Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Unknown Eunice & Kermit

This weekend, Nathan Schneiderman married his Emily, and I’ve enjoyed seeing all the photos from picturesque Mexico. It looks like they’ve had a lovely time and many blessings on their union. When I looked to see what photo I had planned for today I discovered it was a photo I’d already done. So I got to looking through some pictures I still need to scan and came across these lovelies. And since I believe Kermit and Eunice were at the ocean, I wanted to share them.

Ok, I don’t know for sure they are at the ocean, but now tell me if I’m wrong, I do not see Eunice getting her feet wet, shoes and all, to go in any body of water that’s not an ocean! Based on the style of her hair and some other photos I have in which she looks similar, I think that these photos were taken around 1955. I love that they got as close to the ocean as possible. The first time I saw it and was able to go in, I was in jeans, and nothing was going to stop me from putting my feet in the Atlantic. In the middle photo, it looks like there might be a pier or a water break.

Now, my dad says that Kermit and Eunice would go to the Florida Keys with family friends, but to me, these don’t look like Florida. I could be wrong, but Eunice’s coat looks too hefty for the warm Florida temperatures. At first, I thought Kermit had something on his tie, but I believe that’s just the design. But Eunice is wearing a lovely corsage on her coat. I’m left wondering and wishing I knew where they’d gone and what they were doing, as it looks like they were having a lot of fun.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

A Bright Future

Here we have Brinton, Isaac, Kermit and Lydia on a brisk bright day. Unfortunately, we don’t have a date on the back of this photo, but I would assume it was taken in the 1920s based on how young Brinton, Kermit, and Lydia look. Since the image is a little out of focus, their clothing does not give us any clues as to the date of the photo. While I’d like to say it was winter time as there are no leaves on the trees, it could be early spring or late fall.

Brinton was Kermit’s brother, senior by 13 years.  He was a pastor and had a church in Streator.  That’s how Kermit met Eunice.  At first, I thought the photo might have been taken at the Miller farm, but I don’t think so based on the house you can see in the background. Maybe the Millers had been visiting Brinton, and it was his house they are next to.

For some reason, when I see this photo I think of Bonnie and Clyde or John Dillinger, criminals of that time. Maybe it’s how Isaac is standing with his hat shadowing his eyes with his long coat and hand in his pocket. Or perhaps it’s Kermit standing behind him with his jaunty cap and easy stance. Or the fact that Lydia and Britton don’t have a hat on. Since Brinton was a pastor, I know he wasn’t a criminal, but for some reason, my brain has already written a story about the infamous adventures of the Miller Gang. Don’t you think it would be a bestseller?

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Christmas 1980

I think I might have brought you this photo already, perhaps years ago. But I was feeling nostalgic, and this photo made me feel good. Eunice writes on the back of this photo that this was taken at Christmas of 1980. I don’t know if we planned to be seated like this, but I love it! We have Matthew, Michelle, Judd holding Julie, Eunice holding Nicholas, Mark holding Isaac, Jennifer, and Kim. The Schneiderman’s bookend all the Millers. So Cute!!

While we are spread across the nation and celebrating with families of our own, I think back to these days when we were all together. While it’s been years since we were together, we remain family, which neither time nor distance can change. As we begin this holiday season, may you have peace and joy with some childlike wonder thrown in.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Turkeys…as far as the eye can see

Thanksgiving began as a celebration of the harvest and is all about giving without expecting anything in return. It was often declared a holiday, but on December 26, 1941, President Franklin D Roosevelt signed a proclamation declaring the US Thanksgiving holiday to be the 4th Thursday in November. Before this, Thanksgiving was celebrated on different days from state to state.

In 1621, the Native American Wampanoag tribe helped the colonists with agriculture and hunting, celebrating with a harvest feast. They dined on wild turkeys, ducks, geese, fish, corn, green vegetables, and dried fruits. Turkey, though, is a logical choice for the modern Thanksgiving Day dinner. When fully grown. a large turkey can feed many people.  Today, 88% of American families will eat turkey for their Thanksgiving dinner.

Here we have some turkeys, I believe, at the Miller farm. There’s no date on the photo, but it was in the same photo group as the photo of Eunice with the car, so I believe this was taken in the fall or winter of 1937. There are so many turkeys, and they are LARGE, too.

There are so many things I am thankful for this year, but at the very top of the list are all of you. Thank you for taking the time to engage with my blog posts on this website or social media. Your support and feedback are what inspire and motivate me to keep writing. Wishing you all a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday filled with the warmth and happiness of the season.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Remembering Ernest

I knew this story wasn’t gong to be a happy one. I just didn’t realize today was the day to tell it. Eunice had once told me about her Aunt Jennie who died too young after giving birth to a child. What she didn’t tell me about was her husband.

Jeannie Woods, sister to our Bertha married Ernest Bosque on July 2, 1921. Ernest was a veteran of the War to End all Wars, World War I. Ernest was also known as “Blackie” according to his obituary. He was a generous person willing to help in any project and generous in lending his presence and energy to his American Legion post.

I am unsure which of these men is Ernest, but know he must be among them. Ernest was a charter member of the Streator American Legion post. Ernest was sent with many from Streator and LaSalle County to Army training on April 3, 1918 to an eatern training camp, acccording to The Times a Streator newspaper. Each man was presents with a Red Cross comfort kit, which felt would be appreciated once they reached the camp.

I think Ernest was sent to France, in August of 1918. The time to transport was three weeks. And then he would have been in the thick of it. This war was dangerous and difficult, with lots of downtime and brief periods of fighting. The living conditions in the trenches were hard on the body and the soul. I can’t imagine what they faced day to day or the hardships they endured trying to return to their lives stateside.

When I first saw this card, I was unsure of what it was. It wasn’t until I removed it from the sleeve that I discovered it was a gas mask repair kit. While I want to discuss these memories of Ernest’s time in the Army, I am not knowledgeable of the struggles in the trenches and want to respect the equipment needed to sustain lives.

Ernest returned to Streator and married Jennie on July 2, 1921. Jennie and Ernest were married for a short time. She died on April 6, 1922 after giving birth to a son. Both mother and child did not survive. The newspaper reported how bereaved Ernest was at the death of his wife and child.

Ernest lived 2 more years before dying of pneumonia on January 21, 1925. Ernest “Black” Bosque was laid to rest by his wife and child on January 23, 1925 after lying in state at the American Leigon post the day before. His Legion brothers mounred his loss with sorrow and great sadness.

Please think of Ernest, Jennie and their child tomorrow on Veterans Day. May we remember them always.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Dio de Los Kramer Muertos

Since seeing Coco in 2018, I have dreamed about someday having an ofrenda. I know not what most people want but the message in Coco about family and ancestors spoke to me and I’ve wanted to find other ways to remember and talk about those family members who came before us.

The movie Coco centers around Dios de los Muertos or, for you non-Spainish speakers, Day of the Dead. Day of the Dead is a celebration that honors our deceased loved ones and welcomes their spirits back to Earth. This holiday is celebrated in Mexico Central America and by many Mexican Americans and me here in the United States. Using a “ofrenda”, or altar, photos of loved ones are placed to honor, remember, and keep their memories alive. I want to have somewhere I can showcase our ancestors and keep their memories alive. Since this year’s Dios de los Muertos is November 2 & 3, 2024, I thought now was the time for a tribute, Dios de los Muertos style.

I don’t think this young man is related to us, but his photo was in some pictures of Kramer ancestors. This is a photograph postcard popular from the late 1890s until about 1915. You could get your photo taken usually by a traveling photographer, and they would print it on a postcard, which you could send to family members who may live far away from you.

On the back is written George Faulkner, 100 Charles, Streator in pencil. I have looked through the Streator Census’ and directories from the 1890s through 1920 and have not been able to locate George. For this reason, I felt he was a great candidate for our ofrenda. He’s looks so young with the promise of the rest of his life ahead of him. And I’m not sure, but his eye’s look almost as if he’d been fighting, one’s open and the other appears to be swollen. But they both appear to be a bright shade of blue.

While I might not know his story, I can keep his memory alive here on my digital ofenda. May you have a Feliz Dia de los Muertos or Happy Day of the Dead!

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Clinton Snyder

Clinton DeWitt Snyder was born March 3, 1836 in Pennsylvania. But when you see this photo he doesn’t strike me as one who lived thru the Civil War. But the writing on the back of the photo, clearly states in Eunice’s handwriting, my great-grandfather, Clinton Snyder.

Who exactly was Clinton DeWitt Snyder? As i wrote above, Clinton was born on March 3, 1836 in Pennsylvania. None of the records I can find states an exact location. At some time, he migrated to Illinois, as he married his wife, Mary Jane Flanningan in Livingston, Illinois on October 11, 1860. Their union produced three children. Eunice’s grandmother Nancy was born May 6, 1861. Son Pillip was born January 29, 1865 and daughter Nora was born in 1870.

Son Phillip died Apil 9, 1911 at the age of 46. His wife had died 4 years earlier of Tuberculosis. I feel sad that he died before both his parents. No parent should have to bury their child no matter how old they are. Norah married a man named Frank Holland. She was married to him for 11 years before his death in 1901. She never remarried. They had two children. Our Nancy married William Perry Woods in 1892 and was married to him 8 years until his death in 1890. She lived 76 years and died, March 1, 1938.

Clinton died three years after Mary Jane on October 13, 1919, in Streator at the home of daughter Nora. The family had his service in the home and then buried him at the Phillips Cemetery outside of Streator, two days later.

I know there’s more to Clinton’s story, but I’m left with the facts of census’, birth records, death records and court records. Until I find out more, we have the facts of who he was.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Don & Ruby

Sometimes people come into our lives and are more like family than our own blood relatives. I think that could be said of our subjects for this weeks post, Don and Ruby Myers.

Ruby Myers was part of the church where Kermit and his family attended there in Adaline. Ruby had three older brothers who were painting contractors by trade and one younger sister. When Eunice married Kermit she automatically became a member of this fellowship group. Later Don, joined the group when he married Ruby.

When I asked Raymond if he knew Ruby’s maiden name he said Myers. Then I said I thought her married name was Myers, he said it was. I know you’re probably looking at this post the way that I was looking at Raymond, but let me assure you that Ruby and Don were not related, until they became married. I asked Raymond if he knew how they met and he said he did not Like the good genealogist I am, I started searching in ancestry.com records to see what I could find.

The first thing I found was the 1950 census. This recorded them living in Adeline. Raymond says they lived across the street from Bessie’s grocery store. First I looked at Ruby, listed as her occupation was stencil work and the industry a printing plant. Don and Ruby were listed as husband and wife on the census and Don’s occupation was bookbinder at a printing plant. When I told Raymond what Don’s occupation was he said that he had worked at Cables and that’s what it was a printing plant. I said do you suppose that’s how they met? He said he didn’t really know how Don and Ruby had met, but that whenever Kermit and Eunice would go off to a turkey show or sales event, that Don and Ruby would stay with them. In fact Don and Ruby were so much a part of the family that Kermit and Eunice had in their will listed the Myer’s as guardians for their children if something were to occur to them.

Don and Ruby were close friends with the Millers for their whole lives. As a child and later as a height-challenged adult, Don always seemed larger than life. His height and voice always struck me as more than what a normal person would have. He always had a smile and seemed so happy to sit and talk with you no matter what. And how he doted on Ruby. You could tell that he thought the sun rose and set on her.

Ruby passed away on October 28, 2011, at 94, in Mount Morris, Illinois. I never found the date of their marriage, but Don’s obituary stated that they were married in 1949. I also learned that Don served in World War II in the Navy on the USS Colorado, USS Antietam, and the USS Hancock as they fought in the Pacific Theater. Don died on February 7, 2024, at the age of 97, leaving our lives better for having experienced some of theirs.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Brothers

I don’t really like Webster’s definition of a “brother”. To me it’s very staid and clinical. It states that a brother is “a man or boy in relation to other sons and daughters of his parents”. It doesn’t tell you what brothers act like or how they treat one another.

Here we have two sets of brothers, Matthew and Nicholas Schneiderman and Mark and Isaac Miller. Matthew was 9 when Nicholas was born, Mark was 10 when Isaac was born. Both Nicholas and Isaac were the youngest children in the their families. Matthew and Nicholas are at Grandma’s house, Eunice Miller. Mark and Isaac are at our house in Ohio with great Aunt Alice in the background.

I don’t know any time in my life when I didn’t have my brother there. Mark and I are only 13 months apart, and I’m sure we were a handful for our parents. But having my brother so close to my age, I always had someone to play a game with, explore outside, or even pick a fight with. When we get together, those habits we formed in childhood are easy to pick up now that we are older. So once again, I have someone to play a game with, explore places, or even argue with. Since we both think we are right, those discussions can be quite fun.

I look at these photos and think of the men that these boys grew to be. A part of me see’s these little boys when I think of them. And I’m thankful for the men that they have grown to be for these little boys are still there.

I wish I had other photos with my cousins but these are the only ones that my family had. If you’d like to include you and your bother in this or future blog posts, jsut send me a message and I’d be happy to include you here.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Florida!

I love to go to Florida. The ocean, the warm breezes and sunshine, lots and lots of sunshine. During the winter Kermit and Eunice liked to go to Florida too. They started to go to Florida with their friends George and Lorraine McDonald. When they would go, usually Don and Ruby would stay with the kids. But one year, they all went for a wonderful week spent in the sunny shores of Florida.

Their trip started in Oregon, Illinois where they took the train to downtown Chicago. Once in Chicago they made their way to Midway From Midway, they flew on a DC7 aircraft which could carry 90 people to Miami. Then from Miami they rode on a Greyhound Bus to a place called The Greyhound Keys. This key is located half way between Miami and the Florida Keys. I found an aerial photo which I found interesting. It looks like a wonderful place to rest, relax and enjoy the sunshine that one so desperately seeks in the winter months.

The Greyhound Bus Company received permission from the interstate commerce commission to purchchase all of the Florida Motor Lines and changed the name to the Florida Greyhound Lines in 1945. Sometime in 1947 they began construction on the terminal and restaurant/rest stop facility. In 1955 the US Postal Service authorized a station post office with the name Greyhound Key. The postmaster was the restaurant manager.

In 1966 Kampgrounds of America purchased the island from the Greyhound Company and gave the island a new name, Fiesta Key. This island has been known as such ever since.

There were more photos then I usually work with for a posting so I took them and turned them into a movie. The year that the whole family went, George and Lorraine’s daughter went with them to Greyhound Key, she is in a photo with Wava. Even though spring is right aound the corner, I sure would like to be in Sunny Florida right now.