Wordless Wednesday - Portrait of My Mother

                                              Portrait of my mother, Marilyn Norris Shoemaker,
                                              as painted by my Aunt, Jeanne Norris Crago.
                                              circa, 1968.

Wedding Wednesday - Estel and Imogene Huffman Shoemaker

This little, yellow newspaper clipping tells the story of the wedding party for my paternal grandparents, Estel and Imogene Huffman Shoemaker.

Estel was born in Adams County, Ohio on 3 April, 1907.  He left home for Sabina in Clinton County and a job at the Mac Tool Co..  It was there in Sabina that he met his future bride, Imogene Huffman, who was born on 16 July, 1907.  They were married in Covington, Kentucky on 23 November, 1929 and upon their return home, they were treated to a small family wedding reception, which is described in the above article.

They soon had two children, my father, Estel, Jr. and his younger sister, Joyce. Tragically, my grandfather passed away from a sudden heart attack at the age of 42 on 30 March, 1950.  My grandmother went to work in the town grocery store and she continued working until the day she retired. 

I was so very blessed to have two sets of incredible grandparents who were not only great role models for their children, but for their grandchildren as well!

My grandparents with my daddy.

Sentimental Sunday - Grandma at the Grocery Store

Today I was searching through my family history folders when I spied this photograph of my grandmother, Imogene Huffman Shoemaker.   She is pictured standing in the produce department of the little grocery store in Sabina, Ohio where she worked.   She was only 43 years old when my grandfather passed away suddenly of a heart attack and was overnight a single mother without an income.   I remember being told that her parents wanted her to move in with them so they could take care of her and my aunt, who at that time was just a little girl.  My father was just out of high school and soon would be married and entering the service.  My grandma was determined that she would take care of herself so she declined my great grandparents offer of a home and she got herself a job working in the grocery store.  By the time I was born, she had been employed there for many years and  I can well remember driving to Sabina on a couple of occasions when she would still be at work and we would stop in and surprise her.  At Easter, she would sometimes bring me decorations that had been hanging up in the store and she never failed to bring my brothers and me a chocolate bunny or fruit cream eggs as a special surprise.   So, today, I am feeling a little sentimental about this photograph and the memory makes me so proud of all my grandparents and very grateful for the legacy of integrity and determination they gave me.

Wordless Wednesday - Grandmothers

For today's Wordless Wednesday I have chose this photograph of my paternal grandmother, Imogene Christine Huffman Shoemaker (in pigtails), seated between her paternal grandmother, Nancy Johnson Huffman and her sister, Lavonne Huffman Jackson, circa 1910, Clinton County, Ohio.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Thanksgiving, 1986

By far, one of my favorite memories is that of Thanksgiving, 1986.  You see, just a month before, I had given birth to our first child, our son, Daniel.  On Thanksgiving, my father's family was planning on being at my parent's home for dinner, where they would meet our new addition for the first time.  I can remember being so excited as I dressed Daniel for the day and gathered all the needed "baby equipment" for our trip "down the street and up the hill" to his grandmother's house.  We were welcomed with much excitement and joy and I can still hear those voices filled with love and laughter.  After dinner, we posed for some family pictures, including the 4 generation photograph of my father, my grandmother, myself, and Daniel.  A few weeks later, my aunt had the photograph published in the Wilmington News-Journal in Clinton County, Ohio.  The article with the photograph of Daniel cradled in my grandma's arms is truly one of my "treasures" even if the newspaper did reverse Daniel's first and middle names!

Wisdom Wednesday - "Remember Your Name"

My daddy, Estel Shoemaker, Jr. in his senior portrait.

On my father's 60th birthday, we gave him a surprise birthday party.  In fact, it ended up being more like a "roast" when just about everyone present stood up and told a funny or embarrassing story about him. During my brother's segment of the evening, he relayed a message that my father had always reminded him during his childhood. The statement was "always remember your name".  When he first said it, people laughed because it does sound like a joke.  But, my father meant it in a deeper context, because the sentence goes on, "Always remember your name, because there are those who share it with you".

His meaning to us was very clear. We were never to do anything to bring shame to ourselves or to our family.

I've thought about those words many times. In this day and age, when everyone seems to be thinking, "I'll do what I want. It's MY life and I am the only one who has to live with the consequences", it's interesting to ponder how life would be different if more people would think about how their actions affect their family members well-being and reputations before they act.  I realize there are many that might not care, but I think that my ancestors probably thought quite a bit about how their actions reflected upon their loved ones.  I know I have never wanted to bring any negative attention to my family, and although I may not have always lived up to my intentions I continue to hear my father's voice repeating, "Always remember your name".

Surname Saturday - Roseanna Varvel Shoemaker

My great grandmother, Roseanna Varvel Shoemaker

Roseanna Varvel was born 15 June, 1876 in Adams County, Ohio.  She was the third child of seven born to George W. and Mahala Mahaffey Varvel, the first of their four daughters and she was named in honor of her grandmother, Roseanna Bowen Varvel.   Sometime in 1895, she was married to Thomas Jefferson Shoemaker, the son of Jacob and Anna Mariah Grimes Shoemaker,  in Adams County and they began farming in the rugged southern Ohio land.  In 1896, their first child, Floyd,  was born and Ann would eventually give birth to thirteen children, twelve of whom survived to adulthood.  It was not an easy life for Tom and Ann as they struggled to feed and shelter their large family, which also included two of Tom's brothers, Ike and Jake.  At one point, they even lost their farm due to a combination of unscrupulous maneuverings by a mortgage holder and poor record keeping by a too Tom.  Somehow, they managed to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table.  Ann was a strong and courageous woman.  Her daughter told a story of how she herself was terrified of all the snakes that made their homes around the family farm, but Ann was never bothered by them. She would simply pick them up by the tail, "crack" them like a whip and their heads would fall off.  She would just go on about her business, teasing the girls about their fear. 

The Shoemaker Home from 1933-1949 photographed in 1990

As her children grew up, Ann had to watch her oldest son go to war and several of the others leave the homestead to find the jobs that were not plentiful in and around Peebles.  She persevered, taking care of those who remained and watching her family grow as her children married and had babies of their own.

On 19 October, 1943, Tom had a massive heart attack and died at the age of 74.  According to her daughters, Ann was never the same.  She spent a great deal time living with her daughter, Lulu, in Xenia, Ohio and that is where she died on 28 January, 1956. 

She is buried next to Tom in the Locust Grove Cemetery in Peebles, Adams County, Ohio. 

Sentimental Sunday - Tribute to My Daddy

I have heard stories throughout the years about the importance of a father upon a girl's life. Experts will tell you that a woman's self esteem is greatly affected by how she sees herself through her father's eyes. I was so blessed to have a father who loved me unconditionally and who thought I was beautiful all the time. There was never a time when my brothers and I did not feel my parents love and that has guided our paths throughout our lives. 

My father, Estel Shoemaker (known as "J" to family and friends) was the epitomy a Christian man and he practiced what he preached.  When my father wasn't working, he was home with us.  We were lucky enough to live in the days when mom was able to be home with us during the day and dad came home right on time every night. We sat down to family dinners each night together and exchanged all the news of the day.  Times were not always easy, but Dad never liked to accept help from anyone. He had a strong work ethic and he passed that on to his children.

I have now had 17 Father's Days without my dad and it doesn't get any easier.  I joyfully remember all the years when we would take him out to dinner as a family after church and I miss those times dearly.  I am so grateful for memory of my daddy and for all the things that he taught me, but most of all,  I thank God that I was the daughter of such a wonderful man.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Grandpa's Work of Art

My paternal grandfather, Estel Shoemaker, Sr.,  died when my father was only 18 years old so I never had the privilege of knowing him and sharing stories of his childhood.  He was born near Peebles, Adams County, Ohio, but when he became an adult he moved to Sabina in Clinton County and it was there that he found not only a job as a moulder, but he also found his bride, Imogene Huffman. 

When I was growing up, I can remember well the ship pictured above.  It sat in my grandmother's home.  Extremely heavy, it was used, I believe, as a doorstop and it was made by my grandfather's hands. A few months ago, my aunt was moving to her new home and she presented me with this priceless gift.  Thanks, Aunt Joyce!

Tombstone Tuesday - George Shoemaker

This is the burial place of my great uncle, George Shoemaker, son of Thomas and Roseanna Varvel Shoemaker.   He died of paralysis after becoming ill with diptheria.   

He was only 3 years, 4 months, and 16 days old.

He is buried in Locust Grove Cemetery, Peebles, Adams County, Ohio.

Tombstone Tuesday - Cemetery Road Trip

Old Dutch Cemetery, Highland County, Ohio

A couple of years ago, I got inspired to take a cemetery road trip.  Both my husband and I have family members who were early settlers in several southern Ohio counties and I got the brilliant idea that we could take a drive down to visit four cemeteries where we would most likely find the gravesites of some of our ancestors.   Beginning with my Shoemaker ancestors in Old Dutch Cemetery in Highland County, Ohio, following up with Locust Grove Cemetery near Peebles in Adams County, Ohio and finishing up with my husband's Odle-O'Dell family at Friendship and Odle-Piatt Cemeteries in Turkey Creek, Scioto County, Ohio.  With the use of Google Maps and good advice from some helpful online friends, I created an itinerary that I thought would make for trip of great discovery.  Now, I just had to convince my family this would be fun.  My husband wasn't hard to convince.  Even though he really didn't have a clue which of his relatives I was really looking for, he was ready for some time away from his job. job.  The kids were going to be a harder sell.  Two teenaged and one "tween" boy were not going to be enamoured by the thought of driving for several hours and stopping only to visit cemeteries where they were going to be put to work looking for names.   So, I decided I would make this a getaway weekend and we would find a motel with a pool for a night.  I figured if they knew there was a pool and some in room movies waiting for them, I could get them through the 6 or 8 hours of sheer agony they were going to have to endure.   So I presented them with the agenda, and even though they weren't thrilled, they decided it might not be torture.

With their acceptance, I began to check out the cemeteries a little more closely so I would be prepared when I arrived.  The one that most concerned me was Old Dutch.  It looked as though it was located in the middle of a cornfield and according to some accounts I read, it was surrounded by a locked gate. Oh great.  How was I going to get someone to unlock the gate for me.  I emailed the Highland County Sheriff's Dept.  and asked if someone could unlock the gate for me when I arrived. They must have thought I was completely daft because I never received an answer.   So, I decided I would take a small ladder along; just in case!

The day arrived and we loaded the car with all the essentials. Maps, notebooks, pens, and camera for my husband and me and snacks and games for the boys.  We headed out and made it to Highland County in a little over an hour.   Sure enough, Old Dutch was located off the road, behind a cornfield.  We had to drive through a little cleared area of grass next to the field.  I kept thinking the farmer wasn't going to be happy with us!  When we arrived at the cemetery I was pleasantly surprised by how well kept it was and how beautiful and serene the area around it was.   Purple wildflowers bloomed throughout the grass and the stones were in very good condition.  Some that had broken had been meticulously repaired.  It was here that I found the gravesites of Samuel and Julia Ann Weaver Shoemaker, my paternal 4th great grandparents, as well as those of several of my distant Shoemaker cousins.

 Since the cemetery was small, my sons didn't have to look too hard for names, so they decided they would busy themselves with bothering the ground spiders that were plentiful throughout Old Dutch.  They discovered if they took a stick and moved it anywhere near the hole of the spider's den, they could get the spider to jump out at them.  As a future science teacher, my oldest son found that fascinating.  So far, so good!

The next stop was Locust Grove Cemetery in Adams County, a little farther southeast.  It was about another hours drive to reach our destination and further into the country.  I couldn't help but wonder how much the land had changed since my relatives had lived there.   When we reached the cemetery, I was surprised at it's size.  I knew I would be putting the kids to work there.  We didn't see any type of cemetery office, although since it is a working cemetery, I know there must have been one around somewhere.  It was here that I found the gravesite of my great grandparents, Thomas and Roseanna Varvel Shoemaker and  those of many of my great aunts and uncles, as well as that of  my great great grandfather, Jacob Shoemaker. 

We spent quite a bit of time at Locust Grove.  I really hated to leave; fearing I would miss someone.  But, the day was getting late and we still had a drive ahead. 

Time to head toward Friendship Cemetery in Turkey Creek, Scioto County. 

I didn't know a lot about where we were headed, except for the fact that it was close to the banks of the Ohio River and very near the Shawnee State Forest and Resort.  Some of the land that was once owned by the Odle's was sold to the state of Ohio when the forest was being created.  As we drew nearer to the area, the geography was becoming even more rural.  If you have ever been through the southern and southeastern portion of my state, you will know what I am talking about.   I thought how difficult it must have been to farm in this area because of all the hills.   We had some trouble finding just where we were going. This was before GPS devices had come into vogue and we certainly didn't have one!  Up until this point, even though the weather was threatening, we had had no rain.  The kids were getting a little tired and I have to admit, I was getting kind of cranky myself.  We finally found the cemetery and the church it surrounded was one of the prettiest country churches I have ever seen.

And, of course, it was just then that it began to rain, the kids started to complain and they became a huge pain!

Luckily, my husband took it in stride, determined that we were not going to come all this way and not discover his family.  The cemetery is medium sized, so it wasn't too difficult to find our way around.  It was here that we found the gravesites of my husband's maternal great grandparents, Andrew Jackson and Bertha Welty O'Dell.

We also found the burial place of  his great great grandparents, William and Angeline Piatt Welty and  those of several  of his great aunts and uncles.  It was quickly becoming a very good trip for us!

With one last stop to make, the rain began to slow down.  The next cemetery was a little more difficult to find. 

The Odle-Piatt Cemetery is very small and quite overgrown with weeds, but we did finally locate it.  After the spider episode, the boys were a little less inclined to enter an area that looked like such a wonderful home for other creepy crawlers, so my husband and I let them wait in the car.  It was here that we located the gravesite of  my husband's great great grandparents, Nelson and Sarah Walker Odle, and several of their children.  

By this time, we were all worn out, but feeling like we had done a good day's worth of research.  With the final pictures taken we headed to Portsmouth and that promised swimming pool.

It's been a couple of years since we headed out on our Southern Ohio Cemetery Road Trip and I sure am ready to head out again.  Didn't they say it was going to be 50 degrees this weekend?    Hey kids.........

Sentimental Sunday - Getting Dad Home

The letter is addressed incorrectly to "Mrs. Esther Shoemaker", but it doesn't matter. The news it contains was what my mother had been praying for and waiting to hear for way too long. My father had been stationed in Japan and his tour of duty had been complete for some time, but the Air Force could not seem to find a way to get him home. He had not been well and homesickness was taking it's toll. My oldest brother had been born while he was gone and there had been precious little time with family since then. Both he and my mother were at their wits end. Out of sheer desperation, my mother and grandparents had contacted the office of their congressman, Paul F. Schenck of the 3rd Congressional District in Ohio, to see if he could offer an help. They soon received an answer.

His response had been written 1 June, 1954 and it states, "I have received a message from the Far East Air Force Command regarding your husband's rotation to the United States and am pleased to relay this information to you. They report that his return has been delayed because of a shortage of transportation facilities which, of course, you already knew. However, they also say that if they do not find space for him on a ship coming to the United States by June 5th, they will let him fly back and use him as a crew member on the plane. I am also informed that he will be assigned to Lockbourne Air Force Base on his return. It has been a pleasure securing this information for you and if I can be of further to you at any time, I hope you will feel free to call on me. With kindest regards, I am.......Paul F. Schenck."

On the 11 June, 1954, my father sent the following telegram, "Darling, leaving for Fuchu on the 14th. Will see you soon. All My Love."

He flew home on an airplane that was going to be taken out of service because it was no longer safe. I guess he figured it was worth the risk to finally be home!

Wordless Wednesday - Huffman Sisters - Part Two

Another portrait of my grandmother, Imogene Huffman Shoemaker (L) and my great aunt Lavonne Huffman Jackson (Sabina, Clinton County, Ohio) circa 1910

Sentimental Sunday - The Letter of Recommendation

If there was one thing I could change about my childhood, it would be that I would have had the opportunity to know my Grandpa Shoemaker. My dad's father died one year before my parents were married, so I never got to meet him. Most of his family lived a few hours away from us so we never were able to get to know any of his brothers or sisters very well. We did have a few precious photographs of him. The portrait above of my grandparents, Estel and Imo Huffman Shoemaker, and my father, Estel Shoemaker, Jr. is one of my favorites.

When I began seriously researching my family history, I enlisted the help of my Aunt Joyce to round up and scan whatever she could find for me. The letter above was one of the treasured items she sent to me.

It is a referral letter written by my grandfather's boss, George Horton, who was a foreman at The Wilmington Casting Company in Wilmington, Clinton County, Ohio. The fact that the letter tells the reader what job my grandfather performed and that "his work has been a very high type" is fantastic. But, what makes this letter so meaningful to me is the statement that he was of "exemplery character". It isn't often that we can discover how others viewed our ancestors, so I consider myself very lucky that I have been able to "know" my Grandpa Shoemaker in this way.

Treasure Chest Thursday - The Norris Girls

Today's post for Treasure Chest Thursday is a photograph of my mother, Marilyn Norris Shoemaker, (on the left) and her sister, Jean Norris Crago. They were the only girls in a family of 6 children. You can tell how much my mother looked up to her "big sister". The picture is kept framed at my mother's home.

Wordless Wednesday - Grandpa's Car

One of my favorite photographs of my grandfather, Estel Shoemaker, Sr. and his car.

Treasure Chest Thursday - Note from Daddy

Today's Treasure Chest Thursday post is a very personal one and I sincerely debated about whether or not I wanted to share it. If you have view my previous "treasures" you will see that my treasures are mostly photographs or trinkets; memories of my loved ones. Today's post is no exception. The card pictured is a thank you note from my daddy. When he was turning 60 years old, we talked about throwing a surprise party for him. A few people thought it would be better to wait until his retirement at 65, but we decided we wanted to go ahead and do it for his birthday. I am so thankful we did, because 3 years later, we lost him to pancreatic cancer and he never got to have the retirement he so richly deserved. Surprisingly enough, we actually were able to surprise him and we all had a wonderful time. Thankfully, we have it all on video so my children, who were 3, newborn, and unborn at the time, can see how many people loved their grandpa and what a special man he was. A few days after the party, my husband and I received this card in the mail from my dad. I always recognized his handwriting, so I knew right away it was from him. It was highly unsual for dad to send us anything because mom was the person in the family that did all the "card sending", but dad wanted us to know how much the party had meant to him. Everytime I read his note, I feel the tears filling my eyes and I thank God that we decided not to wait for his party. It was a night that Daddy loved and that we will never forget!

Wordless Wednesday Huffman Sisters

Lavonne Huffman Jackson (l) and Imogene Huffman Shoemaker (r), my grandmother. Sabina, Clinton County, Ohio circa 1908