My Life Journal...Diana Lewis

I'm staying with the six page idea vs. the four page only because there's so much information. You can not only find it in the words but also the photos and these are some of the sweetest photos of Diana at Nob Hill. I'm sure all of us can find a photo where we ourselves or one of our family members are sitting in a "swimming pool", it might not have been a wash tub outside maybe it was the sink. I just love sweet innocent photos like these. Her mother was so well organized in noting all of her developmental dates and  foods, Virginia loved her daughter you can tell just by looking at the first few pages of the book. Enjoy the next six pages, 10-15 and be sure to share and let me know what you think. 

Photograph of pages 10 & 11

   Diana at 6 mo. On the floor of

The living room at Nob Hill.

Diana at 7 yr. in

Her “swimming pool”

Diana on the porch at Nob Hill. She was

Eleven months old & this was the picture I sent her Daddy

who was in Greenland. 

July, 1945

In the

front yard

of Nob Hill

at 13 ½ mo.

Here I was

14 mo. Old.

The picture

was taken by

Mother

and Daddy

in the

back yard at

Nob Hill.

Photographs of page 12 & 13

SLEPT

First Week  Diana slept days, cried nights

Second week the same as first week.

Next month She has her nights & days straightened out

REACTIONS

Notices sound of voices  Sept. 1, 1944

First tears  Sept. 20, 1944

Recognized Father and Mother  October 25, 1944

ACTIVITY

Lifts head  November 1, 194

Grasps objects has always been able to hold rattle

Plays with hands Sept. 12, 1944

Sits up (supported) Nov. 25, 1944

Sits up alone Feb. 27, 1945

Creeps June, 1945

Stands with help July, 1945

Walks October 1, 1945

First Words Daddy – Pretty

Walks alone October 1, 1945

Attempts to climb March, 1946

Words together April, 1946

Uses spoon and cup cup- Feb, 1946 – spoon –

You've a little way about you

That is very, very dear,

A pleasant way that always makes

Folks glad to have you near,

That brings a smile to welcome you,

A sigh when you depart,

And that little way about you

Has endeared you to my heart.

Janet

To Diana

From Deborah

(This is hand written in pencil on the back, penmanship looks to be that of a child.)

Easter’s the day for bunnies,

For brand-new BONNETS too…

But better still, it’s just the time

To say HELLO to you!

    To Diana from Grandmother Lewis

April 1 – 1945 

This is just

for your own little,

cute self alone,

On the very first

Valentine’s Day

you have known!

With Love From Great Grandmother Beers

(This was handwritten in black ink on the back.)

Photographs of pages 14 & 15

FOODS

First feeding was at the hospital. Her first orange juice and

cod-liver oil was at one month. Prune juice added 5^th week.

Note changes At the hospital she had a formula of

evaporated milk & water. Dr. changed this to whole

milk and water when she came home.

First solid food Vegetables from the garden at __________

on July 26, 1945.

Drank from glass at eight months

FAVORITE FOODS

At one saltines, orange juice       At two bacon, banana’s, milk

PARENTS’ COMMENTS

During 2^nd year Diana has a great interest in books. At 2 ½

she knew her nursery rhymes quite well and all the alphabet.

During 6^th to 10^th year reads books like mad

During 10^th to 15^th year reads books by the dozens

Tomorrow’s blog post will include a Western Union birthday wish from her daddy along with a sweet birthday card while he was in Ireland. The card is sweet and I have to admit being in a military family myself, my heart breaks when reading about parent and child separation. I know that I’ve been asked about composing a list of all surnames mentioned in the book and their location; I will be posting that on the last posting of Diana Lewis. I’m waiting because this book also has her wedding announcement clippings; those hold additional names, that I will be sharing those later also. 

Matrilinel Monday - Aline Marie SMITH

     Now I would like to introduce you to my great grandmother on my dad’s side Aline [Alene] Marie SMITH. She was born on 8 July 1896 in Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Her parents were John N. SMITH of Missouri and Sara CLARK from Pennsylvania.  On 12 July 1916 she married Roscoe Henderson LANGSTON in Cape Girardeau, MO.  She had five children, 2 boys, James Raymond LANGSTON, my grandfather, Gerald L LANGSTON, 3 girls, Virginia L LANGSTON, Glonda L. LANGSTON and Gertrude R LANGSTON. She died on 14 December 1942 in Cape Girardeau, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She is laid to rest at New Lorimer Cemetery, Cape Girardeau Missouri.   

     Unfortunately there isn't a lot of information that I have about Aline [Alene] Langston, she passed away before my dad was born. So needless to say there aren't any family stories. I can however tell you that she must have been an amazing mother to have raised man like my grandfather, he had the determination to succeed, and that he did. 

                                      

(photo from Find a Grave)

Matrilineal Monday - Great Grandmother Emma Josephine HARRENBURG

   

   Now I would like to introduce you to my Great Grandmother Emma Josephine HARRENBURG (Hopper). This is my dad’s grandmother, on his father’s side, her parents were Cornelia Josephine GRAY, born in Alabama, and her dad was Charles HARRENBERG, born in Missouri.

  

   Great Grandma Emma Josephine HARRENBURG (Hopper) was born 31 AUG 1890 in Missouri. She married Robert Nathanial Elmer HOPPER on 11 NOV 1912 when she was 22 years old. She lived in Cape Girardeau with my Great Grandfather after their marriage. She had five children Mary Angelina HOPPER, Charles Garrett HOPPER, Robert Eugene HOPPER, Carrie Lee HOPPER and my grandmother Lena Katherine Elizabeth HOPPER. She passed away 31 May 1966 in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

     Just like my past post on my Great Grandmothers, I wasn’t around when they were with us. So I had to rely on what I remember about any stories, which was not a lot. So I turned to my dad to ask what he remembered about his grandmother. He remembers her being a very head strong lady set in her ways. She was a professional piano player that spent most of her childhood in schools in Germany. It was probably her love of the piano that drove her to trying to convince my dad to play the piano; he didn’t have any real desire to play and never did. One of the fondest memories that he has of her was during Christmas, she would make the best hot coco, and he still believes there’s no other hot coco like it.

     I’ve only touched the surface as to what Emma Josephine HARRENBURG (Hopper) was like. I have the strong suspicion that there’s a lot more that I’ll learn about her as time goes on. I’ll be sure to share those findings as they come to the surface of my search into her and her family. 

Matrilineal Monday - Great Grandma Essie Mae STEWART (Clinton)

     

     Great grandma Essie Mae STEWART (Clinton) was born 4 November 1880 in Daviess, Indiana. Her parents were Stewart and Dicey Bugher. She married Edd Clinton on 8 August 1897; they migrated to Missouri around 1910 and settled in Sikeston, MO where they raised corn, soybeans, melons and some cotton. Around the mid 1940’s they purchased a stock of farm in the Perryville, Mo area. That is where Great grandma Clinton passed away on 30 January 1957 at 76 years of age. Great grandma and Great grandpa Clinton had seven children; Kenneth, Ora, Frank, Nellie, Eldon, Edra and Martha.

   

  I picked my mom’s brain again and asked what she remembered about my Great grandma Clinton. Once again I wasn't around so I never got the opportunity to meet her. As stated above she lived on a farm and they weren't a wealthy family, as far as money goes. She was a farming wife in every since of the word, lived off what the land had to offer. My mom recalls that when she and her brother, LeRoy, would go to visit. She was never allowed to go down to the barn with her brother and grandpa. That was not a place for girls as far as her grandmother; my Great grandma Clinton was concerned. I’m just guessing, but I’m pretty sure Great grandpa Clinton wouldn't have mind. She remembers helping with the little lambs and bottle feeding some of them with Great grandma Clinton.

    

  Now for the swinging chicken, I remember the story on this one also. Remember Great grandma Clinton was a farmer’s wife without question, when it would come time to prepare a chicken she was the one to collect. She would go out to the chicken coop and grab the best one for the night, pick it up and swing it in the air, above her head until it snapped. I picture a cowboy twirling a lasso above his head, but instead it’s my Great grandma with a chicken.

    

 The house they lived in was built by my grandpa, Fred Elfrank and my Great uncle Scott, it’s pictured below. When mom was reminiscing about what she remembered one memory was of the porcelain pot that set in the corner of their bedroom. She didn't want any form of plumbing in the house; they had a bathtub and sink basin but no toilet, just the porcelain pot. I guess some change was okay but they wanted to take it slow. Mom recalls great grandma sitting in the corner rocking chair rocking back and forth shaking a mason jar making butter; no they didn't have a churn. She also kept baby chicks in the fenced in on the back porch.

  

   Like I said they weren't a wealthy family when it comes to money and as for the photos, they were taken on a special occasion. It was her and Great grandpa Clinton's 50^th wedding anniversary that brought together many friends, the pictures were one of the gifts that they received from their children. I’m so grateful that this was a gift they received, because now I have received that same gift, and now I’m sharing that gift with all of you and my kids.  

The Grim Reaper Comes to Visit the Elfrank Home

      While searching for some additional information on my ancestor’s I started browsing the Bollinger County, Missouri Newspapers Abstract of July 2, 1891 – December 31, 1896. I hit the jack pot, so to speak, and was able to locate an overwhelming amount of information. It’s nice to see that I found information on many other ancestors, along with the one I was conducting the search on. Luck would have it that most of the Elfranks and Estes families lived in Marble Hill, Bollinger County, Missouri.

    

      The wording in this obituary announcement is quite different than what we find in obituaries today. Some might view the beginning as strange and creepy, while others will notice how much she meant to the community and the one who wrote this announcement.

February 4, 1892

The grim reaper has invaded the happy home of our friend, Mr. Henry Elfrank, and took therefrom one who’s place can never be filled – the wife and mother. She had been a suffer for a long time from cancer in the stomach, and being reduced in strength, when the prevailing malady, la grippe, attack her she sank rapidly, and last Sunday night at about the hour of ten, surrounded by her family and a number of friends, all that was immortal of Mrs. Elfrank took its flight to the relm of peace and rest. She was a member of the Catholic Church, and was buried at Vinemont Tuesday. She leaves a husband and six motherless children, to whom we extend our most sincere sympathy. Local and General (Marble Hill)

Matrilineal Monday - Great grandma Mary Caroline ESTES (Elfrank)

I mentioned last week that I wanted to take time to introduce you to some very special women in my life. Today I’m going to start with my Great grandma Mary Caroline ESTES (Elfrank) from my mom’s side.

Great grandma Mary Caroline ESTES (Elfrank) was born 11 November 1886 in Lutesville, Bollinger, Missouri. Her parents were Pinkey Dallas Estes, 1850-1933 and Mary Eveline Limbaugh, 1849-1932. On the 25 of December 1912 she married Fred Herman Elfrank in Jackson, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. A member of the Presbyterian Church of Lutesville, she was active in church work for a number of years, serving as secretary and treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the church board. She was a charter member and a past matron of Eastern Star Lodge of Lutesville. She served as a past officer for both the Woman's Club and the Past Matrons' Club. Great grandma Elfrank pasted away 3 September 1953 in Lutesville, Bollinger, Missouri; she was buried with Eastern Star Rights.

My great grandma Elfrank passed away before I was born, so I don’t have any memories of her but I do have this photograph and my mom’s memories. When I asked my mom what she remembered, she couldn't think of a lot right off, but once she started to remember many other memories started to follow. In the photo above my mom recalls that great grandma Elfrank always had Asparagus ferns sitting in the pots, which flank both sides of the stairs. My mom still has one of those pots that she pulls out every so often to display in the house. Great grandma Elfrank was a very religious lady that was set in her ways, she would always use the best china and crystal when setting the table and expected proper manners at all times. She wouldn't allow my great grandpa Elfrank to even smoke in the house; he would have to step outside in the shed. She played the organ in church and even gave piano lessons in their home on the baby grand. My mom recalls that when she was younger, great grandma Elfrank would make all of her dresses and sing “Baby Face” to her.  As my mom was remembering her grandma I could hear the love and laughter in her voice that she had for her grandmother, I only wish I could have known her. I never got the chance to meet her and I can’t help but to cry, laugh and wish she were still around.

Pictured in the photo above you will see in front my mom, Debra ELFRANK (Langston), my uncle, LeRoy ELFRANK. In the back from left to right my grandma, Martha Colleen CLINTON (Elfrank), my grandpa, Fred Henry ELFRANK and my great grandma, Mary Caroline ESTES (Elfrank). This is the only photo of my great grandma Elfrank that I've been able to locate. It was taken in front of great grandma and great grandpa Elfrank’s home in Lutesville. 

Matrilineal Monday

     I want to give some well-deserved focus to some of the strongest women in my life. If it wasn't for these 

women I wouldn't be here today, wouldn't be who I am, wouldn't have this wonderful family and be so 

strong willed.

Great grandma: Mary Caroline Estes (Elfrank)

Great grandma: Essie Mae Stewart (Clinton)

Great grandma: Emma Josephine Harenberg (Hopper)

Great grandma: Aline Marie Smith (Langston)

Grandma: Martha Colleen Clinton (Elfrank)

Grandma: Lena Kathleen Hopper (Langston)

Grandma: Doris Ann CAMPBELL (Benton, Langston)

My mom: Debra Sue Elfrank (Langston)

      Every one of these women played a special role in my life some way or another. I just wish they were all around now so I could thank each one of them. Over the next few weeks on every Monday I plan on introducing you to each of them a little more. With the help of some collected photos, letters, stories and memories from my mom and me.   We have all come to a point at one time or another wishing we would have said or done something more. I guess this is my way and time to express that, with some laughter and a few tears. 

Surname Saturday - Gray

The surname I’m sharing with you today comes from my father’s side. Cornelia Josephine Gray, she married Charles Harenberg. Cornelia died in 1890 after giving birth to my great grandmother, Emma Josephine Harenberg, in Missouri. I’ve run into a very large wall with Cornelia Josephine Gray, she showed up on a 1880 census, age 14, mulatto and a servant to the Ellis family, John C. Ellis of  South River, Marion, Missouri. I’m unable to locate anything about her childhood, who her parents are and where she came from. Special note is that she only shows up on the 1880 census.