Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Jeremiah Miller

Jeremiah Miller

I didn’t want to look.  There are just some things that you know will take time and I admit that I didn’t want to do it.  I’ve had this photo since I’ve started scanning family photos.  This is Jeremiah Miller father to our Isaac Geoff Miller.  On first glance he looks like so many in our family.  His face is at once familiar to me.  I see that kindness in his eyes that I have seen daily through my fathers eyes.  I see the humor in his mouth that I can see in my brothers mouths.  Through his wife Rhoda we can trace our ancestors to the Revolutionary War.  And perhaps that is why I didn’t want to look, because I felt that I would find nothing interesting about Jeremiah.  

Jeremiah was born March 16, 1826 in Allegany County, Maryland to Captain John Jacob Miller and Catherine Jacobs Bungard.  He had 5 siblings born to John and Catherine.  His mother died when he was 17 and his father remarried to a woman named Nancy Michaels and they had two children before John’s death in 1862.

When Jeremiah was 19 he married Rhoda Jacobs on September 15, 1848 in Allegany County, Maryland.  Allegany is situated in the pan-handle part of Maryland situated between Pennsylvania to the North and West Virginia to the South.  At the time of the 2020 census the population of Allegany was over 68 thousand individuals. Jeremiah and Rhoda started their married life there in Allegany County near family.   All in all I counted 10 children being born to Jeremiah and Rhoda.  

All in all I counted 10 children born to Jeremiah and Rhoda

     * Jane - 1848 - Records show a daughter Jane was born in 1848, but no date is given for her birthday.  At the time of the 1850 census the Millers listed Jane as being one year old so her birthdate could be in 1849.   She’s listed in the 1850 census, but not on the 1860 census.  
	* James - born December 13, 1849 died August 26, 1862 at age 12 - I believe he was born in 1850 instead of 1849.  
	* Mandana - born October 5, 1852 died June 7, 1911 at age 58 in Elgin, Illinois

Mandana was the last of their children to be born in Maryland.  Between her birth in 1852 and her sisters Mary birth in 1855 the family moved to Ogle County, Illinois.  

	* Mary - born December 14, 1855 was listed as deaf in the  1870 census.  She died at age 87 in Rockford, Illinois.  
	* Lorenzo - born April 8, 1856 died July 23, 1925 in Walnut, Illinois at age 69.
	* Rachael - born March 10, 1859 died September 6, 1898 at age 39
	* Jesse born July 23, 1864, died June 24, 1876 at age 12. 

On September 21, 1864 Jeremiah enlisted in the F Company of the 178th Infantry Regiment in Ohio of the Union Army as a Private.  His date of discharge was May 31, 1865 at Camp Dennison in Ohio.  

	* Isaac - our Isaac was born October 25, 1866 and died December 27, 1949 at age 83.  
	* Libby - born February 6, 1869 and died May 31, 1876 at age 7.  
	* Infant Son - a final son of Jeremiah and Rhoda’s was born and died on October 10, 1871

Jeremiah and Rhoda continued to live and farm in Ogle County, Illinois until Jeremiah’s death on October 5, 1903.  I found Rhoda listed living with Isaac’s family in the 1910 census.  I just love the census, you can get so much information from it.  

While I started out looking at Jeremiah I didn’t know how full of treasure his life was.  May we all lead lives a full as Jeremiah’s. 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Uncles Day

Wayne Miller, Michelle Miller, Mark Miller and Randy Schneidermann

I have been blessed to be born to a family that forges strong relationships.  At the time of this photo, we lived in Shelburn, Indiana just a quick 5 hour drive away.  While Mark and I were not able to live in the same area as our extended family, when we visited they made up for it.  

Uncle Wayne and Uncle Randy allowed us to tag after them being their shadows wherever they went.  And that meant we too got up early and did chores with Grandma Miller and the Uncles.  One job we had was to walk in front of the tractor and shoo away the turkeys so that they could be fed.  Another was to catch the just born piglets for shots and teeth trimming.  One of the best jobs I ever had was helping them with their chores.  I’m sure we would frustrate them with all our questions and energy, but they never showed it or treated us any differently.  

So today, I make it honorary UNCLES DAY and I thank them for all the support and encouragement they have given to their nieces and nephews over the years.  

Even though this photo says March 1972, I don’t think that it was taken then but perhaps the year earlier and Eunice just didn’t have it developed until then.  

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Michelle, Mark and Joyce Miller on a sunny day outside the Miller farmhouse
Posted on by Michelle Anderson

80 Years Young

Raymond Miller

Tomorrow is a big day for us in my Miller family.  Tomorrow my dad turns 80.  Most of my life, I’ve not thought much about age.  At first it seemed like it took forever for me to get from birthday to birthday.  Suddenly after I had children the years seemed to come quicker and quicker until suddenly it’s the day before my dad turns 80!  

When Raymond was born in 1942, the average wage per year was $1,880.00.  A house would cost you about $3,770.00 to buy or about $35.00 a month to rent.  A new car was about $920.00 and a Coke would cost you 5 cents.  America was now involved in World War II which meant a mobilization of war efforts with car makers and other manufacturers changing to producing weapons of war.  The minimum draft age was lowered from 21 to 18.  Everyone was asked to do their part in helping with the war effort. 

Things were more challenging on the Miller farm when Raymond was born.  There was no running water or electricity in the house at that time.  A struggle that many of us have never experienced.  However, just because it was different didn’t mean that the normal daily things didn’t get done.  They just were completed a little differently.  

I have learned many things from my dad.  The correct way to start a camp fire, how to drive on ice, how to make ghoulash and how to change a tire.   The most important things I would say I’ve learned from him is the faith in the Lord that he has shared with me and his perseverance.   As many do, my family has seen it’s share of struggles.  But my father’s integrity and perseverance taught me that when you are trustworthy, honest and do the right thing even when it’s not easy you can accomplish much. 

So tomorrow Raymond, as you tell people this is the 51st anniversary of your 29th Birthday, may you know how loved, appreciated and treasured you are Raymond Miller.  May you have a great day and a wonderful year.  

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Lovely Spring Day

Wayne, Raymond and Wava (Miller) Schneiderman – Date Unknown

We’ve had glorious spring weather this week and I thought that we needed a glorious spring photo!  

There was no information on the back of this photograph.  We can tell that the subjects are Wayne, Raymond and Wava in their cute little spring outfits.   I’m not sure where the photo was taken, but assume it was in the front yard there at Kermit and Eunice’s. It appears that it might be this time of year, perhaps just having turned into spring. There are no visible leaves on the trees, but it’s warm enough for Wava to be in a dress. And isn’t she cute. Wayne does not appear too happy to be having his photo taken.  And Raymond looks like the older brother helping out with Wava and Wayne where needed.  

May we all have such beautiful weather where we are.  And if you have gray weather may their sunny smiles brighten your day. 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Barren Landscape

In going through photos I came across this one.  There is nothing written on it to inform us of where this may be.  The stamped date by the photo developer said APRIL 1938.  While it could have been taken at that time, I believe it was taken during the winter months.  Based on other photos that were taken with it, I believe the photographer was either our Kermit or Eunice.  

It is the sole photo like this on the roll of film.  And I ask myself, why?   Perhaps it was to document damage on the property.  But it could have been something else entirely.  10 years prior to this photo, Ansel Adams had begun taking photographs of nature and landscapes in and around Yosemite.  In researching, I found many photo galleries offered classes on how to take photographs this way.  Perhaps this was an attempt at taking a “pure landscape” photograph.  

I find it very intriguing the contrast of the dark bare trees and white sky and frozen field.  And while I haven’t found any other photographs like this, perhaps we can look upon it as the gift it is.  A moment in which nature will always be forever in winter.  

However, cold the winter, 
however dark the night hours, 
the dawn is sure to come.  
Each sunrise and every sunset
has so much warmth to bring.  
However cold the winter, 
it always ends in spring.

By – Garnett Ann Schultz 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Kermit, Tired

As I look at this photo of Kermit I’m struck by two things.  One, I never saw Eunice use this door, so to see Kermit sitting outside on that stoop intrigues me.  I wonder why he’s sitting there of all places?  And then as I look at him, even though it’s blurry, I feel the tiredness that he seems to feel.  The definition of tired is to feel in need of rest of sleep.  And then I wonder if Kermit himself felt tired.  Was it just for a full days work or could it have been more? 

I have been blessed with an extremely entitled life.  I’ve never known hunger or want for basic items to live.  I’ve been encouraged to voice how I feel and told that people are proud of me for a job well done.  I’ve never been denied entry based on the color of my skin.  And I’ve never had to stand up and demand to be seen as a certain gender.  While the only battle I have to fight is that of being a woman and making less than my male counterparts, I have a good job. But I imagine that any of those things would be enough to make one tired.  And when you’re tired, it makes everything hard.  Even just life is hard. Hard to get up.  Hard to keep going.  Hard just to be. You need rest from the struggle.  To just be able to exist and feel productive.    Being tired is such a negative that at times it’s easy to listen to that inner voice that tells you a task is too great for you to accomplish.  

This past year was hard.  I’d gone a whole year without getting Covid and then once I had it, I felt paralyzed by it.  My very presence threatened others, my grandson, my children, my spouse, my parents.  All I wanted to was to be comforted by my mother, because let’s face it who doesn’t want their mom when they are sick, and that was the last thing that was possible.  After I healed and returned to work but I didn’t return to society.  I was scared of the thought of getting covid again and It took me several months before I realized that mentally, I was tired. And that the only way I could make it better was to rest my brain.  I read 200 books last year.  I will probably never read that many again, but it was because of Covid that I did.  Reading helped my mind rest and escape from being tired.  I could then look around, rested and think what can I do right now to help?  To make every person I meet and every situation I’m in a little better?  So at the end of the day I’m tired, but it’s because of a job well done.  

I encourage us all to find something we care about, making hats for the homeless, putting up a free library at your house, volunteering at your local animal shelter, taking meals to seniors, something that you can be proud of how you changed the world for someone and made it a better place.  I think Kermit would be proud of us all for that and say “Good Job, now have a rest” 

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Automobile Who’s Who?

Today when it’s perhaps more fun to travel by plane or train, many of us might have forgotten how wonderful it is to travel by automobile.  The automobile changed the way America lived.  By 1910 there were about 500,000 vehicles in the United States.  It wasn’t just the large manufacturers like Henry Ford and Ransom Olds.  Many large towns had their own auto manufacturers.  Automobiles were fast, comfortable nice to drive and ever ready. No longer did you have to hitch a team to take a quick trip to town.  I’ve hitched teams and let me tell you there’s nothing quick about it.  But going out and starting an automobile is all about fast.

This was a postcard and unfortunately there were no identifiers of who is who on the back of it.  This photograph came out of a trunk with Jennie May Woods Bosque’s memorabilia in it. Jennie May is the beloved sister to our Bertha. She married Earnest Bosque of Streator and perhaps this photograph is of his family.   I wonder if it was a brighter photograph when it was first taken and time and light faded it. Many photographers traveled and would take photos with whatever individuals desired.  Automobiles were a popular choice as they were new and everyone who had one was proud of it.   And it’s a practice that continues today as we all like to take photos with our cars.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Winter Fun

While scanning negatives one day I came across these photos of what I believe is Isaac and Lydias homestead in winter.  Ahh winter, so much fun when the earth is asleep under a blanket of snow.  Winter use to be fun for me. I’d spend hours outside enjoying the day and playing with friends and my brothers, until our fingers and feet were frozen and we absolutely had to go inside to warm up.  The older I get it’s not so much fun.  Drivers in Kansas do not know how to drive when the roads get slick and my body does not do so well in the cold.  However, there’s nothing like a good snowfall, I just wish I was a kid again.  There’s nothing better then waking up to see snow and learn there’s no school.  Perhaps some Danny I can appreciate winter that way again, until then I have this lovely poem by Robert Frost to see me through to spring.  

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

Whose woods are these I think I know. 
His house is in the village though; 
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow. 

My little horse must think it's queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year. 

He gives his harness bells a shake
to ask if there is some mistake. 
The only other sound's the sweep
of easy wind and downy flake.  

The woods are lovely, dark and deep, 
but I have promises to keep
And miles to go before I sleep. 
And miles to go before I sleep. 
 - Robert Frost
Posted on by Michelle Anderson

Tent Fun

This weekend many of us or our friends will take to the wilderness to celebrate the Fourth of July. There’s something about sleeping out under the stars with no other light pollution that is exciting and relaxing. To get away from our normal settings and feel like we are “roughing it” has been a favorite pastime of many. I’m all for being in the wilderness I just want to camp with my bed and comforts of home.

Several years ago, I brought you a photo of Raymond, Wava and Wayne outside a tent looking every bit camping enthusiasts. While I was scanning negatives, I found these precursors to that camping fun. I just love this tiny tent. I am very entranced with the tent door. There’s not bug netting or even floor, but this tent would be great cover when needed. I bet it was Kermits as I have found many photos of him fishing.

In the first photo we have Eunice holding Wava and Wayne with Raymond next to them. Then we have a great photo of big brother Raymond and little sister Wava. You can really see the door to the tent and even a little inside the tent. How exciting for the kids to see the tent and get to play in it. Imagining that they too were camping or perhaps traveling to distant shores. Learning that a tent is really a portable house and with a roof over your head one can go anywhere. If you have chosen to rough it this weekend may your travels be safe and your bug bites few.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson · 1 Comment

Positive Negatives

Bertha Kramer – date unknown – Streator, Illinois

This weekend our Kramer family came together to celebrate what would have been Aunt Alice’s 110th birthday. So I thought it would be nice to show off her mother, Bertha Ary Woods Kramer in some negatives I found. I enjoy scanning negatives. Until you scan them you don’t know what kind of photo you’re going to get. It might be something really great like this photo above, or you might wind up with a double exposure or a photo cut off because it’s the last photo in the film strip. Any way you look at it negatives are great!

In 1943, after farming for 35 years on a farm outside of Streator, Bertha and her husband William moved in to ‘town” to live. I believe this is their residence at 909 N Monroe Street in Streator, Illinois. William died January 11, 1949.

I just love Bertha’s dress. You can’t tell where her dress ends and the apron begins. I wonder what the colors were. Did they go together as well as the photo might have us believe? And I also wonder what she might be gripping in her pocket or if her hand was just placed there out of habit? And while it seems to be a nice warm day, the flowers or bushes at the house seem to be barren.

Let’s not forget the children. They do not look familiar to me but with 9 children, I bet she had a lot of grandchildren. While they could have been playing together and just came to get in the photo with grandma Bertha, they seem to be spaced oddly as well. Below we have another photo taken at the same time showing two children who I do not recognize and a woman with a camera in her hands. From this photo you can tell that there are leaves on the trees, so perhaps its a nice spring or summer day. I love the woman’s skirt and shirt combo and her hair is cute, nicely done. I’m hoping someone will recognize the children and the woman and let me know who they are.

While I wasn’t able to be with them in Cullom this past weekend, I hope those that were there had a great meal, shared great stories and enjoyed the time together.

with Bertha Kramer, Streator, Illinois, Date unknown