Ancestor Artifact - 29 The Star - Part 3

 

Ancestor Artifact - 29 The Star - Part 3

As Promised: The lone Eighth Grader - “LeVerne Smith - “Pete””

Photo obviously take of him back on the farm.

The right side of the image includes:

“MOTTO
Work

COLORS
Rose and Gray

FLOWER
Red Rose”

These next two pages are all writing… on the left:

“Eighth Grade Class History

In the fall of 1920 Arley Brown and Carl Raygor started to school. LeVerne Smith, coming from Union No.6, entered the class in September 1921. In the spring of 1922 one member dropped out - another the following spring. This left LeVerne alone in the class. It has remained so up to the present time.
- LeVerne Smith”

On the right:

“Class Prophesy

I had been in Europe for sometime and had not heard much about the sports of U.S. When I boarded the steamer bound for home, I picked up a sports sheet of a newspaper. I was astonished when I read across the top of the page - “LeVerne Smith is Champion Batter for this Season.” Reading farther down on the page I learned that he had made fifty home runs and that his batting helped the Des Moines Giants very much in winning the National Championship.
I was pleased to know he had made a success of his favorite sport. I recalled how well he liked to play baseball at recess and noon when we went to the Star School together. I laughed to myself as I also recalled how he used to pull my hair and stick his pencil in the back of my neck when we were in primary grades - which usually resulted in my turning around and slapping his face.
- Ruth Thomas”

The left side of the next image has a poem…

’Tis Evening

The sun is setting in the west,
The birdies are going to rest;
Flowers are nodding their dainty heads,
Children are being tucked in their beds;
For ———— ’tis evening.
- Ruth Thomas”

The right side simply says: SEVENTH GRADE

We won’t keep you waiting this time…

On the right side, it says:

“Class Roll

Ethel Johnston - “Sis”

Ruth Thomas - “Ruthie””

On the left side:

 

Ruth is sitting in the swing, with Ethel beside her, with the glasses.

“MOTTO
 Work hard; pray hard; play hard.
-Herbert Hoover

COLORS
Gold and White

Flower
Daisy”

Next comes, on the left:

“Seventh Grade Class History

In the year of 1922 when this class first started there were two members - Maxine Smith and Ruth Thomas. One dropped out in the year of 1923. Clydola Oliver entered the class that same spring.
Arlen Brown came into the class in the first grade.
Maureen Doran joined the class in 1925. Clydola Oliver moved away that spring. Ethel Johnston came from Churn, Iowa, and took her place.
Maureen Doran left the class and entered the Annunciation School in Coon Rapids in the winter of 1926. One more dropped out the following spring.
Maureen Doran came back again in the sixth grade.
When school started in Sept. 1928 Ruth Thomas and Ethel Johnston were the only ones in the seventh grad and are at the present time.
- Ethel Johnston”

The right side of the page says “SIXTH GRADE” but we’ll stop here for Part 3

See you down the road… ;-)

 

Ancestor Artifact - 29 The Star - Part 2

 

Ancestor Artifact - 29 The Star - Part 2

Part 2 begins with “A History of the School” and two neat photos. The top photo is the school, of course.

Click to see larger version

The bottom photo has all 28 students lined up at the rear of the school (the school faced to the east, toward the road.) (A road also ran along the north side of the school, the Star Church being right across that road from the school.)

I can identify my Dad, Pete Smith, sitting right in the middle of the class. I believe Ruth Thomas is just to the right of him, as we look at the photo. We’ll get a better look at most of the students in later photos.

“A History of Our School

The first schoolhouse which was built in 1882 burned in March 1924. The following summer a new building was erected. It was much more modern, with a basement, furnace and separate cloakrooms.
In 1925 through the cooperation of the patrons and under the supervision of Clara Christy our school became standardized. With our state money we have purchased a great many things for the school, such as - shades, oil stove, pictures, Kindergarten table, chairs, playground slide, as well as numberous (sic) other equipment and supplies.
The schoolroom, size 24 ft. x 24 ft. has a window space of 126 sq. ft. on the south, 88 sq. ft. of blackboard, bulletin board 8 ft. x 4 ft., storage cupboard, library and lunch cupboard.
The basement has a furnace room, kitchenette, manual training shop and play room.
- Ruth Thomas”

The next pages simply say “DIRECTOR William Smith” with his photo.

This photo was taken on the south side of his farmhouse. My grandfather, William Smith.

The left side of the next image features the Editors of The Star, with a photo of them:

“STAR
Edited and published by
the teacher, sixth, seventh and eight grades.
First S.S. Annual”

NOTE: It does say "First Star School Annual" - wonder if there are more out there for 1930 and later?

In the photo, back row, from left: Ruth Thomas, Clara Christy, Pete Smith, Arley Brown;
front row, from left, Maxine Smith, Ethel Johnson, Helen Thomas ( we’ll see them in grade photos)

Below the photo is the list of Editor names:

“Editors
Clara Christy
LeVerne Smith
Ethel Johnston
Ruth Thomas
Arlen Brown
Maxine Smith
Helen Thomas”

The right side of the image says, “EIGHTH GRADE” - but we need to turn the page to see him!

Next time, in Part 3


Families are Forever! ;-)

4 Jul 1946 Smith Family Gathering

 

4 Jul 1946 Smith Family Gathering

Look what I found! Hidden in a corner not recently explored!!

We earlier saw the group in 1923 and in 1955. Here is 1946 with some missing parts here, others missing here… what fun!

From left, adults: Verle and LVene (Smith) Thomas, Merle and Pauline (Polly) (Smith) Bower, Irene Smith, Pete Smith (Eileen was taking this photo) and Maxine (Smith) Hilgenberg (camera in hand!).
Children, from left: Judy Hilgenberg, Bill Smith (back), Joyce Bower (front), Jim Smith (on hobby horse), David Thomas (back), John Thomas (front, on chair), Joan Bower.

We gathered at Verle and LVene’s place on July 4 several years during late 40s, early 50s. This may have been the first one, with Merle and Polly visiting from California. So glad I found this one!! ;-)


Families are Forever! ;-)

Smith Siblings - Dad’s - at the Homeplace

 

Smith Siblings - Dad’s - at the Homeplace

Yesterday I wrote about the Homeplace - my Dad’s childhood farm and family in the 1920s. Let’s bring them forward to Sept, 1955, for a family gathering, Thanksgiving, I think, at the Homeplace, now occupied by oldest brother, Toots, and his wife Mary.

From the left, Irene, Toots, Betty, Pete, Max, and LVene

 

Here it gets a little more complicated…
Back Row, from left: Toots, Orrin Hilgenberg (Max), Warren Pierce (Betty), Verle Thomas (LVene), Pete.
Middle Row, from left: 2 cousins??, LVene, Eileen (Mom)
Front Row, from left: Max, Mary, Irene, Betty

Missing a few kids, but here we were:
Back Row, from left: David Thomas, Bill Smith, Becky Pierce, Gary Hilgenberg holding her.
Middle Row, from left, John Thomas, Tom (T.K.) Smith
Seated, from left: Dan Smith, Margaret Smith, Jim Smith

This fits in with the stories of my ‘childhood,’ too, of course. Here I would have recently had my 16th birthday, early in Junior Year of High School. Gary was a year older, therefore a Senior. David (Dave) was two years younger, therefore a Freshman. We are missing Gary’s sister, Judy (later Judi), a Sophomore. Also, my brother Barry would have been 2, is not in the picture. We all went to Coon Rapids to school at this time.

As I recall, this group got together on holidays for a few years, then didn’t. Still, all family, all the time.


Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Sept 1955 Smith Family Gathering

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Sept 1955 Smith Family Gathering

All of the adults at the Smith Family Gathering.

Back row, from left: Toots, Orrin, Warren, Verle, Pete - my Dad, almost 40

Middle row, from left: (Is this Lyman Smith and wife?), LVene, Eileen - my Mom

Seated front, from left: Max, Mary, Irene, Betty

Just the Smith siblings - brothers and sister - in this one;

From left: Irene, Toots, Betty, Pete, Max, LVene

And, the Smith kids:

Back row, from left: Dave Thomas, Bill Smith (me), Gary Hilgenberg
Middle row, from left: John Tomas, Tom Smith, Becki Pierce
Front row, from left: Dan Smith, Margaret Smith, Jim Smith

Approaching 60 years ago... Coon Rapids, Iowa.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Smith Men and Women - 24 Aug 1941

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Smith Men and Women

24 Aug 1941

A 1941 Smith family gathering at the Smith 'Homeplace' - occasion was visit from Nebraska of Charles and Elsie (Smith) Grapes. She was sister of William Emanuel Smith, my grandfather (he had died a couple of years before). Another sister, Lena (Smith) Brown, who lived in nearby Scranton, Iowa, was there as well.

Women: Maxine holding daughter, Judy, Elsie, Lena, Eileen (my Mom), LVene, Irene, Betty (Bethene).

Men: Orrin Hilgenberg (Maxine), me (little Billie, age 2+) and my Dad, Leverne (better known as Pete), Charles Grapes, Willard (still single then), Verle Thomas (LVene).

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sunday Obituaries - Orrin Hilgenberg, 100

Sunday Obituaries

Orrin Hilgenberg

This photo was taken from Max and Orrin's 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration. I published the Obit for Max and last week my photo with Orrin.

Here is his official obit:

Orrin Hilgenberg, 100, passed away July 14. He was born March 19,1913, in rural Coon Rapids, Iowa, to Albert and Emma (Walthers ) Hilgenberg.
By 12, he was helping his dad with farming, using teams of horses. He continued farming for more than 50 years, graduating to the latest farm machinery. Later he added a second career with Hilgenberg Trucking, running up to four trucks in five states.
Orrin married Maxine Smith Dec. 16,1936, at Trinity Lutheran Church that his grandfather helped build. They were married 75 years before Max passed away in April 2012. They had three children, Gary (1938-2005), Judith, and Mike; seven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.
Orrin's means of transportation again started with his horse, Sparky, then Model T Ford, various cars mostly Fords, including stock cars he raced on local Iowa tracks. He was a member of NASCAR, joining the first year 1948. He had Ford trucks in his business, rode motorcycles and got his pilot's license in 1944 and built Hilgenberg Airport on his farm to house his two-seater airplane. He and Max loved taking short rides with the full moon and take longer trips to Illinois or South Dakota.
In 1980, Orrin and Max moved to Lake Havasu City. At age 75 Orrin started golfing with the men's club at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. His best year he made a hole-in-one two times. Next he took up bocce ball as a member of the M-W-F group. He loved the game and friends he made playing at Rotary Park.
In his 90s, he took on a new role, helping to care for Maxine. He in turn was grateful to the Havasu Mission of Love at Mt. Olive for the numerous times they helped with outside work. He looked forward to the weekly visits from Mt Olive members/friends.
A memorial service will be at Mt.Olive Lutheran Church July 27 at 2 p.m., with an ice cream reception to follow.
Arrangements are under the care of Lake Havasu Mortuary and Crematory.

[Source:
http://www.havasunews.com/obituaries/orrin-hilgenberg/article_16ab16ba-f192-11e2-b23c-0019bb2963f4.html ]




Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday - Uncle Orrin Hilgenberg

Wordless (nearly) Wednesday

Uncle Orrin Hilgenberg

1 Jun 1985, Orrin and Bill, in California

 I think this is the last time, or next to last time, that I spent time with Orrin. He passed away on 14 Jul 2013, at the age of 100 years and about 5 months. My hat is off to him. He continued to be active nearly until the very end. He and his wife, Max (my Dad's sister), had celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary before she passed away about 15 months ago. 

Notice, above, left, he is telling an animated story. That was Orrin. Full of life. They lived across the road from our farm, for a number of years, in Iowa, when I was growing up there, before they moved to Arizona. He was a Flying Farmer, with his own plane (for a time) and rode motorcycles.

For these many years, now, this is the image that came to my mind when I thought of him... and it always will be.

Families are Forever! ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Smith Family Gathering Summer 1970

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

Smith Family Gathering Summer 1970

I've been systematically scanning every slide I took in the 1970s - late to early, now into the summer and fall of 1970. These three are from a visit to my parental Smith farm home, "on the Porch" - for a gathering of members of my Dad's family. It is rare when I cannot identify everyone, but I do need some help on these. I can guess (because there are only so many cousins to choose from), but I'd appreciate help from my faithful readers, in the comments, please.

My three daughers are in blue, with necklace and light pink and yellow (on the right, below). I wonder if a couple are from CA, since their grandparents are below.

Are the boys the Pierce boys? Wrong ages, I think? Don't think their parents or sister are here, which has me confused.

Back two rows, from the left, Bill (me), Max, Mike, Orrin, Arrion, Eileen, Nancy, Jim, Pauline, Gwen, Merl, Tom, Pete, Paul.

And, I really cannot tell 'who is missing' to be taking the photos, on my camera, since I am in the one immediately above. Thanks for any assistance.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

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!  ;-)

Sunday's Obituary - Maxine (Smith) Hilgenberg (1917-2012)

Sunday's Obituary - Maxine (Smith) Hilgenberg (1917-2012)

Last Thursday, I posted a 1954 photo of the Smith siblings, including Max and my Dad:

[Max in center, darker dress]

Max and Orrin had been married 75 years as of last December 16, 2011.

Here were Max and Orrin on their 50th Anniversary.

Here is a recent photo of Max (top of page) with the death notice published in Lake Havasu City News.



Here is the Obituary:

E. Maxine Hilgenberg, 94, passed away in Lake Havasu City, AZ. on April 17, 2012. She was born on October 18, 1917 in rural Coon Rapids, IA. to William and Ellen "Ella" (Preston) Smith.

Maxine married Orrin Hilgenberg on December 16, 1936 at the Trinity Lutheran Church. In the first year of their marriage, Maxine would get up at 5:00 AM with Orrin and went with him to pick corn by hand. As a wife and mother, Maxine would do whatever needed to be done, even to cultivate corn, bail hay and milk cows. She and Orrin owned Hilgenberg Trucking Company where she managed the home office, keeping all the books, payroll and licenses in surrounding states for up to four trucks.

Maxine was involved in many activities, including County Extension work, 4-H club, Cub Scouts, committees at Trinity Lutheran Church and later Ascension Lutheran Church in Coon Rapids. When living in Lake Havasu, Maxine was involved at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. She was on a bowling league for several years and loved her Garden Club. She was an expert in flower arranging and would enter contests over many years at the Four County Fair, winning numerous awards. They loved to have visitors and travel to see their children in California and Hawaii. Besides traveling, Maxine collected cookbooks and loved finding recipes in the paper. Cooking and crafts kept her busy until 2003, when she lost her eye sight.

Maxine is remembered for being a friend and having a wonderful smile. Even when she could not hear what was being said, Maxine would give a beautiful smile.

Maxine is survived by her husband of 75 years, Orrin Hilgenberg of Lake Havasu City, AZ.; son, Michael (Shellie) of Laguna Beach, CA.; daughter, Judi Nakanelua of Kaneohe, HI. and Lake Havasu City, AZ.; daughter-in-law, Judy Hilgenberg of Auburn, CA.; sister in law, Mary Smith of Coon Rapids, IA; seven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her son, Gary, parents, brothers, Grant (Rita) Ballard, Ted Smith, Willard Smith, LeVerne (Eileen) Smith, sisters, Irene Smith, LVene (Verle) Thomas, Pauline (Merl) Bower and Betty (Warren) Pierce.

Memorial Service will be held of May 19, 2012 at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church at 11:00 AM.


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Treasure Chest Thursday - My Dad and His Siblings - 1954

Treasure Chest Thursday - My Dad and His Siblings - 1954


I recently came across this photo, from 1954, of my Dad and his brother and sisters, all in their prime, mostly 40s. It especially becomes a Treasure Chest, as the last of them, Max, died earlier this month at age 94.

From left to right: (Naomi) LVene (Smith) Thomas (1910-2004),
(Ellen) Bethene (Betty) (Smith) Pierce (1919-1993),
Willard Ward (Toots) Smith (1906-1979)
(Etha) Maxine (Max) (Smith) Hilgenberg (1917-2012),
Pauline Cecile (Polly) (Smith) Bower (1912-2003),
Irene Smith (1909-1997), and
Delbert Leverne (Pete) Smith (1915-1977)


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 51 - Dec 14-20

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 51 - Dec 14-20

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, and started dating my dad later in the year. The transcription, week by week, with commentary, notable items, and my comments are sitting there to view, unchanged (a few bad links and all!). . You are welcome to click on the Weekly Index, and go back to read the first half of the year, at your leisure.
Key:
My comments - in red
Commentary at the time - in green
Notable items - in blue
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 8 years old; see photo.

Week 51. On Monday, it was Eileen's 18th birthday. Birthdays and holidays were not big deals in her Dad's house. She was sick, too, which really made the day special!  ;-(
Note the very utilitarian gifts: pajamas & Aladdin lamp - see photo.

She was making a jacket for her plaid dress; even worked on it at the store. She seemed to handle cold sore well, on Tuesday evening out with Pete!  ;-)

The big event of the week, of course, was the wedding, on Wednesday, Dec 16, of Max (Pete's younger sister) and Orrin Hilgenberg. "Max made the sweetest bride." Here is a photo of them taken not long after they were married. [Each still alive and together to celebrate 75th anniversary in Arizona!]

Assume the book she read, Laddie, was: Laddie boy: the autobiography of a dog, Harper & Bros., 1936.

Don, Norma, and Pete

in Phoenix, perhaps, 1965

They got very domestic with friends, Don and Norma, on Sunday. Eileen took a change of clothes. Girls fixed nice meal, together. Across the road to Smith's for supper. How nice!  ;-)

*****
  Next week ends the 1936 diary entries on the website. For 1937, I have copies of the diary pages and will be posting them, daily, on The KINNICK Project blog, beginning January 4. Weekly summaries will continue, here, starting Tuesday, January 10.

*****

Comments welcomed! 

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Eileen KINNICK - 75 yrs ago - Week 50 - Dec 7-13

Eileen KINNICK
75 yrs ago
Week 50 - Dec 7-13

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, and started dating my dad later in the year. The transcription, week by week, with commentary, notable items, and my comments are sitting there to view, unchanged (a few bad links and all!). . You are welcome to click on the Weekly Index, and go back to read the first half of the year, at your leisure.
Key:
My comments - in red
Commentary at the time - in green
Notable items - in blue
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 8 years old; see photo.

Week 50. On Monday, "Charlie and I decorated the window for Christmas" at the store.

On Thursday, rare notice of national news: "King Edward abdicated his throne this morning. Duke of York will ascend." Later in the day, "Sold 7 of the pigs." One story about as important as another, it seems!  ;-)

With wedding coming up next week, "Put my name on bedspread for Max's shower at Curly Higenberg's."

Noted birth of a first cousin, Jeanette Kinnick Brideson at 3 this morning, on Sunday.

 Jeanette and her husband, Richard (Dick) Shapley and their clan in Sept 1992.

Finished Sunday with: "Pete really looked swellegant!"

Comments welcomed! 


Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Maxine (Smith) and Orrin Hilgenberg

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

Maxine (Smith) and Orrin Hilgenberg

Maxine (Max) (Smith) and Orrin Hilgenberg

Married December 16, 1936

75 Years Ago - Celebrating in Arizona, this month!

[I cannot help but comment on the car and license place 37- (Greene Co, Iowa) cannot read year, most likely 1936 or 37]

{They look very much like their two oldest children, Judi and Gary, at same age!!!}

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Sentimental Sunday - Reflections on my Dad's Family

Sentimental Sunday

Reflections on my Dad's Family

Posting the 1938 Smith Family Christmas photo on Wednesday got me to thinking about this group. My Grandpa, Bill, holding my cousin, Gary, in 1938, is already 69 years old and just holding his first grandchild - with all those children. They all married late, by standards of the day, it seems. I had not really considered that, and decided to see what their ages were at marriage and when the first child was born to each couple. [Grandpa Bill, "Pop" to his children, died before the next Christmas, 3 months after I was born (his second grandchild), the next summer. No, not my fault. ;-)]

Let's take a look at the numbers:
Willard (Toots) was born 1906, did not marry until 1945, age 49, first child at age 41.
Irene, born, 1909, did not marry; no children
LVene, born 1910, married Verle May 1938, age 28, first child at age 31.
Pauline, born 1912, married Merl in Jun 1935, age 23, first child at age 29.
Leverne (Pete-my Dad) was born 1915, married Eileen in Mar 1938, age 22, first child at age 23 (me)
Max, born 1917, married Orrin 16 Dec 1936 [75 years ago this coming Friday - they still live in Arizona], age 19, first child (Gary), age nearly 21.
Betty, born 1919, married Warren Dec 1950, age 31, first child, age nearly 33

Four of the middle siblings married between Jun 1935 and May 1938; oldest and youngest married the latest. They all lost their mother in 1923 when Betty was only 4, my Dad was not yet 8; Irene, 14, LVene, 13. And, the Great Depression fell in-between there…  Many other factors, I'm sure, as well.

On Tuesdays, I am writing about my Mom's diary entries, 75 Years Ago, … much about the days and times of those four marriages in there. Join us in weekly episodes, if you are interested.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Smith Family Christmas 1938

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

Smith Family Christmas 1938

[From left: Verle Thomas, LVene (Smith)Thomas, Pauline (Smith) Bower, Rita Ballard - 

in back, Willard Smith, Merle Bower, Grant Ballard; in front of them: Betty Smith, Irene Smith

Bill Smith, in front row, holding baby (Gary Hilgenberg)

Four on right, Pete Smith, Eileen (Kinnick) Smith, Maxine (Smith) and Orrin Hilgenberg

I am posting this photo, which is also from LVene's 1991 Smith book, because it relates very well to the '75 Year Ago' post next Tuesday - although this photo is 1938, and the '75 Years Ago' reference is 1936 - it is virtually all the same people, and same time of year, in the same location (the Homeplace)!  ;-)

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - 1923 Smith Family Photo

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

1923 Smith Family Photo

This is a scan of an old little black and white family photo that I've had for a long time but have never really ever done much with. I now realize, this is likely the last photo ever of my grandmother Ella, center back, white apron. She died in June 1923, and this photo is labeled 1923. I believe it is the only photo I have of my dad earlier than high school. He is the boy in the middle, just in front of and to the side of his mother, surrounded by all of his sisters. He would have been been 7 and a half, about the same age as my grandson, Alex, now. Pete would become 8 in early August 1923, a couple of months after his mother passed away.

Oldest living son, Willard (17) - known to all as Toots - is on the far left, next to Grandpa Bill (53). To the right of Ella (43) are the three oldest daughters, Irene (14), LVene (13) and Pauline (11). Daughter, Maxine (6) (center) and Bethene (4) are in front.

Families are Forever!  ;-)

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday - Orrin and Maxine (Smith) Hilgenberg

Wordless (Nearly) Wednesday

Orrin and Maxine (Smith) Hilgenberg

Dad's sister, Max, and Orrin were married 16 Dec 1936.

(See Eileen's diary next Tuesday, as well)

This photo is from their 50th Wedding Annversary in 1986.

As I am writing this, they live in Lake Havasu City, Arizona, and are approaching their 75th!

Families are Forever!  ;-)