Tag Archives: Emma (Lawhead) Foster

10 Below Continued…(Gladys)

Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-20-43

Dear Daddy – I am writing 2 of these today. They told me at the P.O. I am allowed 3 a day and I felt like writing more today than one holds. In case you didn’t get the other it is 10 below today. Blizzard yesterday and no school. I am quoting again figures I sent several times you asked for. To May 31 – #3120.45 – June 260.25 July 253.28 Aug 33.75 – total 3667.73. Agnes and I will get all the tax business taken care of so don’t worry about it. The uniform money hasn’t come yet. The last box you mentioned hasn’t either. Some of your Rotary friends asked if all you had to do was make a necklace – I told them you do that on Monday evening since you can’t attend Rotary. No letters today but had 5 Mon & 1 Tues. If you get all my previous letters hope you don’t worry about our colds. They boys are all over theirs and as full of pep as ever. The last time John started to sneeze I gave him the oral vaccine as you instructed – six in one day and it worked – cold all gone. I still have a sinus condition but I am able to be up – tho I am not trying to do anything unnecessary – Mother is here and takes care of the kitchen work. David is now taking 13 oz. carnation 16 oz water – 2 ½ tbsp Dextri-Maltose – 1 egg yolk – in formula – 3 tbsp pablum. He has now doubled his weight – at 3 mo 3 wks – is good. Holds on to things now and responds to attention. Took some more pictures today – Will send them if they are good. Will write a real letter next time – so I can ramble more.

Love Mother

Another Blizzard (Gladys)

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Letter transcription:

MRS R.S. YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-19-43

Dear Daddy – Another blizzard and no school today – Probably hard for you to believe we are having such weather. If you get all my letters maybe you will get a fair idea what it is like here. I wish you could see the way the snow is drifted across the front yard today – It looks like rock formation. The boys are playing pick-up stick this A.M. David is asleep. Just had both pablum & milk. Weighted 13-6 this morning. He is holding things now. John calls him the “personality babe” Had a wire from Glen that they have a baby boy named him James L. – They are living in Winnemucca Nev. now. Had one letter this A.M. – Yours of Jan 11 – I am anxious to see the new necklace – The lace box you mentioned hasn’t come yet – Neither has the uniform money. I am taking sulfadiozine for my sinus infection. Have been taking treatments but the thing won’t clear up with spraying & irrigation. Never had such a time with it. The baby’s cold hangs on too and I think it’s because of my condition. However he hasn’t felt bad – and I do hope he doesn’t. Mother is knitting him a pr of bootees. Oh for spring and warm weather again.

Love Mother

Homes - 508 E. Dunlop Street, Kentland, Indiana, 1942-12-20

The house after a previous snowstorm

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/06/another-blizzard-gladys/

Sunday’s Obituary – James E. Foster

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Terre Haute Tribune, Saturday, January 29, 1954, p. 2

JAMES E. FOSTER

James E. Foster, 85 years old, died at 1 o’clock Thursday afternoon in Warren, Pa. Surviving are two sons, James of Indianapolis and Glenn of Cheyenne, Wyo: one daughter, Mrs. Gladys Yegerlehner of Kentland; two sister, Mrs. Cora Miller and Terre Haute and Mrs. Lizzie Johnson of Largo, Fla., and one brother, R. W. Foster of Sharpsville. The body will be brought to Cross Funeral Home where friends may call after noon Sunday and where services will be at 10 o’clock Monday morning. Burial will be in West York, Ill.

James Edward Foster was born 3 May 1869 in York Township, Clay County, Illinois. He was the eldest surviving son of James B. and Lydia (Dicks) Foster. James and Lydia were the parents of thirteen children of whom only five survived to adulthood. James grew up on his parents’ farm, and after the death of his father in 1887 (when James was 18), he worked as a farm hand. Later he worked as a traveling salesman and a clerk. At the end of his life, he appears to have worked as a gardener.

On 29 February 1896, James married Emma Lawhead in Hutsonville, Illinois. They were the parents of five known children: Lydia Allie, Glenn E., Forrest, James L. and Gladys R. Of the marriage little is known. According to Gladys, her father was an alcoholic. Eventually Emma got tired of James’ behavior and kicked him out. Whether they were officially divorced or not is unknown.

Foster, James E. - St. Louis, Missouri, 1924-05-03

James E. Foster
St. Louis, Missouri
May 3, 1924

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/03/sundays-obitua…james-e-foster/

Our street was a sheet of ice (Gladys)

1 Reply

Letter transcription:

MRS RS YEGERLEHNER
KENTLAND
INDIANA
1-17-43

Dear Daddy – Sunday evening and the family in bed except me and waiting for D. to take his 10 PM before I turn in. Mayrose’s brought Mother up today. The weather was fair for the trip and it is snowing some this evening and when the boys came home from Youth Fellowship said was so slick they couldn’t stay on their feet. I noticed cars going very slow. Our street was a sheet of ice yesterday. The ice is so thick some children skate on it going to and from the pond. I hope it is better by morning as I need to go to town and I don’t want to walk. Since having this sinus trouble I try not to go out in the cold air any more than necessary. It is better this evening. Should clear up soon now. I hope it doesn’t continue indefinitely. John and Mark are both up and going again but John still has a little stiff neck. He was able to take care of the furnace today. Mark is as lively as ever. They have the electric train hooked up in our bedroom and have been playing with it this week-end. I suppose they will leave it there until I get tired walking around it. Mark has been trying to think up some of the things David will get into when he begins to get around. John says he isn’t going to worry about such things. Thanks for the letter about your trip and I might add, you do a good job telling things.

Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/01/our-street-was…-of-ice-gladys/

Happy Birthday Gladys!

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Today is the 108th anniversary of Gladys’ birth. She was born in Terre Haute, Indiana, the youngest child of James E. Foster and Emma H. (Laughead) Foster. She was an amazing women who lived through extraordinary times. Happy birthday Gladys!

Photograph from the private collection of Deborah Sweeney

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/11/01/happy-birthday-gladys-2/ ‎

When it rains it pours (Gladys)

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: January 14, 1943 Envelope

: January 14, 1943, p. 1

: January 14, 1943, p. 2

: January 14, 1943, p. 3

: January 14, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan. 14 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

I didn’t get the line added to yesterday’s letter so will just start another and put both in same envelope. I don’t make a habit of this but we were so late getting home from Laf. last night I didn’t get my letter on the night mail as I sometimes do. The old saying about raining and pouring seems true. John had a stiff neck this morning and had quite a time getting up but finally made it. He is much better but his neck still is a little sore and he moves around very carefully. He and Mark have both been home today and are getting pretty noisy. I think they can both go back to school tomorrow, but I thought another

[page 2] day at home would do Mark more good than going back to school. He is feeling about normal now. It is warmer and I think he can be turned out by tomorrow.

Had a letter from Mother today and she said she would come back up. I am going to call her and tell her to come on the bus to Laf. and since I have to go down tomorrow will meet her there. I think since Thelma has gone to Norfolk to live she feels a little left out in T. H. Not that she saw much of Thelma, but she knew as long as T. was in T.H. Jim would come back when possible and now that she is in Norfolk he won’t try to come so often – Mother thought Jim was coming back for Christmas and she stayed in T.H. for that reason but instead of Jim coming back Thelma went there – and stayed.

I had a letter from Jim, he had written on the back of their camp – “Bee Lines” – official publication of the “Seabees.”

[page 3] I talked to Agnes Molter again today about that tax business and when I get straightened out over this sinus infection will go down to the office and she is going to write you a letter about that 1941 tax payment. She still insists that we let that payment go – but I’ll let her do the explaining and also about 1942. She wrote in about that payment we didn’t make and received a reply – but when I talk to her will get it all straight.

My sinus is still draining and the drainage isn’t very good tasting. I am going back tomorrow and get another treatment. Also I am going to take the Baby down to Dr. Cole and let him check him over. He feels pretty good today – hasn’t any temperature but coughs some. It doesn’t bother him while he sleeps, but I will be glad when he gets rid of it. I think he is as good as John or Mark but I am afraid we are more apt to spoil him. However he still lies in his bed or on the bath table and watches his hands for long periods at a time.

[page 4] Dorothy is here and is getting ready to go to town so will let her mail this for me. She is going with me to Laf tomorrow. She was telling me the Johnson baby kept Ed up the first night they were home from the hospital. Ed was in the restaurant for breakfast and a little sleepy.

This is Thurs & she has to take food home to fix for supper – the proverbial Busman’s holiday.

Must close –
Love
Mother

©2013 copyright owned and written by Deborah Sweeney
Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/10/27/when-it-rains-it-pours-gladys/

John is listening to the opera (Gladys)

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: January 9, 1943 Envelope

: January 9, 1943, p. 1

: January 9, 1943, p. 2

: January 9, 1943, p. 3

: January 9, 1943, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Jan 9 – 1943

Dear Daddy –

Your letters of Dec 30 & 31 received today – I think I have all the letters you have written and again I will tell you the first letter you wrote came Sept. 22. However I had rec’d six later ones before it came. There is one more box for you to get and that will be all I have sent and by the time you get this you will probably know there has been a restriction put on sending boxes to men abroad, so that settles that. Even if you hadn’t decided you didn’t want me to send anymore. I may send one more before the 15^th if I can get some suitable things together.

This being Sat. afternoon John is listening to the Opera so there isn’t much work to be gotten from him till the opera is over, but he will make up for it after it is over and since he enjoys it so much I would feel like an old meanie not to let him listen without interruption. He sent you his arrangement of Star Spangled Banner this week. He went with me to Lafayette yesterday and got a book on Opera he saw while in Loebs. It’s a good thing we went yesterday – if you haven’t the letter I wrote yesterday you won’t understand. It was clear yesterday but we are having weather again today. It has been snowing and blowing and I can’t see very far north or south – there is just a white haze.

[page 2] Driving would be difficult today because the snow drifts so much. Of course the snow plows keep busy. You can look at the Lentz pictures and get a good idea what it has been like here most of the winter. It has been very scenic much of the time but I haven’t enjoyed it as much as I would had I been able to get out more but before Christmas it was too cold to take the baby out then I got the throat & sinus infection which hasn’t entirely cleared up yet – however it is, much better. Just having sinus drainage now – which may last some time.

Again – The uniform money hasn’t come yet. Your ins. policy hasn’t either. I received a notice that it would be sent but to date is hasn’t arrived. Our bank bal to date is around 500⁰⁰ but I have to pay your John H. ins, taxes and all those first of the year things – and I mentioned this before but will tell you again I got a new coat – at Loebs which I put on the acc’t and that will have to be paid next month ($108⁰⁰). It is plain black seal but I like that kind and to get one of different fur would run well into 200⁰⁰ and I didn’t see anything I would pay the difference for. I asked you in two previous what you think about getting a used piano for

[page 3] $100⁰⁰. It has been out 3 years and is like the one Ruth Mutchler has. I mean in size. I didn’t know until it was sold, but I missed getting a good piano last fall. Seems I missed two good buys but I can get this one now if I want to take it. In case you have the other letters don’t think I am “harping” on the subject but since you haven’t rec’d all letters in the past I just repeated for that reason.

I rec’d a long letter from Marie Mace this morning. They probably have written to you about their cows & calves. I can manage two sheets of paper to daily to you but when I try to write as much to anyone else I seem to run out before I get thru. I should write Marie a long letter in return for her’s but I doubt if I will. I owe several letters but with going to Laf. every other day the past week I manage only to get yours out. I did get one to my Mother this week. After I finish this I am going to write to your folks & maybe Ruth M. Haven’t had any word from Floyd & Ruth since they were here last week-end.

– – – Steve McKinley came this afternoon and paid their bill $5⁰⁰ – It was her OB checks. He said to tell you hello for them. They has a boy – born last July – I don’t know whether he had been born before you left or not – Somehow I don’t remember much about it.

[page 4] but in July last summer a lot of things could have slipped my attention.

I am sitting in the den (nursery) and saw Red Foulkes shoveling snow off their driveway – Wish he would come up this way and clean off our walks but after it quits blowing maybe we can get it done. There isn’t much use to try to clean the walks as long as the snow drifts the way it has today. The last snow we had we didn’t get our walks cleaned off good – I mean the first snow way back around Thanksgiving, then it is kept snowing more all the time & freezing and our front sidewalk wasn’t very easy to walk on.

John is getting ready to take this & other mail to the P.O. so must get it finished (Mark went yesterday). I was going to scan over the papers & give some local news but won’t have time now. Will try to do that tomorrow – Maybe I’ll have more time. If there is anything of interest (which I doubt) Will try & get some pictures in next week’s letters.

Love Mother

P.S. David weighed 12 lbs 15 oz today.

Protected: School vacation (Gladys)

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Protected: Christmas in Kentland 1942 (Gladys)

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Three months old (Gladys)

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: December 23, 1942 Envelope front

: December 23, 1942 Envelope back

: December 23, 1942, p. 1

: December 23, 1942, p. 2

: December 23, 1942, p. 3

: December 23, 1942, p. 4

Letter transcription:

Kentland Ind
Dec 23 – 1942

Dear Daddy –

David is 3 months old today and weighs 11 lbs 10 oz –

Well I had to have a round like John & Mark had – John is upstairs in bed and I am on the davenport. My throat got very sore so started taking sulfathiazole about 6:30 last night and have taken 10 tablets now. My throat is much better and if I have any temp. is very slight. Clara Molter stayed with us last night so she could take care of the baby and is staying today. Floyd called last night from Napanee about going home but I told him we were staying home due to present circumstances. I feel pretty good today but will keep quiet and try to get up tomorrow. This sulfathiazole is much easier to take them nilamide. The way I felt yesterday and last night I would have expected to feel much worse today but on the whole and everything considered I feel fair. School has been

[page 2] dismissed until Jan 4. The roads were so slick yesterday the busses couldn’t go out and evidently it isn’t much better today. This little upset of mine has kept me from getting my Christmas shopping finished, but somehow I don’t care a lot. Arlene & Bill went to Chicago and shopped before gas rationing and had their things mailed and they got lost in the mail so they are in a worse shape than I am because I haven’t spent anything & they have. I mean I haven’t spent for certain gifts. I sent for a pin for Mother and when it came is was about the size of a peanut. I had seen several of those Navy pins like Thelma has and thought that was what I was ordering but this one is so small I am afraid she won’t want it. I had Mr. Reinard order it so I think I’ll send it back and try for a larger one.

Mrs. Zell came over last night and swabbed my throat and Mr. Z. took out clinkers for me. I have been doing that job myself. I think that is more than the boys can manage. Mr. Z. has been classified as 3-B so there isn’t much chance of his going.

[page 3] and Mrs. Zell says they feel like they should help us out when we need it, because you are in service and he isn’t. They come over and ask if there is anything they can do. You know there is a difference in asking someone to do something and having someone offer to do without being asked.

No letters today but there were three yesterday so didn’t expect any today. I am afraid your Christmas boxes got wet. The one I sent especially for Dec 25^th was packed in a shoe box then I put that inside a heavy corrugated box and tied it firmly with heavy cord. I thought I wrapped all the packages well enough but I suppose they get rough handling.

Mark has gone to town on an errand. He was detailed to amuse David and it soon got tiresome. He like to play with him if I am there but if it looks like work he doesn’t like to do it.

I told you we received the yen note, also the Hawaii & Noumea money. The children like to show the money. I wonder if you are learning any French from the lessons in your newspaper or do you have to know French when you shop?

[page 4] We took some pictures Sunday in the house with our camera and two fotoflood lamps. It was very bright outside from the sun & snow so the pictures turned out very good. I’ll put one in this letter & one in Tomorrows etc., so you will get one of them in case some of my letters are lost. If we had a candid camera we could do better, but for outdoor pictures you know what good pictures we have had.

Dorothy sent your birthday greeting on your birthday but didn’t say anything about sending two, but since they came at the same time she must have. Birdie Steele called for your address this week so she could send you a greeting – but I think she was a little late for Christmas. Coke Foulkes also got your address yesterday.

Wayne Walker had been in Australia and is home on a 30 day furlough – maybe I mentioned that before. I haven’t seen him but I haven’t been out much lately. Mrs. Roberts called me Sunday to wish me Christmas greetings. We were wondering if the Doctors would be sent home or kept for the duration. Earl Roberts seemed to think you would get to come home after one year out – but does he know?

Here’s hoping –

Love Mother

Post originally found at: https://genealogylady.net/2013/09/11/three-months-old-gladys/