Grape pie (Wikimedia Commons photograph)

Until this letter, I had never heard of grape pie. It turns out that I missed out on this part of my German heritage. According to Wikipedia, the grape pie was a specialty of German immigrants who lived in a stretch of western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio in the area south of Lake Erie. My grandfather’s maternal side of the family was all German. His maternal grandmother Elizabeth (Krieble) Schiele belonged to a sect of Germans which immigrated to Pennsylvania in the 1730s. Her family migrated west to Ohio, and then finally to Indiana when she was a teenager.

Grape pie is made with concord grapes. Preparing the grapes is a lengthy process. The grapes have to be skinned, cooked to a pulp and then de-seeded. My grandmother had no German blood to my knowledge. During the early years of my grandparent’s marriage in the 1930s, they lived on the Yegerlehner family farm in Clay County, Indiana. It is possible that my grandmother learned to make grape pie from her mother-in-law, Lovina (Schiele) Yegerlehner.

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
Aug 25-1942

Dear Daddy,

We are enjoying an early preview of fall weather. It was 58° at 8 o’clock this morning. I put the thermostat down because I want to save the coal till we really need it. We got out sweaters out and feel comfortable enough. I hate to have the doors closed this early, but afternoon we will open up again.
Had a letter from Uncle Wes this morning. They are going to Clay City in three or four weeks so I suppose I will see them on their way down or back.
Bill and Arlene brought us

(page 2) two large perch this morning. I didn’t feel like cleaning them so wrapped in oil paper and put them in the refrigerator. Mark says he can clean them but he is busy now with Buddy Hufty. They are working on his models. He has a work shop in the room over the garage. He had been working in the garage but it was too cluttered up all the time so I had him move. I wish I felt like helping him. He gets such a thrill from working on his models but doesn’t do a very good job. Of course John isn’t at all interested and wouldn’t be of any value to him.

(page 3) They can count the days now until school starts-this Thurs. They both say they aren’t ready for school to start but I think they will be enthused after it begins. I had them gather all their last year book together to Mark can take them to the grade building. I am sure they will be able to sell all of them because they are in good shape.
Irene came over yesterday. She is over her cold but said Jimmy had a pain in his side. They called Dr. G. later in the afternoon. I haven’t seen them yet today so don’t know how he is.
I received the credit from Physicians for the two boxes I returned (8.55) so that will help a little. Haven’t had a reply from Lakeside yet.

(page 4) Hume S. called yesterday and said he had heard from Charlie L.-Hickey had seen Charlie and told about seeing you. Hume has been away and I told him I knew Henry had seen you. He was a little late with his mail.
Buddy K. just came out and the boys are having quite a session with their models. Buddy makes ships.
This is John’s music lesson day so I will have to get some lunch so he can go well fed. I am supposed to make a grape pie-they helped me fix the grapes yesterday.

Love Mother