Almost Wordless Wednesday

Danker and Duntemann women on the Danker Farm.
Riverview, Illinois (Now Des Plaines, Illinois)
Henrietta Danker is wearing the plaid dress.
Her mother, Julia, has a hat on.
about 1915

Amanuensis Monday - Henrietta Danker to Oscar and Emma Solum - November 1, 1916

Henrietta Danker, age 9, lived in Riverview, Cook, Illinois. Riverview is now Des Plaines, Illinois. She was writing to her Aunt Emma and Uncle Oscar Solum of Chicago, Illinois.

                                                                                                          

                                                                                                  Nov. 1st 1916

                                                       Dear Auntie and uncle.

                                                       I havent got much to

                                                       say but I want to thank

                                                       you for the halloween

                                                       present but when we 

                                                       got it the paper was

                                                       tore and everything was

                                                       upset Anna Schumann

                                                       was here yesterday and

                                                       for once we didnt fight

                                                       You better come out once

                                                       more then after while

                                                       we will have more time.

                                                       Bring uncle Oscar along

                                                       and he can eat all the carrots

                                                       he wants Come and get some 

                                                       turnips.

                                                      Your neice Henrietta

                                                             Danker

                                                      Thousands of kisses

                                                      and hugs from mamma

                                                      and I

A Old Fashioned Winter Memory

This winter has tested my midwestern hardiness. Frigid temperatures drive us inside. Cars are breaking down. Schools are closing and weathermen warn us to stay home. This winter makes me think about a story my Grandmother told once me.

Grandma was raised on a farm not far from O’Hare Airport long before the airport existed. Horse and wagon were their mode of transportation in those days and Grandma remembered how valuable their horses were. On those very cold winter days, such as we have been having of late, the horses would remain in the barn and the family would walk to church. There was no sense in risking their horses’ health even for church.

Stay warm!

Linda

November 1, 1916

Life’s treasures, the most special ones, have a way of surviving generations. My maternal grandmother, Henrietta Danker, wrote her Aunt Emma and Uncle Oscar Solum. The Solums lived in Chicago and the Dankers lived on a farm outside of Chicago. Emma was the younger sister of Julia Duntemann, mother of Henrietta.

Emma and Julia saved the letters, which were passed to Henrietta. Upon Henrietta’s death the letters passed to her only surviving child, my mother. Upon my mother’s passing the letters came to me. All Grandma’s letters closed with variations of this closing:

Thousands of kisses and hugs from momma and I

 Linda

Those Thursday Places: Spruce Street

Real Estate has been on my mind lately and reminds me of a real estate opportunity that offered a genealogical twist. Several years ago I had attended a luncheon where my mother’s best friend offered the comment, “Your Grandmother’s house is for sale.”

Mom’s friend, Grace, lived close to my paternal grandparents’ home. After considering what her comment I realized that I would love to see my Grandma’s house just one more time. I took a drive by Grandma’s Spruce Street home only to discover it wasn’t for sale! Instead, just two doors down, my maternal great grandparent’s home was for sale! I quickly made an appointment for a showing.

Now for a bit of history . . .

William and Julia Danker, married 4 April 1896, were general farmers in the rural community of Riverview just south of O’Hare International Airport. They raised their only child (my grandmother), Henrietta, on their Touhy Avenue farm. Sometime between 1910 and 1920 William and Julia made the move to Spruce Street where they remained for many years. I have yet to check on the Spruce Street property transfers and it is something I definitely must do to understand relationship of the house story and my family story.

William, Henrietta and Julia Danker

Great Grandfather William Danker died 7 September 1939. His death record confirms Des Plaines (formerly Riverview) as his place of residence; which is the location of his Spruce Street home. At the time of the 1940 census Julia lived with Henrietta’s family in Chicago most likely a result of William’s death.

It is unknown exactly where Julia lived during the 1940s and 1950s. Did she remain with her daughter’s family in Chicago? Did she return to her Spruce Street home in Des Plaines? 

Julia’s 1949 death and Henrietta’s husband, William Dollen, 1950 death caused Henrietta and her two children to move back to her parents’ Spruce Street home. Curiosity is killing me. Did Henrietta inherit the Spruce Street house? Probate and property records should answer the question of home ownership. Now there is one more research project for me!

The Dollen Family now lived in the Danker house a mere two doors down from my paternal grandparents and their four handsome sons. Love was in the air on Spruce Street for my Mother swept her front porch clean just long enough to catch my father’s eye.

Mom and Dad were married and had their wedding reception in the Danker/Dollen Spruce Street home. Nine months later I arrived and spent my early months of life in that same Danker/Dollen Spruce Street home.

It was quite a treat to walk through my first childhood home that housed four generations of my Mother’s family all because of the comment, “Your Grandmother’s house is for sale!”

The Living Room

The porch my mother swept clean has been enclosed.

A small alcove that may have been my nursery.

The second floor with original flooring and walls.

Kitchen & Pantry

My very tall and happy real estate broker.

Linda

Wisdom Wednesday

My maternal grandmother offered these words of wisdom:

Kids and Fools Tell The Truth!

I know she meant every word.
Love you, Grandma!

Linda