Rain this morn. stops threshing today. Went to Red Bud to Waterloo this afternoon. McKonky [editor’s note – I believe she means Kumke here since she had crossed out McKonky and wrote in Kumke in yesterday’s post]. is at Evansville parlor, will also be buried there tomorrow morn. Mueth was on wrong side of slap & no lights they thing. Awful hot this afternoon 80 [degrees]. Everything closed at Waterloo. Leo & family came, went to Red Bud to Dr. Pautler with Marita, she has sores on her arm, gave her salve to put on. Emil came over, wasn’t much fire works put on in town. Ed Brand & wife are here from Alb. [Alabama] at Heyl’s at Waterloo, stop over at Emils, on way home from a trip to river, also at Levi’s.
Sunday, July 4, 1937
Went to mass, new pastor Fr. Spors, about 45 pretty nice man. Leo & Rose came down for dinner brought truck back. This afternoon Uncle Fred & A. [Aunt] Mary & J. [Josie] Keller came, all had supper here, went fishing this afternoon had fish fry, sure good. Bert [Bertille] went along home with Leo & went to free dance at Totsch at Paderborn, Skaers playing; Boy was this town hot on firecrackers, & what a noise, 3 days. We had nice rain this afternoon.
I Am Here Because Of Immigrants
Today in America we celebrate Independence Day. It is a good day. It is a day that makes me reflect on my immigrant ancestors. I wonder what they felt when they celebrated their first 4th of July. Was it momentous to them? Were they proud to live in America? Were they happy they made the sacrifices they did to come over?
My family history’s immigration stories happened around the 1850’s/1860’s for the majority of the branches. There is one branch (looking at you Dunlap line) that I don’t have that date as of yet. [Isn’t there always that one line??]
They came over to escape hardship. They came over to escape conscription. They came over as single men/women. They came over as families with young children in tow. They came over mostly from Germany and Ireland. They were all seeking something more.
I hope that America exceeded their expectations. I hope their road to and within the U.S. was paved with easy choices and few turmoils but we all know that is never the case. They struggled. They persevered. Most of all, they stayed and didn’t give up.
Perhaps they didn’t have any other choice.
I have a shirt that reads “I am my Ancestors’ Wildest Dream.” I truly believe each and every one of us is just that. When you look at your roots and where your family began and then look to how your life is now, it is pretty amazing. And just like them, we have troubles, we have hard choices but also like them, we do not give up.
Happy Independence Day! May you never forget where you came from and where you are going.
Be Your Ancestors’ Wildest Dream.
**Where did your immigrant ancestors come from? How long has America been home for the branches of your family tree?**
Saturday, July 4, 1936
Boy! the shooting in town; terrible way late in the nite. Sure hot weather these days’ 96 & 100 today. Uncle Fred & Aunt Mary & Rose went to Harrisonville to Catholic Church pinic [sic], had chicken supper there, & came home. German Band from Belleville played. Free dances all over, Log Cabin by Red Bud, Floraville, Dreamland Palace.
Thursday, July 4, 1935
Holiday. Boy! the cars going down. Papa went to see Schaefers & Wm. Ganley. this afternoon him & Rose went out to Henry’s. Hilda is out there, she has 2 weeks vacation now. Jo Keller was by Lizzie Boll’s all day, came here for supper, stayed awhile. We went to Geo. Wagner’s this evening, kids had a few spit devil firecrackers. Sister Angelonia, Frank Mueth daughter, & Mrs. Vic Eichenseer’s sister died at Alton this morning, after an operation of 18 days; will be buried tomorrow morning at Indiania [sic]. Sure hot today again; at noon.
Wednesday, July 4, 1934
Holiday. Hy Armstutz bought load hay for $5.00 here. Uncle Fred came up with Oscar Birkner’s car, took it to Probst to get repaired, he worked down here so long; Frank Birkner is threshing now, Aunt Mary is there & the rest of the crew. We went over to Wagner’s celebrated 4 July, the kids had a few sparkler.
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