your comments!


Families are Forever!  ;-)

President of the USA - Thank you!

President of the USA - Thank you!

Families are Forever! ;-)

Sharing Memories on Sunday - Urbandale Early Days

Sharing Memories on Sunday - Urbandale Early Days

In the last entry in this series, on May 13, we had just arrived in Urbandale from West Branch, on Halloween, 1969. Annette was 9, Allison was 5 and a half, Arrion was barely five weeks old. Nancy and I had just turned 30. My new job was with the new Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. Management Consulting firm.

Here is my work description that I included on my resume in later years: "Consulting engagements for various clients included design of complete accounting system for large-scale commercial egg-laying operation, operational review for wholesaler, personnel study including salary survey and 100 job description write-ups for major hospital." Great experiences. The down-side was that between these great consulting assignments, they would send me out on audits - I did not sign up to be an auditor/accountant for the CPA firm. I signed up to be a management consultant, but their marketing was inadequate to keep us in consulting jobs. When it came time for my six months review, I was expecting to be patted on the back for 'jobs well done' and given a raise. Instead, I was told: "We don't think you like working here anymore…" and was released with notice. Shocker. [Note: Within a year or two, they shut down the Des Moines consulting business and reverted back to doing that work out of the Chicago office, like they had done, before.]

Within a week or so, I had a new position (again, according to a later resume), just down the street from my consulting position: Special Project Assistant to the Vice-President (Operations Manager) Cowles Communications, Inc., LOOK Magazine Subscription Division, Cowles Marketing and Data Center, Des Moines, Iowa (Starting in June 1970). Job description: Revised internal accounting system to provide departmental responsibility cost reporting; reviewed monthly statements with responsible operating managers; assisted in budgeting and forecasting; reviewed operational procedures. [My blunt assessment when I arrived in this operation, based on my experiences as a GE Auditor and with Peat Marwick - this operation was fat, dumb and happy - totally unsustainable personnel and accounting practices. Every manager had two secretaries; no cost control whatsoever. They had been making money hand-over-fist for so long, they didn't seem to notice. But, times were changing. The operations manager, my boss, knew this, and asked me for help. I did what I could, as noted above.]

During this first year in Des Moines, I also resumed work on my Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) at night school. I had taken 12 hours in Louisville, but only 6 were allowed to transfer to Drake University. In addition to the Master's level course requirements, I also took all of the undergraduate accounting course required to be eligible to sit for the Iowa CPA Exam. [I seemed to be the first to do this at Drake; now days, this is routinely done at many schools and called something like: MBA with an Accounting Concentration/Emphasis]. In addition, we became active in the Aldersgate United Methodist Church, where I served on the Committee on Finance for two years. I became active in the Urbandale Lions Club. The first summer I became involved with the organization of the Urbandale Girls Softball League (Annette was eligible to play as a nine year old) and I served as a member of the Board of Directors, Secretary of the Board and Manager of a team (the first of 13 consecutive years). [In prior years, one guy had tried to run the summer program himself - he did a fine job, but as the program had grown, he knew he was over his head, and recommended the reorganization, about the time I arrived. I was pleased to become one of a half-dozen or so Dads to become totally immersed in the operation for a few years - I had three daughters, after all!]

To be continued…