Tag Archives: David A. Yegerlehner

Tired (Gladys)

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April 13, 1944 envelope

April 13, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
4-13-44

Dear Daddy,

Just bathed David and taped up the thumbs. John took him up to bed and now John is doing homework and Mark is drying dishes.

I am very tired this eve but thought I would be able to sleep better if I am really tired. I don’t feel quite as low as I did this morning. I started cleaning up as soon as you left. Got the dining room back in order. After lunch I cleaned the kitchen floor and put a washer of clothes in. I was so tired by then thought I should rest. I took a short nap then hung out the clothes. David took a nice long nap. After I finished hanging the clothes I came in and dressed him and took him out in the sunshine. I thought I would sit on the step & read the Dem. but D. kept running around the house. Jimmy and Bobby came over and visited a while,

April 13, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] but they got into a bad quarrel and Jimmy went in the car with his Mother & Daddy. While sitting on the step Bobby said they might get a stone driveway. I asked him “where.” He said where the cement drive is now. I must have looked like I didn’t understand what he was talking about, and he followed with this, “Mommy & Daddy haven’t said anything about it, but I think we will have a stone driveway.” He said he liked the hills on both side of ours. After Mark came home I turned David over to him and Mark said Bobby got in trouble and his mother made him stay home. It was so warm today I hung the clothes out after 3 P.M. and they got dry. The water was very hot so thought I would take advantage of it & the sunshine. I got the clothes line up but it was quite a pull.

I just heard David and I think he is working on a thumb so will go up and see. He was looking out the front door and I said, ”See the robin.” He said “obin.”

I wrote a letter to Ruth M. and John took it to the P.O. I told them they could find a recruiting office either in Joliet or Chicago.

I was looking at the new evergreen tree. It is still damp around there from the recent rains but the tree is beginning to look brown around the edges. In a day or so I will water it if it doesn’t rain. I won’t mail this till morning and if there is any mail or news will add a line.

Love Mother

April 13, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Fri. a.m.
It is about time for Mark to go to school and the mail hasn’t been delivered yet so no news. It is cloudy and looks like it will rain. I am glad I got one washer of clothes done yesterday. Slept like a log last night but still tired. Going to try and get this mountain of ironing done. Mark tries to use the belt you left but it is too wide. David is full of pep and

April 13, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] going strong. I worked on John’s face last nite with soap & wash cloth & washed his hair. He looks pretty good this a.m.

Love Mother

©2016 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/11/tired-gladys/ ‎

Home Sweet Home (Roscoe)

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Roscoe finally received his long awaited orders on March 22, 1944. He journeyed by train, arriving in Kentland, Indiana, on March 24th. He enjoyed about three week’s leave before he was required to report for duty at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital, on April 13th.

: March 22, 1944 orders, p. 1

: March 22, 1944 orders, p. 2

Obviously no letters were written during this time. However, Gladys made note of David’s first meeting with his father in the baby book.

March 23 – 1944
David is 18 months old – weighs 25 1/2 lbs – 33″ tall.
March 24 – Daddy came home and David saw him for the first time. David thinks Daddy is “OK.”
Cutting lower left and upper left first molars.
David is wearing thumg guards, but still puts his thumb in his mouth when he gets the guards off.
Apr. 9 – Easter Sunday and David’s Christening Day. Vic, Beulah & Carol Jean came for dinner and spent the afternoon with us. David found several Easter nests with the help of John and Mark.

Roscoe and David, March 1944

©2016, copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/09/home-sweet-home-roscoe/

Pack Away Some Memories (Ruth)

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Letter transcription:

Lieut. R.S. Yegerlehner, U.S.N.R.
U.S.N. Base Hosp. #4
Navy 133
F.P.O. SAN FRANCISCO CALIF.

Mrs. Earl Mutchler
Wilmington
Illinois
Feb. 28, 1944

Dear Jake, Am in the letter writing business this afternoon. It seems that I owe everybody an answer, and by the way I haven’t heard from you for quite some time. Mom and Gladys are always so good to relay the news on to us however. Suppose you are very busy. Everyone here seems to be too. Earl is working such long hours. You know he never was very “fat” and he isn’t getting any fatter. Now me for instance, my case is a different story. We have had some nice spring days already but imagine we will have more wintry ones. Imagine the climate where you are now is very enjoyable. Had letters from Mom & Gladys last week, they were all well. From Gladys’ letters I take it that David must be growing into quite a boy. She says he keeps them busy. Those snappy black eyes of his are really meant for business, so much to see & do. Here’s hoping you are well & able to enjoy your surroundings, pack away a lot of memories so we can sit at your feet & listen when you come home.

Love Ruth

©2012-2016, copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/02/pack-away-some-memories-ruth/

Federal Figures (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

Lt. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
(M.C.) USNR
USN BASE HOSP. #4
NAVY 133
FLEET P.O.
SAN FRANCISCO CALIF.

MRS. R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA

2-28-44

Dear Daddy – I talked to Agnes about filing the Federal and she wants the figures on the entire salary. I told her the figures you sent but she insists she needs the whole amt. of salary you receive. I should know it but it has been changed since you received your promotion and then too isn’t there an increase for foreign duty? I hope you get this in time to answer so we can file by Mar. 15. It is cold again today. We have had some very warm springy days, but the temp was down to freezing this a.m. Incidentally, I have a sore throat. I went down this morning and had a treatment. As soon as I get David fed and to bed I am going to try and get some rest. No rest while he is up. I think I’ll feel better after a little rest. I saw Red Bruck in town this morning. This is the first time I have seen him since he has been in the Army. I would think he would be over Army age now and be back home to stay, but I don’t know if that is the case or not. Maybe he would rather stay in. Rose & Casey run the store for him. It’s nearly time for J. & M. to come home for lunch and I have to get David ready too.

Love Mother

©2012-2016, copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2016/01/01/federal-figures-gladys/ ‎

2015 in Review

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It’s that time of year! I have already seen several posts from fellow genealogists and societies, and even some from family members. Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve and everyone is looking forward to 2016. What new experiences are you anticipating? Many of these posts recommend setting goals (instead of resolutions). My father, a retired career coach, advocates making a few attainable goals and then sharing them with friends and family as a way to keep yourself accountable and on track. It doesn’t help to make impossible goals, a guaranteed set-up for inevitable failure.

For me, looking back, 2015 has seemed impossibly long and short at the same time. A veritable blur of genealogical activity! I am surprised to recall all the genealogy related events and projects I did accomplish. These are most of the items I can remember….

Published Dear Mother, Love Daddy
Completed my ProGen studies
Attended my first large genealogy conference (SCGS Jamboree)
Attended my first all day genealogy seminar (Sacramento Roots Cellar Spring Seminar)
Continued to post one WWII letter every single day (for the third year in a row)
Wrote over 20 Fashion Moments posts
Researched, transcribed and posted over 60 newspaper articles about the smallpox epidemic in the year 1900 in Indiana
Transcribed and posted over 70 postcards written to my 2X great aunt Lena Hackleman
Had two published articles in the Sacramento Roots Cellar Preserves newsletter
Appeared in two episodes of Discovering Your Past
Started a volunteer genealogy program at my local library branch
Presented my first genealogy lecture
Engaged 3-5 paying clients for the year
Recruited 3-5 relatives to DNA test
Scanned several hundred family slides taken by my grandparents, Roscoe & Gladys, during the 1960s-1970s
Reviewed four genealogy/family history related books
Wrote five online articles for Genealogists.com
Began publishing a periodic newsletter as well as monthly updates on the blog
Connected with and started some great working relationships with several genealogists around the country
Submitted preliminary application for the Mayflower Society

A few items that I wish I had accomplished (but after looking over the above list of things I did achieve, I don’t feel too badly):

Publish an article in a national or state level periodical. I keep getting hung up on the whole reasonably exhaustive search aspect of genealogy, and want to keep researching. I need to learn to feel more comfortable writing what I have now.
Find a genealogy/writing job which will fit into my teaching and personal writing schedules

Goals for 2016

To publish the second volume of WWII letters, currently titled So Solong, Love Daddy. This volume will cover the letters from October through December 1942. I am currently behind on this project. I had hoped to accomplish more during my December vacation. My son has been on vacation with me so I have chosen to spend more time hanging out with him instead of sitting for hours in front of the computer screen editing text. This time around, I have lost my team of editors and proof-readers. I will need to recruit some new help. My goal is to publish the book by Memorial Day, if not sooner.
One of my goals from last year that was not accomplished – to publish an article for a state level society or national genealogy periodical. I see this as a goal to work on after the book is published.
Seriously begin planning for certification! I want to have preliminary projects started/plotted before I go on the clock. I really have no more excuses at this point since I have completed both Boston University’s genealogy research certificate program and ProGen. I want to have a plan in place by the end of 2016.
Continue to work on my skills as a genealogy lecturer. I have two more presentations scheduled this spring; the next one in only three weeks.

Other odds and ends….

I want to continue writing Fashion Moments’ posts but I am moving away from the weekly format, perhaps to once a month. It has been hard at times to find material that I am interested in writing about. I would love more feedback from readers and suggestions for future posts so feel free to send me questions or photographs.

This year will likely see the end of the WWII letters. Over the next week, Roscoe will begin his journey home to the United States. He continued to serve through the end of the war, but his duties were stateside. One of his postings allowed Gladys and the boys to live with him. The remaining letters will jump ahead months and weeks at a time with the majority being written by Roscoe. Another large block of the letters were written by people other than Roscoe or Gladys, by people who served with Roscoe, like Dr. Edmund T. Lentz. I definitely feel that the letters are moving into a new phase for 2016.

Rev. Eugene B. Scofield

Looking ahead to after the WWII letters (I know it is very hard to believe!), I have an extensive collection of letters that were written between Gladys and David in the 1960s and 1970s. At that time, David was a young adult moving away to college, getting married and relocating to Massachusetts. These letters provide another fascinating glimpse into the world of the Yegerlehners during the mid-twentieth century. In addition, my collection of family memorabilia contains letters from the late 19th century. The Reverend Eugene B. Scofield, a brother to Lena Hackleman, was a traveling minister for the Christian Church in Indiana in the early years of his career. While he was away from home, he wrote many letters to his family. So even though the WWII letters may be running out, I still have a lot of transcribing and preserving to do.

Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year! And may you find all your elusive ancestors in 2016!

Mark’s Birthday (Gladys)

1 Reply

: February 26, & 27, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 26 & 27, 1944 (envelope back)

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-26-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 15 came today. So glad you finally rec’d David’s Christmas pictures. He does, I think, resemble your baby picture. So many people around here comment on how much he looks like you. Mark has him out now getting some fresh air and some sunshine – however the sunshine is a little pale now. It was brighter this morning. It is very warm and windy. Last night I was awakened by thunder & hail. It was quite a storm while it lasted. The hail was very bad for a while. The north windows showed the effects of the storm – especially the kitchen windows are covered with dirt.

I am having a little party for Mark at 4 P.M. Buddy is here now walking around with Mark while he pushes David around. I tried to keep the party a surprise but John didn’t know it was to be such and began talking about the party. John wanted to play a trick on Mark, so he sent him a birthday card and signed a girl’s name. This girl is in Mark’s room and according to Mark is poison ivy, or something equally unpopular. He says she is very ugly and he dislikes her very much. He suspected John as the sender and was ready to tear him apart. John told Miss Smith about it and she in turn told him about something she did when in high school. There was a girl who wasn’t very popular

February 26, & 27, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] and didn’t have dates – a certain boy she admired from afar – Well Miss S. sent her an invitation to the prom and signed this boy’s name. She said the girl wrote him a note accepting his invitation – The boy was very angry – but I don’t know whether he took the girl to the prom or not. I think John felt a little badly about sending Mark the card until Miss S. told her story, then he didn’t think he had done as much as she had.

This rain and warm weather is making things look green. The tulips are up so high. I am afraid they will get nipped yet but can’t keep them from growing in weather like this.

I see in the paper the Barces held a reception for Betty & Paul. They spent a week in Missouri on honeymoon. I think Paul has to return to Panama at the end of his furlough.

Kenneth Wood has been in Calif. since he finished his training at Allison, but has been sent to New York. He was in Kent on his way to N.Y. one day this week. Harlan Parr was in Fla. until last fall then sent to Mich., was there a short time, then sent to N.Y. I see in the paper that Frank Morton is working in Nashville. Mildred & Frank Jr. were down to see him. Frank Jr. will soon be in the Navy.

– – The party was quite a success – Two Zell girls, Buddy, Bobby, Jimmy & David Diedam were here. I made a white cake and decorated it will pink candles. John went to the drug store and got strawberry ice cream which carried out the color scheme. I made a punch with grapefruit & orange juice.

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] Everybody seemed to have a grand time.

This is Sun. P.M. – I didn’t get to finish this yesterday due to the party, etc. Buddy wanted Mark to eat supper with him after the party and John wanted to go to the show with David Diedam – Mark saw the show Fri. night with Zells – I wanted to take David to the Dr. because of this cough he has had several days. Dr. M. gave him a whooping cough shot and said to bring him back the middle of the week for another. There are so many cough cases and he says the shots are the only thing he has found to help. After seeing the Dr. I went to the restaurant and got my supper. The supper crowd was gone and there was only two or three men at the counter, so I stayed. I wouldn’t have taken David in if there had been a crowd, or several children. David didn’t seem to mind the shot so much. Just cried a few minutes and was able to smile at the Dr. when we left.

According to Dorothy, the reason Doris Wilson didn’t get to the hospital to have her baby (no. 4) she couldn’t find Ellsworth in time. Dorothy said they (several couples) were at Tiltons, after the Bond rally show,

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] having refreshments (about 2 a.m.) and Doris called inquiring if Ellsworth was there. She didn’t say why she wanted, so no one tried to find him. He didn’t get home in time to get her to the hospital and the Dr. didn’t get there until after the baby was born. He was expecting her at the hospital. I’ll bet Dr. M. was plenty “sore” about the whole thing. I remember how they started to the hospital when Eddie Ray was born and stopped to see a show on the way.

It was so nice out of doors yesterday – but it’s not quite so inviting out today. The Zell girls, Virginia (11) & Betty (8) are here playing Monopoly with Mark. Martha Jane is the youngest (3) and is home taking a nap. John has been listening to the radio and David in running around the house getting into everything – Just found some of Mark’s cards, so Mark came running to the rescue. David loves to close doors and will close any door in the house he can find that will close for him.

Harold Portteus came yesterday to tell me he might not be able to get a permit to sell us the beef – but I think he will get the permit. If there is any objection I think, I’ll do a little talking. They had had a lot of hospital & Dr. bills the past year and really need to sell. Ruthie was in the hospital several weeks and Harold is just recovering from a hernia operation. He said he was anxious for you to get back. One reason being Jim’s induction into service. He said he was thinking about shots he would have to take and would like for you

February 26 & 27, 1944, p. 5

[page 5] to give them a statement regarding Jim’s reaction to shots. Dr. M. said he could give them a statement but he knew in some instances the examining Doctors disregarded any such statements. Knowing how Jim is, I would think it would be very risky for him to take shots Army or Navy style. Harold says he thinks they will let Jim remain home until late fall because Harold won’t be able to do much heavy work this summer. Jim will graduate this spring. He is getting thru high school and that is better than some. Romaine’s boy friend will have to enter service this fall and has one more year of school. I would think some provision could be made for those boys who want to finish high school, but since they are taking fathers with several children, maybe it’s better to take some of the younger ones. I still think there are some who should be in and are not – but that’s an old story. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd is called up for another physical. He is dissatisfied with his job at present and I don’t think it would take much for him to quit. He was rejected, but just between you and me, I think if he wasn’t working for this co. he would be called up for another examination. Do you get what I mean? He was told his rejection was due to his nervousness, but I really don’t think he is that nervous. Well that is my opinion and I may be wrong. This may all sound like I am wanting him to be in Service, but that isn’t the way I feel. If he can do more here raising tomatoes to feed the Army, he should be where he can do the most good. I am about out of space and feel fun down.

“Love Mother”

Mark’s Birthday Party (back row: Buddy Krull, John, David Diedam, Mark holding David; front row: Virginia Zell, Betty Zell, Bobby Funk & Jimmy Staton)

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/29/marks-birthday-gladys/

Chicken-Pox (Gladys)

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: February 24 & 25, 1944 (envelope front)

: February 24 & 25, 1944 (envelope back)

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-24-44

Dear Daddy –

Another beautiful sunny day makes me think spring is just around the corner but I know we have March yet and any kind of weather may come then. This kind of weather makes me want to get out & dig.

I started out with David yesterday and stopped at Funks. Arlene said Joy had chicken-pox. I went in and looked at her and could only see a slight rash – I asked Arlene is she knew what chicken-pox looked like – she said “no.” Well, if Joy has chicken-pox I don’t know what they look like. I asked her if she had had temp. or felt cross the past few day and evidently Joy has been perfectly normal. I think she has a rash. Arlene was puzzled how Joy could get anything, since she hasn’t had her out of the house recently.

Jack Byrnes (Art’s druggist) has two youngsters and last winter they had measles and scarlet fever and now have chicken pox. The little boy is just a little older than David. So far David hasn’t had anything except colds. He seemed to hold on to a cold most of the winter. It seems to come and go. I wonder sometimes if it isn’t an allergy. He has been coughing a little more than usual the past few days, but it doesn’t bother

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] his appetite in the least. I have been taking him out every day. It is too nice to stay in.

Sat. is Mark’s birthday and I want to have a party for him. I think I’ll have the neighbor children in for cake and ice cream. I don’t want to have too many because of David. The children around here are all in good health now, so don’t think there will be any danger of them carrying any contagious diseases.

A window light in the basement was blown out the other day when we had a high wind. I got another one yesterday, but haven’t tried to put it in yet. I must get it in, so if we have a cold spell, it will be in. If I could find someone to do the work I would have the partition around the furnace finished to keep the dirt in one place. This untreated coal is so dirty, our basement can’t be kept clean now.

I rather expect Lucile to come out with Jimmy this afternoon. Jimmy and David make a good team. They are almost the same size – – After David woke from his nap I put his sweater & cap on and took him out in the sunshine. I went over to Statons to tell Irene about Mark’s party Sat. When I started out again I saw Lucile coming. She wanted to stop and see Joy Funk so I kept our boys out in the sunshine while she visited with Arlene then I walked to the corner with her when

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 3

[page 3] she started home. Come back and Arlene had Joy & Donnie out in the yard. She had Joy in her basket. She was sleeping soundly and absorbing sunshine. Donnie was running all around the yard. I was so warm it made us think it was spring. I didn’t finish this letter yesterday and now this is the 25^th. I am not making a habit of this so don’t get alarmed. I am out of V-mail at present or would have written v-mail yesterday. The boys got out of school at 11 a.m. today. It has rained all day and David didn’t get to go out any. The speed burner on the stove was out of order so the serviceman came out to fix it – Ed has ordered a new switch but Michaels said the new switch wouldn’t work, so Ed came out with him. They both worked on it a while and said it was ready for use. I tried it when getting supper and couldn’t get it to turn off, so Ed came out and put a new button on. If that doesn’t work he will put in the new switch.

Cosmopolitan was at Cost’s this afternoon, and being vice-president I went, because the Pres. Called and asked me to, she was going to be out of town.

February 24 & 25, 1944, p. 4

[page 4] Coke, Cecil D. & I called on the Wilsons when we left Casts. Their new baby arrived the 23^rd without the services of a Dr. Ellsworth officiated. He said he was going to run an ad in the paper for his services – However he will probably soon be in the Army, his notice came today along with 49 others. Among those I understand Bill Nugent got his call. When asked what the new baby’s name is, he said he hadn’t decided yet. Doris said if he didn’t choose a name by tomorrow she was going to. Coke said, “do you name all the children?” He said since he couldn’t have them the least he could do was name them. Doris said she would gladly change jobs with him.

The Zells took Mark with them to the show tonight – John is practicing and David is tucked in, or I should say he is in bed because he is probably on top of the covers. He sleeps on them, rather than under unless I get up and cover him several times during the night.

John is going to take this up to the hotel to mail for me.

No mail from you today, but had a letter from your mother –
“Love Mother”

©2015 copyright owned and transcribed by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found: https://genealogylady.net/2015/12/26/chicken-pox-gladys/ ‎

Growing Boys (Gladys)

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: February 23, 1944 envelope front

: February 23, 1944 envelope back

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-23-44

Dear Daddy –

Yours of Feb. 10 & 11 came today. It is a nice sunny day since the fog has cleared. I want to take David out if he will go to sleep and get a nap first. For some reason he didn’t go right to sleep when I put him down after lunch. He is learning more about climbing every day. This morning he climbed up on a kitchen chair and played with the radio on the kitchen table. He climbs up on the couch when he takes a notion and sometimes tumbles off, but that doesn’t discourage him – he goes right back. Dot Salter Hoffman sent me two rolls of film today so will get a picture of David – today being his 17^th month. It seems to me the time flies by faster than ever. When I think of David begin 17 months old it somehow doesn’t seem possible yet he has made good use of all these months the way he develops. Of course we think he is advanced and “super” but we would be that way with him. I think he knows how he rates – Just looked in to see if he was covered – he finally went to sleep.

Not having been around where news floats around I don’t know much about current events of Kentland. This being Wed., no weekly newspaper to gather items from.

February 23, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] You may wonder about Dot sending me film, but she works for Easley and when film comes in she is supposed to send me a roll or two. This is the second time she has sent. I was out and couldn’t get any here so her package was more than welcome. – – I stopped and took a little nap too. Now we are both up and I have a film in the camera and am going to take David out in a few minutes for a snap. He has been a little touchy since he woke up. Maybe he slept too long. I am not going to use the whole roll today – since Sat. is Mark’s birthday will want to take pictures then.

John went to town yesterday and got a new suit. He is growing so fast has just about grown out of the one he has now. His arms are so long and hip legs too. I let the cuffs out on the pants as much as I could and they are still short. He is almost my height (5-2 ½ ) lacking about an inch. If he keeps growing like this at only 13 ½ he will be tall – up in the 6 ft. class. Of course he may quit after this “growing spell” is over but he has a good start. I always thought Mark would be tall but not John. He is developing too – takes a 13 ½ shirt. Not far from his Dad’s size.

I have put David out in the buggy so must go see about him.
Love Mother

Tulips Peeping Thru (Gladys)

1 Reply

February 22, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-22-44

Dear Daddy –

No mail delivery today so we didn’t score anything. It is very warm and the snow is melting – There is some left where it had drifted but it will soon be gone. The tulips are all peeping thru and some are an inch or more above the ground. I suppose it won’t hurt now. They came up some time ago during a warm spell and we covered them with leaves but the leaves were blown off. Mrs. Zell fertilized all our shrubbery in the back. Now with the snow melting and all the moisture around them they should get off to a good start this spring. I will be glad to get out in the yard again and turn the earth up and get flowers started. The house should be painted this spring – I noticed several places peeling – and it looks as dirty as several years accumulation instead of just two.

There is no school this afternoon due to Rev. McCloud’s funeral and no school Fri. P.M. due to some kind of teachers’ meeting. Mark is out in the yard “tending” David. Two of his classmates are out with him. How they can find anything amusing to do I don’t know, because I told them to keep off the grass.

February 22, 1944, p. 2

[page 2] It is so wet that if they run and play on it now they make holes, etc., and it needs care instead of destruction. I want to get some grass seed before long and sow again. I sowed a little last spring. I believe it helped some.

David loves to sit in his buggy and watch children play. By spring he will have to be put down on the ground so he can do things too. He certainly kept busy this morning doing some things I didn’t want him to do. I was ironing and he would get into things then just stand and look at me when I would tell him to get out. I could persuade him sometimes to get out, then again I would have to get up and use more personal methods. He is a tease, and I wasn’t wanting to be teased with all the ironing I had to do. He will be 17 months old tomorrow – is 32 ½” high and weighs 25 lbs.

When I started writing it was very clear and sunny and now it is getting dark and looks black in the north. I wonder if we will get a rain, snow or what. Looks like something is brewing.

Sat. is Mark’s birthday. I think I will have a surprise party for him. He is talking quite a lot about his birthday. Said he wanted another watch but I told him no because he didn’t take care of the one he had. I got him two new shirts and gave them to him and told him they were for his birthday but I really intend to get him something else.

Love Mother

Death of Rev. McCloud (Gladys)

1 Reply

February 20 & 21, 1944, p. 1

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind.
2-20-44

Dear Daddy –

Another wintry Sunday P.M. I was going to take David out for a walk but a fine snow is coming down – so fine it is almost a rain, so unless it lets up we will stay in or go in the car. I thought we might go out to the greenhouse. Rev. McCloud died yesterday and I would like to send flowers. Rev. McCloud suffered a heart attack last week and I understood he would have to be in bed for sometime but he was up getting his breakfast yesterday morning when he died. As active as he had always been I never thought about him having heart trouble. He used to play tennis every summer –

The snowing stopped so I walked for a while with David & Mark then we came back and went out to the green house and ordered flowers to send to McClouds. Then we stopped at Plummers. Mr. P. was in bed – had been sick with near pneumonia. They won’t get to go to Fla., because they were to go about the time he got sick a week ago, and he isn’t able to be up yet. I think Mrs. P. is rather disappointed because they can’t go. She has been working pretty hard since he has been down, taking care of the chickens, furnace, etc. Then they got a quarter of beef and she canned it. I hadn’t seen her since Christmas eve and didn’t know about Mr. P. being ill. I thought

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[page 2] they would be in Fla., but saw the flowers in the window so knew they were home.

We came back home and listened to the radio all evening. David Diedam came about 7 P.M. and played with Mark a while. Mrs. Z. came over and invited us to eat fried chicken with them tomorrow evening. They have kept chicken in their refrigerator since the middle of Jan. We had baked chicken today that we put in the locker almost a year ago.

Mon. A.M. Yours of Feb. 8 & 9 came today. Had a leak in the upstairs bathroom. Had to call Mr. Monroe – The leak was from the flush box. It had run out on the floor and soaked down on the ceiling in the dining room before I discovered it but it is fixed now and not much damage done. The other side of the dining room ceiling has water marks from the bath tub. I hope to get some painting done this spring & cover the water marks.

It is nice out today. Sun shining and snow melting. I want to take David out after he wakes from his nap. He was a little busy body this morning. Wouldn’t stay put anyplace – just kept going from one thing to another, getting into things he knows he should stay out of. He is beginning to talk more. When he wants to do something to get attention, he gets your picture and says “Da.” He knows he won’t get scolded

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[page 3] for that. He has been saying Ma-Ma the last two days. We are trying to get him to say mother. He can say John & Mark, not quite plain, but we know what he is saying. I have to keep the bathroom door closed (downstairs) to keep him from playing at the lavatory. He climbs up on the clothes hamper and does things.

Irene borrowed some coffee this morning – Said her mother is away but I didn’t ask any questions. I suppose she has gone to Ft. Wayne to stay with Margaret. Irene isn’t working now – Dorothy said Irene was to rest a month before she goes back to work. I can’t imagine Irene staying home and doing hum drum house work. Not that it is that to me – but I am geared differently from Irene. I imagine she will return to the factory.

I have been wondering what the men getting married in foreign lands will do about their wives when they are ordered back to the States. Will Bob be able to bring his bride back with him if he is sent back here before the war is over? He won’t mind staying down there now but what a situation to be ordered back here soon and have to leave his wife. Of course it isn’t any worse than your situation but it would seem a little ironical if he got traveling orders now when that is what you want. I think I hear little David getting awake.

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[page 4] I knitted a suit for James L. – I want to get it mailed today. I wanted to send it for his birthday which was in Jan., but I didn’t get it started in time. I made this suit in dark blue. I want to make one for David in red. He still has dark brown hair and his eyes are so dark they almost look black, so he should wear red. D. & Jimmy make a good contrast. Jimmy is so fair and his hair is so blond it is almost white.

–Pause to take D. up and set him on the toidey – it worked – saved a diaper. He is busy now playing with a box – much more interesting than a toy – Toys are something to throw down and leave on the floor while a good box is playing with.

I am afraid this letter has been rather jumbled, but I started on it so many times & I didn’t have a very good train of thoughts any time I started.

I want to start planning flower gardens for spring. I haven’t thought much yet about a vegetable garden. It is nice to have vegetables all summer but almost more work than I care about. If the boys could carry on without my supervision, but they couldn’t last year. John doesn’t like gardening and Mark won’t work consistently unless he has someone with him all the time – It is almost compared to getting blood out of a turnip – except that he can work but doesn’t care to.

Love – Mother