Posted on by Michelle Anderson

A Jorden Reunion

It’s funny how you can remember things. Especially things that occurred when you were a child. For me, the barn is what I remember most. Bold and red and imposing. And a bee sting. And the hills. And it seemed like we drove forever to get where we were going. Once we got to Beardstown and then the Schroeder family farm, there was so much. So many people, where the only ones I knew were my parents, brothers, aunts, and uncles. Yet I was told we are all family. And the hills. I was not used to them, especially to farm on. My father’s family farm was in the flat plains of Illinois. This area is not flat. And as Tiny gave us a tour, I thought to myself, “How do they farm here?”

It’s not impossible to farm in the Bluff Springs area where Tiny’s farm sits, but it is harder. Soil quality is good and well-drained. However, the slope is moderate to steep in places, with the erosion risk being moderate to high. This leaves the only options for the steepest areas used for timber or pasture. Farming in moderately sloped areas is usually done by terracing to create the desired farmland.

On this day in June of 1980 there were many Jorden’s gathered on the Schroeder farm. But why was it called Schroeder and not Jorden? Emma Jorden, sister of our Bill Jorden Sr., had married William Schroeder and they lived on the farm in the Bluff Springs area. They had 4 children, all sons. Edwin, born in 1921, Herbert, born in 1922, Lloyd, also known as “Tiny,” born in 1923, and Alfred, born in 1924. Our Bill Jorden Jr, stayed with Emma and Uncle Billy at times when his father was working for the railroad. 

All the way to the left, I believe, is Ed Schnepper, then we have our Bill, Ruth, David, Rita, Betty Schnepper, and Margaret Triss gathered. I love how Bill is wearing his ball cap jauntily. In the garage, you can see open on the right where tables of food are. It takes a lot of food to feed a lot of Jordens.

Here we have Tiny and his daughter Carol, with Aunt Gretchen seated to the right. When I would hear Bill talk about Tiny, the farm was always discussed, too. What I didn’t know, perhaps because we are talking about humble individuals who were not boastful about their accomplishments, is that Tiny served in World War II. He enlisted and served in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945 in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater, where he participated in seven major campaigns. He initially landed in Africa and moved north to join the D-Day forces in Berlin, and was one of five American soldiers to enter Hitler’s Chancellery prior to the Russian Occupation. His military occupation was laying communication cable, which he carried out for Patton’s Third Army and for the Potsdam Conference. I just remember him being a lot of fun as he told us a lot about the farm and the land during our tour.

So while I was first drawn to this photo because of the barn I remembered, it turned into a whole lot more for me, and I hope it will for you too.

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

November – are we ready for you?

Well ready or not here comes November. I was looking at the calendar this week while it was still October and thinking about what I have planned for November and December. I’m going to try to end the year with a bang and hope you will enjoy the upcoming content. May we all have a warm place to be this fall as temperatures turn cold, unless you’re in the South in which case, I wish I was there with you. But there’s nothing like the changing seasons and fall is one of my favorite. It reminds me that I have a LOT to be thankful for indeed. May you have a great week and if you aren’t yet subscribed to the page you can do so if you choose so you don’t miss any of the upcoming posts.

PS I hope you all remembered to turn your clocks back last night 🙂

Posted on by Michelle Anderson

We Had Special Grandparents

Last week, on the other blog pages, I wrote about grandparents, my father’s mother, and my husband’s great-grandmother. Today, I’m writing about our Bill and Jean Jorden. Parents first, wonderful grandparents, and outstanding great-grandparents. 

When I found this photo all I could do was sit and stare at it. I didn’t remember ever seeing a photo taken with both my grandparents and just my brother Mark and myself. There were always other people in any photo taken with the Jorden’s. Not that it is a bad thing at all! There are a lot of us, so to find this photo of just the four of us amazed me. 

Bill was the only grandfather I ever “knew”. My paternal grandfather had died when I was 3 years old and I have few memories of him. Bill received all my grandpa hugs, all my grandpa jokes, all my grandpa laughs. To me he was the inventor of the family. As large as life itself and just as great. Able to appreciate the birds and trees and teach us all how to filet a fish. I’ll never forget when he told me I hadn’t hit the fish hard enough on the head. I miss his fried fish. 

I could go on and on about what made Bill Jorden an amazing grandfather, but I’d be preaching to the choir. They tell me that he was also amazing on the job, but to me, Bill shined with his family.

When I was 10, I asked my parents if I could be called Shelly.  I knew a girl in school with that name and thought it would be cool and easier to spell.  My mom said if I had wanted you called Shelly I would have named you that.  So, no fun names for me. But Bill, he had a nickname for me.  He’d always called me ’Chell.  He made me feel special.  To date, there have been only three people to call me that: my grandfather, my brother, and my husband.  The last time I saw him, he couldn’t hear very well, but once he figured out it was me, he’d pat me on the cheek and say ” ‘Chell’s here.” Still large as life to me and just as special.

My grandmother made everyone feel unique and seen.  I don’t know how she did it with 12 grandchildren, but she did.  While she would share news of my cousins when she visited, or we were there, she’d always ensure her focus was on you.  She knew what we all liked and would ensure we’d have that to do with her.  I’ve never met anyone equal to her in games, especially cards.  And words, too.  Jean excelled at any game, puzzle, or teaser that had words in it.  While I enjoy boggle, I still have memories of her finding so many more words than I do that it’s hard for me to play.  

I know that my family feels the same as I do, that we’d love one more opportunity to be in Bill and Jean’s presence. For now, our memories and photos will have to do. Until that day, we are once more reunited, and we can tell them thank you for making us all feel so loved. 

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